We sincerely congratulate Oksana Sedashova, Associate Professor at KROK Business School, on receiving the Red Kalyna Award – an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Community and the EIT Strategic Regional Innovation Cluster. Each year, an independent European Commission selects 10 Ukrainian female innovators who lead innovative businesses, contribute to the country's reconstruction, and stimulate the local economy. As a symbol of their strength and resilience, they are honored with the Red Kalyna Award.
For the second year in a row, the EIT Red Kalyna Awards were given to ten Ukrainian role models — innovators, leaders, and entrepreneurs — who have demonstrated that building an innovation ecosystem is possible even in the most challenging circumstances.
This year’s ceremony, which took place in Budapest during „The next of innovations for the future of Europe” on 28 November 2024, was a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of Ukrainian innovators, bringing together leaders from across sectors to honour the individuals and organizations who are pushing boundaries and sparking change.
The response to the Red Kalyna 2024 nominations significantly increased compared to 2023. This year, the awards received more than twice the number of applications compared to the inaugural edition, reflecting the growing visibility and value of the initiative, as well as the expansion of its community. The selection process was no easy feat, with so many inspiring stories and accomplishments to consider. It was an exciting and challenging task to choose from such an impressive pool of talent.
Celebrating the Nominees
Among this year’s awardees were a group of women whose leadership and impact are undeniable:
- Anna Believantseva – Co-founder & COO, Esper Bionics, Anna is at the forefront of groundbreaking biomedical innovations. Her work advances prosthetics technology, positioning Ukraine as a leader in healthcare solutions.
- Daria Leshchenko – CEO, Managing Partner, SupportYourApp. Daria is redefining customer support services globally, helping Ukrainian companies enhance their competitiveness and reputation in international markets.
- Daria Yaniieva, PhD – Investment Director, Sigma Software Labs. Daria is fostering a thriving ecosystem for start-ups and innovation, channelling critical resources to promising ventures that strengthen Ukraine’s tech landscape.
- Ievgeniia Bespalova
