Socially-oriented startups in Ukraineand the world: trends and implementation challenges

Strelchenko Inna
Doctor of Economics, Professor of the International Marketing Department, Alfred Nobel University, Dnipro, Ukraine, E-mail: strelchenko.i@duan.edu.ua, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5179-4304

Pysarkova Valeriia
PhD in Economics, Associate of the Management Department, Alfred Nobel University, Dnipro, Ukraine, E-mail: pysarkova.v@duan.edu.ua, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8058-7854

Arakelova Inna
PhD in Economics, Associate of the Marketing & Tourism Department, Mariupol State University, Kyiv, Ukraine, E-mail: i.arakelova@mu.edu.ua, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9582-793Х

Received: 13.06.2025    Аpproved: 25.06.2025    Рublished online: 25.07.2025

Cite this article:

Strelchenko I., Pysarkova V., Arakelova I. (2025) Socially-oriented startups in Ukraineand the world: trends and implementation challenges. Ed.: V.V. Kovalenko (ed.-in-ch.) and others [Socialno-orijentovani startapy v Ukrai'ni ta sviti: tendencii i skladnoshhi realizacii.: V.V. Kovalenko (gol. red.)], Scientific Bulletin of the Odesa National Economic University (ISSN 2313-4569), Odesa National Economics University, Odesa, No. 6 (331), pp.17-26.

Abstract

In the context of globalization, digitalization, and growing social challenges, socially-oriented startups are gaining prominence as an innovative tool for ensuring sustainable development. These startups combine entrepreneurial activity with the resolution of socially significant issues, forming hybrid organizational models. The aim of this study is to identify and systematize the key trends in the development of socially-oriented startups in Ukraine and globally, their role within the creative entrepreneurship ecosystem, models of their implementation, as well as to identify the main barriers to their functioning. The research employs general scientific and specific methods: analysis and synthesis for the systematization of academic sources and practical cases; induction and deduction for the formulation of generalizations; the comparative method to identify similarities and differences between national and international practices; classification to typologize models of social startups; graphical methods to visualize empirical data; as well as elements of content analysis of reports by international organizations. The study identifies key models of socially-oriented startups, outlines their role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and analyzes the dynamics of the development of the social entrepreneurship ecosystem. It is substantiated that, despite positive trends, social startups face a range of barriers—institutional, financial, regulatory, and human-resource-related. It is revealed that the activation of this sector requires the implementation of a comprehensive policy aimed at the institutionalization of social entrepreneurship, development of support infrastructure, enhancement of financial mechanisms, and stimulation of inclusive innovations. The relevance of this research is driven by the growing interest in impact investing, the intensification of youth entrepreneurship, and the transformation of public innovation policy, particularly in Ukraine under the conditions of wartime.

Keywords

innovations, digital economy, startup, investment, research.

JEL classification: M130; M210; O310;DOI: https://doi.org/10.32680/2409-9260-2025-6-331-17-26

UD classification:339.1; 658.8

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