UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #784

Overall Research Project Description This forward-looking research project is a joint effort between the LEAD Lab in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship (https://jimmorancollege.fsu.edu/research/labs/lead-lab) and FSU’s Ukraine Task Force (https://lsi.fsu.edu/fsu-ukraine-task-force). The project’s goal is to begin exploring strategies for post-conflict recovery in Ukraine, and in particular, strategies to rebuild and strengthen their entrepreneurial ecosystem. More specifically, we aim to identify, understand, and address the challenges Ukrainian entrepreneurs can expect to face as they navigate the complex process of rebuilding their businesses and fostering economic growth in a post-conflict environment.

The research will be conducted through a series of in-depth interviews with Ukrainian entrepreneurs and policymakers, as well as through the study of lessons learned from other economic recovery situations (e.g., BP Oil Spill; COVID-19 pandemic; hurricanes). UROP students will get a ground-level perspective on the obstacles and opportunities that arise during the recovery phase. These interviews will provide unique and valuable insights, as they capture the real-time experiences of those who are directly involved in the economic revival of the nation.

We anticipate that the findings will contribute to the development of a robust framework for fostering entrepreneurial success in Ukraine, with potential applications in other regions facing similar challenges. Given the innovative nature of this research, we are confident that it will be well-positioned for presentation at leading conferences and publication in peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, we expect our findings to be of significant interest to policymakers at various levels, as well as to the broader media, given the global relevance of Ukraine's recovery efforts.