Who Is Going to Make the Next International Sale? Grow Global program starts in Ukraine and Estonia 

A good product can open the door to a foreign market, but it can’t walk through that door on its own. Someone has to find the right buyer, make the first contact, understand what the customer needs, negotiate terms, and turn a conversation into a deal. For companies looking to grow internationally, finding the right person to do that work can matter just as much as choosing the right market.

That’s becoming harder than it sounds. Companies need people who understand international business, communicate across borders, and know how to build relationships with foreign customers — while plenty of professionals with strong international backgrounds simply haven’t had the chance to work specifically in export. Grow Global was built to close that gap, connecting companies with the people who can help them sell abroad, but not only this.

Grow Global started in Ukraine and Estonia in summer 2026, with recruitment and selection forming the first stage in both countries. In Ukraine, that phase is now complete and the programme moves into its practical stage in September. In Estonia, recruitment is still underway, with companies and candidates continuing to join the programme through September. 

Ukraine: Building Stronger Export Teams 

Grow Global Ukraine was looking for people at the beginning of their careers in international trade and export who wanted to develop in an international business environment. This did not necessarily mean they were new to business or lacked international experience.

Applicants needed to be Ukrainian citizens, have higher education, sufficient English for international communication and a clear interest in international trade, B2B sales or export. Motivation to learn and work practically with companies was also an important part of the selection. Candidates with at least two years of international experience through work, study or living abroad were prioritised, as were those with relevant education or professional experience.

Companies in Ukraine could join Grow Global in three different ways, depending on where they were in their export journey.

The first format was for companies looking to recruit a new export professional from the Grow Global candidate pool. The matchmaking took place in July, after the programme team had reviewed applications and conducted initial one-to-one interviews with the pre-selected candidates. Companies and candidates then met online, with both sides able to choose whom they wanted to meet and decide whether there was a good fit.

This first format has already produced a concrete result: Ukrainian companies hired candidates through the matchmaking process. Not everyone from the initial candidate pool moved forward — only those who received a job offer and were hired by participating companies continued into the practical stage of the programme.

The second format was for companies that had already hired a junior employee between May and August 2026. These companies could use Grow Global to develop someone who had just joined their team, rather than recruit through the programme.

The third was designed for companies with an existing export function. Owners, export managers and employees responsible for international sales with at least one year of export experience could join advanced training focused on export management and ESG principles.

For the participants now moving forward, the next step is the practical part of the programme. On 2 September, they will officially begin the six-module Export Academy EU Edition, with training, practical assignments and mentoring connected to the real export needs of their companies.

Estonia: Putting Experience to Work for Export

In Estonia, Grow Global follows the same basic model as in Ukraine: companies define the export capacity they need, candidates bring their experience and skills, and the two sides meet through matchmaking before deciding whether to work together.

The key feature of the Estonian edition is its candidate profile. The programme is specifically aimed at people aged 55 and over who live in Estonia and are currently not in paid employment. Candidates need higher education, C1-level English and at least two years of international experience gained through work, study or living abroad. Previous export experience is not required — that is what the programme is designed to teach.

For companies, the process is straightforward. They register, describe their export goals and the type of specialist they need, and then meet the candidates during the matchmaking stage. In September, every participating company will have the opportunity to meet the candidates, after which companies conduct final interviews and choose the person they want to work with. The decision to hire or cooperate is made by the company and the candidate together.

Once the match is confirmed, the specialist joins the five-month development programme. Training, mentoring and practical assignments are built around the company’s actual export challenge. Participants may work on target market analysis, finding potential customers, developing an export action plan, building sales processes or preparing for international negotiations.

The Estonian recruitment stage is still underway. Companies and candidates can apply until 14 September 2026, with matchmaking planned for September–October.

What Happens Next?

The first steps have been taken, but the real story is only beginning.

In Ukraine, companies have already made their first hires through Grow Global, while participants across all three programme formats are preparing to start the practical stage. In Estonia, the recruitment and matchmaking process is still underway.

The coming months will show what happens when new talent, existing teams and international experience are put to work on real export challenges.

For now, it is too early to talk about results. The interesting part is still ahead.