EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ is a prestigious global program established in 1986 by the international audit firm Ernst & Young to recognize outstanding entrepreneurial achievements around the world. It is aimed at unlocking entrepreneurial potential, developing leadership, and supporting innovative businesses. The program identifies entrepreneurs who, through their strategic vision, leadership qualities, and significant results, not only achieve success but also inspire communities, markets, and future generations. Ukraine is an official participant in the international EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program.
How the Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 in Ukraine Was Chosen
From many applicants competing in the EY contest, the jury selected nine winners, while one additional winner each was chosen by the editorial board of NV and PUMB.
The jury included Andriy Gunder, President of the American Chamber of Commerce, Vitaliy Sych, Editor-in-Chief of NV media house, and Olena Vdovychenko, CEO of Metro Ukraine. They selected finalists based on entrepreneurial spirit, determination, industry impact, and business development.
Ultimately, the jury chose winners in nine categories, including the main award. Two more nominees were selected by NV and PUMB.
NOMINATION: Woman Leadership - Olga Melykh, Director and Owner of KVOTA Research and Production Company
Volodymyr and Yuliya Melykh, an engineer-inventor and a mathematician, founded their business in Ternopil back in 1991. Six years ago, their daughter Olga officially took over the family business, which she calls “a very male-dominated field,” as KVOTA specializes in metalworking and mechanical engineering, with its main focus on manufacturing moulds for producing various plastic products — from lipstick containers to water filter components.
- How did you earn your first million?
— For me, the symbolic moment was not the amount of money entering the bank account, but what it represented — our forward movement. The goal is to constantly develop and reinvest the first million and the next ones so that money works. The turning point was when I clearly realized that our business had become manageable.
We achieved this through a series of crises and transformations: we introduced a resilience strategy, automated all company processes, built a risk management system, and passed ISO 9001 certification. In other words, we brought order and structured every process. The fact that we continue developing even during a major war is symbolic for us.
- Name three main business rules.
— First, it is important for me not just to fulfill an order, but to make sure that with the help of our product, the client becomes successful — even if we are only one part of a large supply chain.
Second, do not be afraid to invest in the future, even when there are no guarantees. For example, during COVID or now during the full-scale war. For me, such crisis moments are not only huge risks, but also opportunities.
Third, value the people in your company. They will help survive any crisis, notice innovations, implement changes, and generate interesting ideas. A team is not just a backbone — it is a spine that can be flexible when needed or straighten up and provide support.
And I also have a personal goal — to do everything possible so that Ukrainian manufacturing develops and attracts young people.
- How has the war changed your values and your life?
— Radically. Everything unnecessary disappeared, and we saw what matters most. That is people. And our actions.
The war also forced us to make decisions much faster, more decisively, more responsibly, and sometimes more radically. We did not stop when logistics or electricity were disrupted. The war taught us that we have no right to stop.
First, many men from our team are serving in the armed forces, and we support several brigades.
Second, when we hear from our partners and clients across Ukraine — from Kharkiv, Sumy, Dnipro, Pavlohrad, Zaporizhzhia — that they have just experienced shelling but are still working, and they remain inspired and motivated, then we simply have no right to do anything other than move forward.
The full version of the interview with all winners is available via the link: EY (Ernst & Young), with the support of NV and PUMB, announces the winners of the Ukrainian edition of the international EY Entrepreneur Of The Year competition.
