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Over the past few years, the spirit of unity among Ukrainians around the world has become even stronger. Many people are striving to do more for their fellow countrymen by launching various social initiatives. One of these Ukrainians is Denys Kanel. He was born in Simferopol but has been living in the United States since 2013. There, he created the Ukrainian.US community, which currently has more than 290,000 members in 39 cities in the United States, Canada, and other countries. The project aims to promote Ukrainian business abroad, provide information support to Ukrainians, and preserve cultural traditions. Its main channels include social media platforms and offline business events. In an interview with Forbes BrandVoice, Denys spoke about the business opportunities provided by the Ukrainian.US project and shared the main results of his work.

About Denys Kanel

Denys Kanel is a Ukrainian-born entrepreneur based in New York, founder and CEO of Geometria, an innovative media company specializing in outdoor advertising. The company owns more than 4,000 digital screens, mobile LED trucks and billboards in the US market with coverage in New York, Chicago, Miami, Philadelphia and New Jersey. Geometria's client portfolio includes well-known brands such as Disney, Audi, Google, Coca-Cola, Ford, Samsung, Airbnb, LG, LʼOreal, and BMW.

In 2022, Denys founded G-Gallery in Soho, where contemporary artists exhibit their work. The gallery is not only a center for contemporary art, but also a platform for charity, with a special focus on supporting Ukraine. Among Denys's most significant projects is Ukrainian.US, which has united more than 290,000 Ukrainians in 39 cities in the United States, Canada, and other countries.

From idea to realization

What were your first steps in creating the project? Who helped you?

I organized my first Ukrainian event in the United States almost eight years ago, bringing together 600 people. And now it's the largest Ukrainian community with more than 290,000 members. Realizing the challenges immigrants face, I decided to help them adapt to the United States faster. As part of the project, we provide people with the necessary information and support. I am assisted by a team of 30 employees who work in the United States and Ukraine. Together, we build connections with Ukrainians abroad and strive to make sure they have the resources and support they need.

How much have you invested in the project? How do you plan to return the money?

The success of Ukrainian.US is based on the powerful synergy between media and advertising, which are my main business projects. Thanks to this, it has strong information and media support. Of course, I invest my own money in the project, but the most valuable investment is the time that my team and I devote to Ukrainian.US. We plan everything from the idea to the implementation and further development of each stage. The return on investment is not in financial terms.

What kind of information support do you provide? Through what channels?

First, we have a website filled with important information for immigrants, including information about housing, work, and various services. We also publish major news and provide access to Ukrainian radio stations. More than 200,000 people visit the site every month. Second, the Ukrainian.US project has social media. This is a community where people can ask questions to those who have already successfully completed the immigration process. This peer-to-peer interaction is invaluable for people looking for practical advice. Third, the Ukrainian.US team organizes various courses, seminars, and charity events. They are most useful for those seeking to build or develop their business in the United States or Canada. And a special place among them is occupied by the Ukrainian Business Forum, where successful entrepreneurs share their experience, give advice, teach and inspire. The Ukrainian.US project supports the Ukrainian diaspora by facilitating smoother integration of immigrants.

Open opportunities

What is the concept of the Ukrainian Business Forum?

First of all, it is a leading platform for networking and establishing business connections. It brings together speakers, mentors, and business coaches from the American, Canadian, and European markets who have Ukrainian roots. The forum is a source of exchange of experience and innovative ideas. All this creates a general atmosphere of partnership. The participants of the business forum are successful Ukrainian companies that want to conquer the US market and expand their presence on the international market. As the forum has grown, demand for educational initiatives has also increased. This reflects the desire of Ukrainian entrepreneurs to launch and scale their businesses around the world. Through conferences covering various business sectors, the forum brings professionals together to create new opportunities for them.

How much do businessmen have to pay to become a member of the Ukrainian Business Forum?

Participation in the forum is by invitation only, without any fees. Participants must be the founders of an officially registered business that has been operating for more than two years and has an annual turnover of at least $300 thousand. In addition, they must share the core values of the forum: trust and professionalism, openness, tolerance, social responsibility, cooperation, and innovation.

Can you share any specific results of the forum?

By meeting entrepreneurs from all over the world, the platform opens up new opportunities for business development. These are experts from various industries, including logistics and transportation, beauty industry, marketing, restaurant and hotel sectors. Participants will learn about the launch of franchises for various types of businesses in the United States and receive advertising support from Geometria. For example, thanks to strategic networking, one businessman received $20,000,000 in funding for a trailer manufacturing company. During the forum, we also raise funds to support Ukrainians. The largest donation collected during the charity auction at the Ukrainian Business Forum dedicated to logistics and transportation in 2023 amounted to $73,000.

What are you particularly proud of?

I am proud that this project unites Ukrainians in the United States, regardless of how long they have lived here. Ukrainians are smart people with big hearts who deserve to be recognized and deserve to have a successful life abroad. Every year we organize more than 20 thematic cultural events attended by more than 10,000 people. These events help visitors maintain a connection with their homeland and serve as a platform for talented artists and musicians and Ukrainian business representatives. By promoting national traditions and motivating promising companies, we contribute to the further development and growth of the community.

In search of new talents

You are also the owner of the TOP USA project. What is this event about?

The Ukrainian community in America is passionate about recognizing local talent and has created the TOP USA Awards. This prestigious award recognizes the unprecedented achievements of Ukrainians in various industries across the United States. It is given to businessmen with Ukrainian roots who have built thriving businesses on American soil. During the awards ceremony, each of the TOP 100 receives a personalized award symbolizing their exceptional achievements, as well as a unique book dedicated to the top 100 people in their fields, where their name appears next to the names of the award winners. Among the most prominent entrepreneurs in 2023 are Alexander and Tanya Popovich, co-founders of Vista Trans Holding Inc, Sergey CJ Karman, founder and CEO of Ezlogz and EzTechTonic, and others.

What is the role of Ukrainian.US in creating a Ukrainian camp at the Burning Man festival?

Thanks to the efforts of the Ukrainian.US team, a Ukrainian camp at the annual Burning Man cultural event held in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada, is becoming a reality. In 2024, we plan to introduce MISTO, a unique Ukrainian camp that makes a significant step in promoting our culture on the international stage. It will be a platform for talented Ukrainians to showcase their skills. Among the talents is artist Olya Rondyak, who will present her fascinating art installation entitled "Motanky". Complementing the artistic showcase will be the camp's menu, designed by renowned Ukrainian chef Yevhen Klopotenko and brought to life by chef Dima Martsenyuk. The project highlights Ukraine's vibrant cultural heritage and promotes global recognition of its artistic and culinary excellence. By integrating traditional and contemporary Ukrainian elements, MISTO promises to be a standout event at Burning Man.

What are your strategic plans for the project? How do you plan to develop it?

We are currently in talks with several large American companies about a potential merger, which will help us expand our global presence. The project is experiencing strong organic growth and is becoming more and more well-known among Ukrainians. One of our main goals is to raise awareness of Ukrainian.US in Ukraine and attract the best talent. We are always open to new partnerships, please contact info@ukrainian.us.