Grants
FundingHub
Every entrepreneur eventually faces the same question: where to find money for growth? There are three main options: a grant, a loan, or investment. At first glance they all look the same — they all provide funding. But the terms, risks, and implications for your business are fundamentally different. This article will help you understand the distinctions and identify which option suits your situation.
Looking for grants for your business?
FundingHub is the largest grants database exclusively for businesses in Ukraine. Over 100 active programmes — from state support via Diia to EU grants worth hundreds of thousands of euros. AI matches programmes to your profile, and the database updates daily.
Why This Question Matters in 2026
In 2026, Ukrainian entrepreneurs have more external financing options than ever before. The government has expanded grant programmes through eRobota, international donors have scaled up recovery funding, and banks have resumed SME lending at concessional rates. At the same time, venture funds and business angels have become more active in searching for projects to invest in.
The problem is not a lack of options — it is that choosing the wrong instrument costs time, money, and effort. An entrepreneur who starts a grant application without understanding the requirements can waste months. Someone who takes out a loan when they could have received a grant pays unnecessary interest. And a founder who brings in an investor too early may lose control of their company.
Three Funding Sources: What Sets Them Apart
Option 1
Grant: Non-Repayable Funding
A grant is non-repayable, targeted funding from a government body, international fund, or donor. You receive money for a specific purpose and do not return it, provided you meet the programme’s requirements. No equity stake is transferred and no interest accrues.
The main advantage is obvious: the money is free. However, there are significant conditions. A grant is always targeted — funds can only be spent on what was specified in the application. Most programmes require a detailed financial report or even an independent audit. Competition is high: popular calls attract hundreds of applications.
Best suited for: businesses with a specific project that aligns with donor priorities (recovery, innovation, social impact, green technology), prepared for reporting requirements, and with enough time to develop a strong application.
Option 2
Loan: Repayable with Interest
A loan is financing from a bank or financial institution that must be repaid together with interest within a defined period. Neither an equity stake nor a spending report is required by the lender — the main obligation is to repay on time.
The main advantage: speed and flexibility. Funds can be obtained within weeks and spent on any business purpose. For entrepreneurs who need working capital or equipment without being tied to a donor programme, this is often the most straightforward path. In Ukraine, concessional loans are currently available from the EBRD and EIB through partner banks — with a grant component of 10–30%, which significantly reduces the real cost.
Best suited for: businesses with a predictable cash flow that need financing quickly and without restrictions on how funds are used.
Option 3
Investment: Capital in Exchange for Equity
Investment is capital from a private investor, venture fund, or business angel in exchange for a stake in your company. There is no traditional repayment obligation, but the investor expects the business to grow in value and eventually generate a return on exit.
The main advantage: an investor brings not just money but also expertise, networks, and access to new markets. For startups that need to scale, this can be critical. However, there is a trade-off: you give up a share of control, and the investor’s growth expectations may conflict with your original plans.
Best suited for: startups and companies with ambitions to scale rapidly, a clear business model, and a willingness to share control in exchange for growth.
Comparing All Three Options (grant, loan and investment)
When to Choose Each Option (grant, loan and investment)
a grant if:
- Your project aligns with donor priorities: recovery, innovation, social impact, or green technology
- You are prepared for 3–6 months of preparation and post-award reporting
- You need funding without debt obligations or equity dilution
- Your project has a clear, measurable outcome — grants do not finance vague ideas
a loan if:
- You need money quickly and for flexible purposes: equipment, working capital, expansion
- Your business generates stable revenue and can service debt
- Your need does not fit any available grant programme
- You want to retain full control and avoid spending months on an application
investment if:
- You are building a startup with scaling potential, not a local small business
- You need not just capital but also a mentor, network, or access to external markets
- You are willing to give up equity and accept the investor as a partner in decisions
- Your business model projects multi-fold growth over 3–5 years
Combining Sources Is Both Possible and Smart
Experienced entrepreneurs rarely rely on a single funding source. A typical approach looks like this: a state grant covers initial equipment costs, a concessional loan provides working capital, and at the next stage an investor is brought in for scaling.
Grants and loans do not exclude each other. Some EBRD and EIB programmes include a grant component of 10–30% on top of the loan principal — essentially a hybrid instrument. Similarly, securing a grant for a pilot project, demonstrating its effectiveness, and then attracting an investor for scaling is a classic strategy for technology startups.
Where to Find Business Grant in Ukraine
If you have decided that a grant is the right option, the next step is to find active programmes with open deadlines. GetGrant is Ukraine’s only dedicated grant discovery platform, aggregating active programmes from international funds, the EU, bilateral donors, and private organisations. For businesses specifically, GetGrant has built a separate product — FundingHub.
FundingHub by GetGrant: The Business Grants Database
FundingHub is a grants database for SMEs, startups, and sole traders, updated daily by the GetGrant team. Unlike a general catalogue, the platform focuses exclusively on business programmes and allows you to filter grants by sector, company size, and funding amount.
- Over 100 active grant programmes for businesses
- AI-powered matching to your company profile
- Filters by industry, business size, and grant amount
- Daily alerts on new calls and upcoming deadlines
GetGrant: Ukraine’s Grant Discovery Platform
GetGrant.ua aggregates active programmes for businesses, NGOs, researchers, and municipalities. With a paid subscription you get AI-powered matching and daily updates on new calls.
A Practical Checklist for Entrepreneurs
Define your need and timeline. Working capital in two weeks — that is a loan. New equipment for a social project — that is a grant. Scaling to external markets — possibly investment.
Check whether there are open grants that match your profile. Go to FundingHub and filter programmes by your sector. If there is a relevant call with a real deadline — start there.
If no grants are available or time is short, contact a bank about EBRD or EIB concessional programmes. These instruments combine a loan with grant components or reduced rates.
Plan ahead. Even if there is no suitable grant right now — subscribe to GetGrant updates. Most programmes open in waves, and a prepared entrepreneur always has an advantage over someone who discovered the call two days before the deadline.
Also Read on GetGrant
How to Find a Business Grant Without the Chaos: FundingHub Platform Overview
How to Choose a Grant That Fits Your Business: 10 Key Criteria
Grant Budgeting Made Simple: A Financial Guide for 2026
Business Grants in Ukraine and the EU: Active Funding Programmes
Find Grants for Your Business
GetGrant updates its grants database daily for SMEs, startups, and sole traders. FundingHub by GetGrant analyses your profile and matches you with programmes before deadlines close.