Obtaining the “Own Business” grant

Ages 18–65

Ukrainian citizens (if a legal entity, all founders and ultimate beneficial owners must be Ukrainian citizens)

Not affiliated with more than 4 taxpayers (sole proprietors, legal entities, public organizations, etc.)

Willing to conduct business for at least 3 years and pay taxes to the state budget

Good business reputation (we’ll discuss this in detail during the consultation)

• Equipment and Transportation
• repairs and rental of premises
• automation and digitization
• marketing and branding
• construction or renovation of production facilities
• registration of intellectual property rights (patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyrights)

The grant is provided as a non-repayable award, subject to the fulfillment of obligations. The funds are transferred in advance to a special account at an authorized bank.

Intellectual property is an intangible asset that affects business valuation, partnerships, licensing, and investment attraction. Without registering these rights, a business risks losing its brand, technology, or design.

With the “Own Business” grant, you can simultaneously:

1. Obtain funding for development.
2. Cover the costs of protecting your IP.
3. Receive an additional +20% bonus if you already have a valid patent.

Viconsult Expert Opinion “Most entrepreneurs put off registering a trademark or patent ‘until later.’ Then copies appear, disputes with partners arise, or an investor pulls out. Including IP in the grant budget removes this barrier and secures rights during the launch or scaling phase.”

• +5% – young people aged 18–25
• +20% – veteran-owned businesses, VAT payers, valid patents for inventions or utility models, IDPs with over 6 months of experience, creation of 2 or more jobs
• +30% – frontline regions, restoration of damaged fixed assets
• +50% – priority economic sectors

Important: A valid Ukrainian patent for an invention or utility model related to the business project adds +20% to the grant amount. And the costs of obtaining a “IP” can now be covered by grant funds.

The program is transitioning to a new model. There are two areas of support:

The grant amount depends on the number of jobs created, the region, the industry, and the applicant’s category.

The three main ones:

1. Operate for 3 years.
2. Create and maintain new jobs in accordance with the conditions of the grant received (within 24 months of the 36-month monitoring period).
3. Pay taxes to the state budget in an amount equal to the grant received over 3 years.

We go over all these obligations in detail during our consultations—so that you understand all the nuances before you submit your application.

One partner is responsible for the entire process—from evaluation to presenting the application to the committee.

1. Case Analysis: We evaluate compliance with the criteria, business reputation, and the potential grant amount, taking into account bonuses and the possibility of including IPexpenses.
2. Business Plan Preparation: We draft the document using the official template, taking into account the commission’s evaluation criteria. Turnaround time: 5–7 business days.
3. Submitting the Application via “Diyu”: We fill out and submit the application together. We review every document.
4. Preparing for the Interview: We’ll help you prepare for the committee’s questions. You’ll understand the project’s logic and be able to defend it confidently.
5. Post-Decision Support: We assist with opening a bank account and the next steps.

The consultation is a mandatory first step. Its cost is credited toward the support fee if you order the full package within 60 days.

In the event of a rejection for reasons unrelated to the applicant’s business reputation, we will resubmit the application at no additional cost for our support services.

What’s Included in Our “Turnkey” Support Package

• Assessment of program eligibility and business reputation
• Business plan development
• Inclusion of “IP” costs (if necessary)
• Submission of the application through “Diyu”
• Preparation for the interview
• Support after the decision is made

You’ll have a single team guiding the project through every stage.

Do I have to repay the grant? The grant does not have to be repaid in cash. The obligations are fulfilled through the payment of taxes and the creation of jobs. You will have to repay the funds only if the terms of the grant are violated.

Is a government grant subject to taxation? No. Income in the form of a budgetary grant under government programs is not included in the taxpayer’s total monthly (annual) taxable income (para. 170.7-1.1 of the Tax Code of Ukraine). There is no need to report or pay taxes on the grant itself.

What taxes are taken into account when fulfilling obligations? Social Security Contributions (SSC), Personal Income Tax (PIT), the military levy on wages for newly created jobs, the single tax or income tax, and SSC for the applicant’s sole proprietorship.

How long does it take to prepare an application? Usually 5–7 business days—from gathering information to a finished business plan. The exact timeframe depends on the complexity of the project and how quickly the data is provided.

I don’t have an individual entrepreneur (FOP) yet—can I still apply? Yes. An individual may submit an application. You must register your sole proprietorship within 15 days after the grant is approved. We’ll prepare you for this step in advance.

Can I receive a grant for my own business if I’ve already received a grant for veterans? No.