Olha Batova, CEO of EFI Group, moderated a discussion on assessing the potential and performance of top teams — from strategy to results — at the HR Brand “SPRAWZHNІ” conference.
The Ukrainian market is undergoing a profound managerial transformation. Over the past five years, more and more founders have been delegating operational management to hired CEOs. Businesses are transforming, models are being renewed, and the quality of the top team increasingly determines whether a company can withstand stress, growth, and crises.
The conversation brought together four leaders working in different industries but leading large management teams and having extensive experience:
🔹 Serhiy Zhyla, CEO of the Ascania Group
🔹 Dmytro Stryzhov, Founder and Member of the Supervisory Board of SHERIFF
🔹 Nataliia Morozova, CEO of Havas Village Ukraine
🔹 Yuliia Kirianova, CEO with many years of experience in corporate governance and strategic transformations in leading business groups
Key insights from the discussion
🔸 Scaling through trust and metrics.
Serhiy Zhyla shared his “don’t interfere” principle, where once the strategy is approved, leaders receive full freedom to act. Yet freedom is impossible without clear performance markers. Under his leadership, Ascania grew by 66% in 2024, reaching 14 billion UAH. He emphasized the importance of discipline, identifying the right growth points, and collective accountability.
🔸 Management resilience under pressure.
For Dmytro Stryzhov, resilience is not theory but lived experience: 594 days of fighting to have all eight fabricated criminal cases against him closed. In crises, it is crucial to see the behavioral signals of the team — its rhythm and readiness to take responsibility.
🔸 Efficiency in creative industries.
Nataliia Morozova discussed how to maintain a high bar amid technological shifts, declining investments, and changes in client collaboration formats. With more than 200 specialists and eight agencies, Havas Village is a complex mechanism where the leader’s role is to facilitate, guide, and foster entrepreneurial thinking.
🔸 Reassembling businesses in extreme conditions.
Yuliia Kirianova has strengthened major systemic companies, including working with loss-making portfolios. Through full operational and financial restructuring, she transformed them into profitable ones. She shared her experience of rapid team mobilization, transparent evaluation systems, and delivering results in environments where there is no room for error.
We invite you to join SPRAWZHNІ – the Conference and Award Ceremony of the HR Brand Ukraine Award!
On December 10, 2025, one of the key events for Ukraine’s HR community will take place — bringing together business leaders to discuss the main challenges and approaches in building and developing strong teams.
📌 Panel Discussion:
“Assessing the Potential and Effectiveness of Top Teams: From Strategy to Results”
The discussion will be moderated by Olha Batova, CEO of EFI Group, an investment and industrial company that brings together high-tech and export-oriented businesses.
Panel speakers include:
Serhii Zhyla, CEO of Askania Group
Dmytro Stryzhov, Founder of Sheriff Holding
Natalia Morozova, CEO of Havas Village Ukraine
Yuliia Kirianova, former CEO of Smart-Holding
This will be an in-depth conversation about how to build and evaluate management teams, which approaches work within large holdings, and how leaders adapt to today’s challenges.
🔗 Follow the link for more details and ticket information.
We look forward to seeing you at the event!
Kyiv, November 25, 2025 – NovaSklo, part of the investment company EFI Group, today signed an Engagement Letter Agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, to support the establishment of Ukraine’s first modern float glass production facility, helping address the country’s rapidly growing demand for glass products to support its reconstruction.
Float glass is a flat sheet of glass used for a range of applications, including windows, mirrors, tabletops, automotive glass, and solar panels. NovaSklo, a wholly owned subsidiary of EFI Group, a diversified Ukrainian industrial development company, will lead the project’s implementation. According to the agreement, IFC, in partnership with Japan, will provide NovaSklo with advisory services and capacity-building assistance, focusing on feasibility analysis, risk assessment, and the adoption of international best practices in project development and sustainability, with the objective of supporting the company in attracting long-term financing for the development of the project in the future.
With an estimated investment of approximately €250 million, the project will create over 300 new jobs, with additional employment generated through local suppliers, logistics providers, and related industries. The project will also introduce state-of-the-art technologies for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly glass manufacturing, reduce reliance on costly imports, and contribute to the emergence of a new industrial sector in Ukraine, thereby strengthening the country’s economic resilience.
“IFC’s support is an important signal of trust in Ukrainian investment projects,” said Igor Liski, Founder of EFI Group. “Together with our partners, we are investing world-class expertise to create a powerful construction materials industry in Ukraine. This approach will enable the development of benchmark industrial facilities in the country. We believe in the future of Ukrainian industry and are ready to invest in the country’s industrialization even during wartime.”
The project envisions the construction of a state-of-the-art float glass plant in the Kyiv region. The NovaSklo project will aim to adhere to the IFC Sustainability Framework to ensure that the new facility meets highest international standards in environmental protection, occupational health and safety, and social responsibility.
