Through funding from the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, American Councils organized a Study Tour for the second cohort of the Ukrainian Business Leaders: Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship (UBL PIE) program. The Study Tour became the second and final part of the modified UBL PIE Program for the program finalists of 2022, who could not participate in the scheduled fellowship program due to Russia’s war on Ukraine.
During orientation in Washington, D.C., participants were welcomed by Ms. Sherry Keneson-Hall, Office Director Press and Public Diplomacy at the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, at the U.S. Department of State, Dr. David P. Patton, President and CEO of American Councils, and Her Excellency Oksana Markarova, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States.
The cohort also attended a discussion on current bilateral economic cooperation and opportunities led by leaders in marketing, sales, and international entrepreneurship. The panel organized with the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council, a partner of UBL PIE, provided participants with advice for starting a business with their American counterparts and encouraged them to find networking opportunities while in the United States. The first official day of the Study Tour concluded at the Embassy of Ukraine at the invitation of Ambassador Markarova. Ambassador Markarova welcomed the cohort with an open conversation on the history and the current work of the embassy.
The participants then traveled to Austin, Texas, where they met with representatives of the Texas Veterans Commission to learn about support networks for veteran entrepreneurs and how local nonprofits partner with Texas state agencies to provide holistic support to veterans and their families. The participants attended a workshop on customer data privacy law by Tracy Arrington, Assistant Professor of Practice, Stan Richards School of Advertising at The University of Texas at Austin.
While in Texas, the cohort engaged with the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute, the Austin Technology Incubator, and Texas Inventionworks, where they learned about women’s empowerment in business, product development, and global business affairs. The participants had an incredible opportunity to participate in the famous annual conference and festival South by Southwest and to attend the Startup Crawl at Capital Factory House, the center of gravity for entrepreneurs in Texas. The trip to Austin ended with a tour of the Texas State Capitol to enhance their understanding of American political systems.
The last stop on the UBL PIE tour was San Diego, California, organized with the San Diego Diplomacy Council. The group visited several marketing agencies, development centers, and nonprofits, including the World Trade Center San Diego, the University of California- San Diego Park and Market Community, and the Brink Small Business Development Center. Participants also discussed new marketing technology with Red Door Interactive, innovation-based companies with Brink Small Business Development Center, innovative solutions in workforce training with Kitchen for Good, and opportunities for microenterprises with the New American Museum.
The last element of the program was a visit to the House of Ukraine, a cultural museum in San Diego that provides information to the public about Ukraine. To conclude their stay, participants received certificates from the U.S. Department of State honoring their completion of the program in the presence of the guests of the House of Ukraine.
Ukrainian Business Leaders: Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program (UBL PIE) is a U.S. Government-sponsored two-way exchange program designed to build lasting, sustainable business partnerships between mid-level entrepreneurs, innovators, and businesspersons from Ukraine and the United States. UBL PIE provides participants with the inspiration needed to foster new forms of innovation, stimulate private-sector economic growth in Ukraine and the U.S., and cultivate productive ties between U.S. and Ukraine businesses and communities. Learn more about UBL PIE
Applications are currently open for the next UBL PIE cohorts for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 until May 31, 2023.