Research Symposium

BIO

Hailing from North Dakota and now based in Sarasota, FL, Olivia Leichter is passionate about music, craftsmanship, and business. Going forward, she plans to pursue an Honors in the Major project that focuses on the art of violin-making, and conducting research through hands-on apprenticeship studies overseas. This unique exploration blends historical craftsmanship with modern innovation, reflecting a deep appreciation for both tradition and artistry.In addition to her passion for music, Olivia is interested in the risk management and insurance industry, with aspirations to own her own business. Combining creativity with strategic thinking, she aims to build a career that bridges artistry and entrepreneurship.

Beyond academics, Olivia is actively involved in leadership and service. She holds leadership roles within the Inter-Residence Hall Council (IRHC) and the Panhellenic sorority, Pi Beta Phi, and is a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) and the FSU College of Music Board of Advisors. Moreover, she is learning Korean and Ukrainian and pursuing a Global Citizenship Certificate through FSU.

With a commitment to leadership, scholarship, and innovation, Olivia is passionate about contributing positively to her community, and eager to make an impact in both the music and business worlds.

Entrepreneurship during Crisis: Resilience and Recovery in Wartime Ukraine

Abstract

The Ukrainian entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to be significantly and negatively impacted by the war with Russia, resulting in damaged infrastructure, weaker investor interest, a strained mental state, and an overall lack of stability. There is also widespread post-Cold War sentiment that the government is responsible for the economy, and individual entrepreneurial mindsets were rare prior to the Russian invasion. This exploratory study aims to understand the pre-war and current entrepreneurial ecosystem in Ukraine. We use a mixed-method approach consisting of both semi-structured interviews and an open-ended survey, interviewing 21 Ukrainian entrepreneurs. Many of these individuals were still based in Ukraine, though some did relocate out of the country due to the conflict, but continued operating Ukraine-based ventures. These individuals were identified using the Crunchbase database where we randomly sampled those listed as founders or co-founders. In addition to the interviews, given Ukraine being an active conflict zone, 10 additional individuals agreed to be interviewed via a web survey. Preliminary data analysis is scheduled to begin in March 2025.

Keywords: Ukraine, Economic Recovery, Entrepreneurship