“Ukraine continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and strong potential for economic recovery,” said Ines Rocha, IFC’s Division Director for Western Europe, Central & Eastern Europe, Ukraine & Moldova. “NovaSklo is a clear example of how Ukrainian entrepreneurs are ready to build modern industrial facilities even under challenging circumstances. IFC has extensive experience in supporting industrial projects around the world, and we are pleased to share this expertise with Ukrainian businesses.”
NovaSklo has also entered into a technical partnership agreement with the Nippon Sheet Glass Group, one of the world’s leading glass manufacturers and a global industry innovator from Japan, to provide technical expertise and advanced process solutions.
Following the completion of the preparation phase, the project aims to attract long-term financing for the project’s development, with IFC as the lead partner in providing and mobilizing the required financing. This agreement marks an important milestone in the development of Ukraine’s industry and demonstrates the confidence of international financial institutions in the country’s investment potential even in challenging times.
About:
NovaSklo is a Ukrainian company implementing the project to create Ukraine’s first high-tech float glass manufacturing plant in the Kyiv region. The project is developed by the investment and industrial company EFI Group, and implemented in partnership with leading European float glass equipment manufacturers. For more information about NovaSklo visit novasklo.com
For information about IFC, please, visit: www.ifc.org
NSG Group (Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd., and its group companies, which includes Pilkington Technology Management Limited) is the world’s leading supplier of glass and glazing systems in the business areas of Architectural, Automotive and Creative Technology. Today, the Group has principal operations around the world and sales in over 100 countries. For more information about NSG Group visit: www.nsg.com
Media Contact:
NovaSklo – Nadiia Kravchenko
[email protected]
+380 63 577 88 09
Samvel Ramazyan, Investment Director at EFI Group, joined the 2025 Cherkasy International Economic Forum, which brought together over 200 participants — representatives of business, government, international partners, and the expert community.
During the event, participants discussed development and partnership strategies, investment support tools, and new opportunities emerging in the process of European integration. One of the forum’s key highlights was the presentation of the Investment Passport of the Cherkasy Region, which showcases the region’s economic potential and investment opportunities.
Samvel Ramazyan spoke at the panel discussion “Investment Support Tools”, where he shared EFI Group’s experience in implementing investment projects in Ukraine alongside representatives of government and business.
Moderator: Dmytro Livch, Executive Director of EasyBusiness NGO, Partner at CIVITTA
Speakers:
Vitalii Kindrativ, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine
Yurii Kosiuk, Chairman of the Board, MHP Agro-Industrial Holding
Danylo Yakub, Senior Partner and COO, Diligent Capital Partners
Samvel Ramazyan, Investment Director, EFI Group
Roman Hrygoryshyn, Head of the Ukrainian-Korean Business Council
“To increase the share of manufacturing in Ukraine’s GDP, we need large-scale investments measured in billions of euros. However, even individual initiatives like the Feednova Center project prove that the state can be an effective partner for business — particularly through the investment nanny program.
Businesses today feel genuine support from public authorities at both local and national levels — and these ‘nannies’ have real faces. For me personally, such a professional attitude toward business was a true discovery. The preparation process for the program is complex but worthwhile, as it allows companies to recover a significant portion of their investment costs later on. It’s crucial to have strong legal expertise and business planning capabilities within the project team.
Ukrainian businesses must work hard to ensure that more large-scale industrial projects emerge — because developing Ukraine’s manufacturing sector is our shared responsibility,”
— emphasized Samvel Ramazyan.
He also noted that EFI Group is actively developing new instruments to attract private investments into the real sector of Ukraine’s economy.
The Cherkasy region continues to strengthen its investment potential. As noted by Ihor Taburets, beyond economic resilience, today it’s vital to strengthen cooperation in several key areas:
Energy independence, to ensure that essential systems and enterprises operate even under the toughest scenarios;
Private sector investment in defense, which significantly contributes to strengthening Ukraine’s air defense and overall security;
Investment in social projects — including veteran rehabilitation, support for internally displaced persons, social entrepreneurship, and workforce training.
The Cherkasy International Economic Forum has become a traditional platform for strategic dialogue shaping the vision of Ukraine’s post-war recovery. EFI Group remains committed to supporting initiatives that foster sustainable business development and investment in Ukraine’s economy.
In September–October 2025, DOC.UA served as an information partner for seven key medical events covering the most relevant topics in the industry — from digital transformation to longevity strategies.
For the team, this is an important part of the work — engaging with partners, being present where ideas are born, decisions are shaped, and the voice of the medical community is heard.
