LenderKit Speaks at the UiA Crowdfunding Research Conference: Crowdfunding for and by Ukraine

At LenderKit, we believe in the power of crowdfunding not only as a financial mechanism but as a lifeline in times of crisis. In December 2022, our CEO and Co-Founder of LenderKit, Konstantin Boyko, had the honor of speaking at the Crowdfunding Research Conference in Oslo, hosted by the UiA Crowdfunding Research Center and organized by Professor Rotem Shneor.

The conference brought together academics, industry professionals, and innovators to exchange perspectives on how crowdfunding is evolving worldwide. While the word “research” may sound routine, this event proved to be dynamic, engaging, and deeply relevant to the global crowdfunding community.

Crowdfunding in Ukraine: a story of resilience

Konstantin’s talk focused on crowdfunding for and by Ukraine, where the practice has become a cornerstone of national resistance and humanitarian support. Since the start of the war, Ukrainians have turned crowdfunding into a fast, grassroots response system for everything from basic supplies to high-tech equipment.

Some of the key driving forces behind Ukrainian crowdfunding include:

• Collective responsibility: almost everyone contributes, either as a donor or a volunteer, giving whatever they can, as often as they can.
  
• Simplicity and speed: instead of building traditional platforms, Ukrainians widely use “jars” from Monobank — instant savings accounts that can be shared via a link and funded in minutes.
  
• Resilience through action: each act of destruction only motivates more people to contribute, creating a cycle of solidarity.
  
• Breadth of initiatives: from purchasing socks for soldiers to funding advanced drones, no need is too small or too ambitious.

Our role in the conversation

At LenderKit and across our sister brands — CrowdSpace and JustCoded — we’re committed to advancing crowdfunding technology and awareness. Sharing Ukraine’s story at the UiA conference was a way to highlight how crowdfunding transcends financial markets: it’s a tool for survival, community building and collective strength.

Gratitude and looking forward

We extend our sincere thanks to UiA Crowdfunding Research Center and Rotem Shneor for organizing such a well-executed event and for giving us the platform to shed light on crowdfunding’s critical role in Ukraine.

We look forward to contributing to future research initiatives and continuing the dialogue on how crowdfunding can empower communities, businesses, and entire nations.