Новини
A couple from Yahotyn secures UAH 500,000 to scale their business through the “Do Your Own with HoReCa Masters” competition by the MHP–Hromadi Charitable Foundation
06 may 2026
What began as a small coffee shop in 2022 has grown into a full-scale гастрономічний space, now welcoming over 2,000 visitors each month. As demand for quality service and family-friendly leisure increased in the city, the owners applied for the Foundation’s competition to scale their business.
Entrepreneurs Alina and Yurii Koval received a grant of UAH 250,000 from the MHP–Hromadi Charitable Foundation and matched it with an additional UAH 250,000 of their own funds. This co-investment enabled them to significantly expand their café’s capacity and services.
“We support local entrepreneurs who are ready to invest in their own businesses. This is one of the key criteria in selecting winners, as it demonstrates a real commitment to growth. Today, it is especially important to support communities and those who strengthen local economies — by paying taxes and creating jobs. Scaling a business during wartime contributes directly to the country’s recovery, and we see it as our role to support and amplify these efforts,”
said Pavlo Moroz, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at MHP.
At Impasto, the team insulated and expanded the terrace to welcome guests year-round. They upgraded kitchen equipment, introduced new menu items, and developed a dedicated children’s menu. The venue was also equipped with professional-grade appliances — including a coffee machine, grill, dough mixer, and gas equipment — as well as generators to ensure uninterrupted operations under challenging conditions.
“My husband and I had a dream to create a place in Yahotyn where people could relax and simply enjoy their time. That place became our Impasto gastro-bar. Thanks to the grant, we were able to implement many ideas faster and at a higher quality, improve our service, and expand our menu. Today, we see the results — guests keep coming back, and that is the most valuable outcome for us,”
said co-owner Alina Koval.
Support provided through the “Do Your Own with HoReCa Masters” competition enabled the business to grow alongside customer demand. For a small city, this translates into tangible change: more seating capacity, more stable operations, and an improved experience for visitors.
The reopening of the upgraded café brought together representatives of local businesses, the community, and partners. For Yahotyn, this is another example of how a local initiative, supported by partners, can evolve into a sustainable business that contributes to the city’s development and quality of life.
Background:
The “Do Your Own with HoReCa Masters” competition is an initiative designed for entrepreneurs in the food service sector, including owners of cafés, bakeries, street food concepts, food trucks, and mid-range restaurants. Participants received microgrants to launch or scale their businesses — upgrading equipment, expanding operations, and introducing new services or menu items.
The competition was supported by Kurator, a brand that invests in the development of modern гастрономічний culture and supports HoReCa entrepreneurs.