Events attended and supported by DOC.UA:
All-Ukrainian Medical Summit — focused on management decisions, legal risks, and the financial sustainability of medical institutions;
ICAMPS 2025 — a two-day charitable congress on plastic and reconstructive surgery;
Digital Medicine & Pharma Forum — a strategic discussion on digital healthcare, artificial intelligence, and the future of pharma;
XII Forum of Owners and CEOs of Medical Institutions — dedicated to the survival of medical businesses amid turbulence;
Public Health 2025 (Kyiv) — an international exhibition that brought together over 100 companies and became a platform for discussing healthcare reforms and innovations;
Forbes Health 2025 — the first medical conference organized by the Ukrainian edition of Forbes, focused on technologies and the vision of the future of medicine in Ukraine;
AM Summit 2025 — a large-scale event on health and longevity that united medicine, science, business, and the state.
DOC.UA’s information partnership is not just a logo on a poster or website.
The team professionally strengthens medical event organizers by providing a package of information support services, which may include:
publishing an article in the dedicated “Events” section;
advertising banners to improve site navigation for readers;
announcement posts on Facebook — via DOC.UA’s B2B-focused page;
ticket giveaways for events — the most engaging offer for the audience;
email newsletters for partners;
podcasts with organizers on the YouTube channel “DOC.UA: MedBusiness.”
This autumn, DOC.UA launched a new collaboration format with event organizers — “MedBiz: Event.”
Our journalist and cameraman attend the event to capture the atmosphere, emotions, and key moments, as well as gather participant comments.
The final video is published on our YouTube channel “DOC.UA: MedBusiness,” allowing it to outlive the event itself and continue attracting audiences in future seasons.
The first episode — from the Forbes Health Conference — is already live on YouTube.
Watch, subscribe, and leave your comments!
The season of conferences and exhibitions continues — with new impressions, connections, partnerships, and unexpected collaborations ahead.
Today, a Special Investment Agreement was signed between the Government of Ukraine and Feednova Center LLC.
The company is implementing an investment project to reconstruct non-residential buildings on a land plot of 10.1 hectares in the Zvenyhorod district of the Cherkasy region. Upon completion, the site will become a modern production complex for the processing of animal by-products into high-protein feed ingredients and animal fats.
The total investment in the project will exceed EUR 20 million, with the first phase amounting to UAH 649.7 million (EUR 14.4 million).
The state support package totals UAH 172 million and includes:
The project will create over 80 new jobs in the region.
“The implementation of such investment projects demonstrates how a combination of state support tools, responsible private capital, and strategic vision is building a new industrial foundation for Ukraine. Even in wartime conditions, investors are choosing our country as a space for developing high-tech production and see long-term economic potential. These projects not only create jobs and tax returns but also accelerate the shift from a raw-material-based economy to one of deep processing and innovation — a key to Ukraine’s sustainable recovery and competitiveness, said Oleksii Soboliev, Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine.
Olha Batova, CEO of the investment company EFI Group, which, together with partners, is implementing the Feednova Center project, emphasized the strategic importance of public-private cooperation:
“The signing of this agreement is an example of how consistent state policy can create conditions for the development of modern industry even during wartime. We already have experience in successfully implementing large-scale industrial projects and are confident that this cooperation will inspire both Ukrainian businesses and international partners to invest in the country today. We see this partnership as part of a broader strategy — building an industrial nation capable of competing globally.”
The new facility will become a powerful driver of regional growth, enhancing environmental safety and strengthening the agricultural sector of the Cherkasy region.
Our plant will set a new benchmark for the rendering industry. The introduction of European quality standards at every stage will help replace outdated practices in handling animal by-products. Through modern technological approaches, we will ensure environmental safety and deliver tangible economic benefits to the region, said Samvel Ramazyan, Director of Feednova Center LLC.
In October, the foundation stone ceremony of the Feednova Center plant took place in the Cherkasy region, a symbolic event marking the start of the investment project’s implementation.
EFI Group is also preparing to submit an application for the signing of a second Special Investment Agreement (SIA) for another strategically important project that will contribute to Ukraine’s recovery.
The State Support Program for Large Investment Projects is part of the “Made in Ukraine” policy, which aims to create conditions that make it profitable to manufacture, invest, and develop the processing industry in Ukraine.
For more details, see the guide: “Guide: State Support for Large Investment Projects in Ukraine.”
Feednova Center is a modern production facility specializing in high-protein feed ingredients and animal fats for agricultural and domestic animal nutrition. The company is an investment project by EFI Group, developed in partnership with the investment company UMGI and Dutch partners.
The plant will provide collection, transportation, and processing services for animal by-products.
Its core priorities are innovative technologies, strict compliance with international quality standards, and transparent business practices. More than 80% of the finished products will be exported to EU and Asian markets.
EFI Group continues to grow its team of professionals who share our vision — creating a modern, industrial, and strong Ukrainian economy.
