The team “EchoCare” from Novoyavorivsk Vocational School in Lviv region took third place at the national youth entrepreneurship contest “JA Company of the Year 2025.” The students presented an innovative mobile application—a virtual translator that converts audio into sign language in real time, designed specifically for people with hearing impairments.
The final round of the competition took place on May 16 in Kyiv during the Youth Business Day. A total of 33 teams, winners of regional rounds, competed, representing vocational and technical institutions from 16 regions of Ukraine.
According to Vira Druhova, program manager at Junior Achievement Ukraine, the process of building a student mini-company lasted about eight months and involved all stages from idea development to product design, promotion, logistics, and sales.
The ultimate prize was the opportunity to represent Ukraine at the Gen-E European youth entrepreneurship festival in Greece. To earn it, teams had to demonstrate the full extent of their experience—business concept, product, marketing plan, and persuasive presentation skills.
A jury composed of prominent Ukrainian entrepreneurs and top managers assessed each mini-company based on creativity, implementation, product quality, market success, and overall presentation.
Top Winners:
-
Stick-Friend (Svaliava Vocational College, Zakarpattia region) – a smart cane with safety features for people with limited mobility.
-
You.Pottery (Horishni Plavni, Poltava region) – a creative platform for pottery workshops.
-
EchoCare (Novoyavorivsk, Lviv region) – a real-time audio-to-sign-language translator app.
Special Awards for Lviv Region:
-
Audience Choice Award – “Element” from Lviv Beauty and Fashion Industry College (eco-decor from egg trays).
-
Social Impact in Business – “EchoCare” from Novoyavorivsk Vocational School.
-
Turbo Development – “Tetra Force” from Novoyavorivsk VPU (educational card game).
-
Ukraine Forever – “Digital printing” from Lviv Service and Printing College (3D-printed temporary prosthetics).
-
Balance Effect – “JA The Beauty of a Dream” from Boryslav Professional Education Center (free hairdressing services for vulnerable groups).
The “Company” program has been running in Lviv region for three years. In the 2024-2025 academic year, 394 students from 45 educational institutions participated, creating 51 mini-companies.
Nationwide, the program involved 180 educational institutions from 16 regions and Kyiv, resulting in 222 student-led mini-companies and more than 2,300 participants.