Payoneer, the global financial technology company powering business growth across borders, and WIN-WIN EDIH, a European Digital Innovation Hub backed by the EU’s Digital Europe programme, have announced a collaboration to help Ukrainian startups and SMBs scale internationally. The first joint initiative—the Payoneer Insight Talks webinar series— will equip hundreds of participants with practical knowledge on cross-border business, digital finance, and global expansion.
The alliance between Payoneer and WIN-WIN EDIH aims to support Ukraine’s innovation ecosystem through knowledge-sharing and practical education. Payoneer Insight Talks is a four-part webinar series designed to help Ukrainian startups and SMBs navigate the challenges of cross-border business. Business and fintech experts from companies like INSERT will cover topics such as digital financial infrastructure, global payments, marketplace strategies, and scaling international operations. The program is expected to reach and educate over 500 participants, from early-stage founders to more established tech entrepreneurs.
This collaboration is part of a broader effort to accelerate Ukraine’s digital recovery and deepen its integration into the European innovation ecosystem. WIN-WIN EDIH is one of Ukraine’s key digital innovation hubs under the European Commission’s €7.9 billion Digital Europe Programme, aiming to support over 1,000 organizations—from startups and SMВs to public institutions and research centers—over the next four years. The initiative focuses on key sectors including AI, IoT, cybersecurity, automation, EdTech, energy, and green technologies, helping Ukrainian businesses adopt DeepTech solutions and build long-term competitiveness in the global market.
Payoneer’s mission of enabling entrepreneurs in emerging markets to access, operate, and grow across borders aligns closely with the goals of WIN-WIN EDIH. With a presence in over 190 countries and territories and a platform supporting nearly 2 million active users, Payoneer provides the financial infrastructure that allows small businesses to engage in global commerce. This commitment was recently exemplified at the Ambition Hackathon in New York, where Ukrainian entrepreneur Taras Tymoshchuk, founder of SaiberAssist, joined a select group of global founders working alongside Payoneer teams to solve real-world growth challenges — demonstrating how Payoneer champions borderless business at every level.
This program empowers Ukrainian startups and SMBs with the tools, knowledge, and financial infrastructure to operate internationally, aligning with national recovery goals and accelerating integration into the European digital economy. It promotes export readiness, financial literacy, and scalable digital solutions—key drivers of long-term growth. The support comes at a pivotal time: 77% of Ukrainian SMBs plan to expand into Europe within five years, according to Payoneer’s 2024 SMB Ambitions Barometer. With 61% of customers abroad and 59% of 2024 revenue expected from exports, these businesses are globally focused and digitally adept. Yet systemic challenges—regulatory uncertainty, infrastructure gaps—persist, and targeted education and cross-border support are essential to overcoming them.
“At Payoneer, we believe that opportunity shouldn’t be limited by geography—and Ukrainian entrepreneurs continue to prove that talent, resilience, and global ambition can thrive even in the most challenging conditions,” said Liubov Danylina, Country Manager for Payoneer in Ukraine. “Through this collaboration with WIN-WIN EDIH, we’re proud to equip startups and small businesses with the tools, insights, and confidence they need to succeed on the global stage.”
“This collaboration with Payoneer supports our mission to help Ukrainian startups and SMBs not just recover, but become globally competitive through innovation and digital capacity,” said Yana Paladiieva, Team Lead, Head of Innovation Ecosystem Building Track at WIN-WIN EDIH. “As part of the Digital Europe programme, we are committed to providing practical support that accelerates market access, fosters technological growth, and strengthens Ukraine’s position in the European digital economy.”
To learn more and register for the upcoming Payoneer Insight Talks webinars, visit: https://forms.gle/HDtUNtXvigzmsuwZ8
About Payoneer
Payoneer is the financial technology company empowering the world’s small and medium-sized businesses to transact, do business, and grow globally. Payoneer was founded in 2005 with the belief that talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not. It is our mission to enable entrepreneurs and businesses anywhere to participate and succeed in an increasingly digital global economy. Since our founding, we have built a global financial stack that removes barriers and simplifies cross-border commerce. We make it easier for millions of SMBs, particularly in emerging markets, to connect to the global economy, pay and get paid, manage their funds across multiple currencies, and grow their businesses.
About WIN-WIN EDIH
WIN-WIN EDIH is a European Digital Innovation Hub launched in Ukraine as part of the EU’s Digital Europe Programme, which has a total budget of €7.9 billion. The hub is designed to support startups, SMEs, public institutions, and research organizations in adopting advanced digital technologies and driving innovation-led growth. WIN-WIN EDIH specializes in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, automation, EdTech, energy, and green transformation. Over the next four years, the hub aims to support more than 1,000 Ukrainian entities through training, technology validation, access to funding, and integration into the European innovation network.
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