We are implementing large-scale investment projects that shape the country’s future — and we’re looking for people ready for professional challenges, strategic thinking, and real impact.
You will shape the legal architecture of a large-scale industrial project, working with international financing, contracts, and compliance.
Requirements: experience in corporate law, fluent English (negotiation level), strategic mindset, and strong attention to detail.
You are the person who turns ideas into reality. Coordinating teams, managing processes, meeting deadlines, and maintaining structure in a dynamic environment will be your key responsibilities.
Requirements: strong organizational skills, accountability, attention to detail, and a desire to grow with the company.
✅ Real impact on the development of Ukraine’s economy
✅ Participation in next-generation industrial projects
✅ A team of ambitious and professional like-minded people
✅ Opportunities for professional and personal growth
We are not just looking for specialists, we are looking for creators of change, ready to write a new chapter in the history of Ukrainian industry.
📩 Send your CV to [email protected] (please include the job title in the subject line).
On October 29, during Strategy Forum 2025, a unique event will bring together Ukraine’s leading business leaders, people who are not afraid to make bold decisions and shape the country’s economic future.
One of the forum’s highlights will be the Leader-to-Leader Battle: “Survival vs Growth”, featuring two entrepreneurs with distinct strategic approaches to business development:
Ihor Liski, founder of the investment company EFI Group, and Borys Shestopalov, agri-food entrepreneur and co-founder of HD-Group.
At the core of this discussion are the key questions that concern every business owner and executive today:
Can the “survive and preserve” strategy be considered a victory?
Where is the line between caution and losing growth momentum?
What should companies invest in when markets are volatile?
And ultimately, who wins — those who take risks or those who calculate every move?
This will be a frank conversation between two leaders who not only think strategically but also build Ukraine’s new economy despite challenges, uncertainty, and turbulence.
Registration is open: kagroup.ua/sbf
At the New Food Summit 2025, EFI Group founder Igor Liski took part in a panel discussion titled “Is It Still Possible to Grow Multiple Times in the Food Market Today?”, which brought together leading figures of Ukraine’s food industry.
During the discussion, participants outlined the key challenges the sector faces today: economic downturn, inflationary pressure, consumer migration, and labor shortages.
Despite these challenges, Ihor Liski emphasized that large-scale growth remains possible if businesses think strategically and invest in meaning, people, and trust.
“Growth is not a coincidence but the result of strategic decisions where businesses accept the reality of risks yet focus on creating value, not just products.
When turbulence surrounds you, a company should not merely survive but build a new quality.
Exponential growth is possible when a company thinks not in terms of ‘what to produce’ but ‘what value to create for the world.’
That’s what makes a business resilient and attractive to investors — even in times of war,”
— Igor Liski highlighted.
The panel explored several key topics:
🔹 where to find new sources of growth;
🔹 how business capitalization models are evolving;
🔹 which markets — domestic or international — are becoming priorities;
🔹 where to invest resources and focus to scale a company.
The discussion was moderated by Roman Bondar, Head of Korn Ferry Ukraine.
Panelists:
🟢 Serhii Vovchenko, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Molochnyi Alyans Group
🟢 Ihor Liski, Founder of EFI Group
🟢 Iryna Broslavtseva, CEO of CupSoul (food division of Biosphere Corporation)
🟢 Olena Vovk, Co-owner of Enzym Group and Kormotech
The discussion became one of the most inspiring events of New Food Summit 2025, demonstrating that Ukraine’s food industry continues to find new growth formulas — driven by innovation, strong teams, and the courage to think globally.
Today marks a special milestone for the entire SEM Ecopack team — the company celebrates its 5th anniversary. It’s more than just a date — it’s a story of growth and perseverance: from the first idea to a modern production facility, from a small team to over 300 jobs, from the company’s beginnings in Zhytomyr to its expansion in Sambir.
Over these years, SEM Ecopack has become one of the key employers in the region, the largest taxpayer in the local community, and a trusted partner for dozens of clients and suppliers.
Yet behind every figure stand the people — those who create results every day, support one another, stay resilient even in the toughest times, and prove that manufacturing in Ukraine can be stable, modern, and socially responsible.
We have overcome lockdowns, wartime challenges, and market instability and each time, we’ve emerged stronger.
The strength of SEM Ecopack lies in its people, a team that acts, learns, evolves, and embraces change. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey — from production operators to managers, from legal experts to engineers. You are the ones building our shared story, said Sergii Rudkovskyi, the company’s CEO.
The company continues to support both the local community and the Armed Forces of Ukraine — preserving jobs for mobilized employees, helping their families, and contributing to charitable initiatives.
Looking ahead, SEM Ecopack and EFI Group are focused on new investments, innovations, production modernization, and export development.
They remain committed to their core principle — to strengthen Ukrainian industry and create value here, in Ukraine.