On December 16, 2024, at a joint press conference, the financial companies Activitis and VisionFund Ukraine announced their collaboration to support small and medium-sized businesses. The partnership between the companies, as announced at the press conference, includes:
- Expanding access to financing for micro, small, and medium businesses in Ukraine.
- Launching a programme for financing franchise businesses.
- Promoting joint initiatives in the non-bank sector to improve the regulatory environment and business ethics:
- Promoting clear and transparent rules in the financial market for the sustainable development of the industry and the attraction of new participants.
- Implementing international standards and best practices to enhance investor confidence and provide broader access to financing for small businesses.
- Attracting international investment and donor support to increase funding volumes and create mutually beneficial opportunities for micro, small, and medium businesses within the programmes of Activitis and VisionFund Ukraine.
This is the first example of collaboration between Activitis and VisionFund Ukraine, opening new horizons for the Ukrainian financial market through the exchange of international and local experience. Additionally, combining the global experience of VisionFund Ukraine with the local expertise of Activitis will help create innovative financial products tailored to the needs of Ukrainian entrepreneurs and promote financial inclusion. The development of a joint financing programme for franchises by Activitis and VisionFund Ukraine is an example of efforts aimed at supporting segments with the potential to become economic growth drivers but are currently facing a lack of funding.
The companies were represented at the conference by:
- Wesley Jordan — CEO of VisionFund Ukraine
- Pavlo Matiyash — CEO of Activitis
- Iryna Popova — COO of Activitis
Franchising is considered the safest way to start a business, as the franchisor provides an established and proven business model. For aspiring or existing entrepreneurs who want to launch a business under a franchise, the Activitis and VisionFund Ukraine programme offers a financing solution that provides the opportunity to obtain funding for opening a new franchise location based on a pre-analyzed and verified franchise model.
The programme announced by the companies is aimed at developing small businesses, creating jobs, and supporting the local economy by scaling successful business models. 80% of those interested in franchising are entrepreneurs with experience or managers who have accumulated funds for their own business. A significant portion of the franchisees are internally displaced persons seeking opportunities to develop their own businesses, as well as women aiming to start their own ventures.
One of the key obstacles to the stable development of franchising is the insufficient level of financing. Entrepreneurs are forced to rely on their own limited savings, which slows down growth. This issue will be addressed through the Activitis and VisionFund Ukraine programme.
