INNOVATION AND INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT OF FUNCTIONING AND MANAGEMENT OF INCLUSIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The article explores the essence, structure, and functional components of the innovation and investment environment as a fundamental factor in managing inclusive entrepreneurship in the context of transformational economic changes in Ukraine. It emphasizes the urgent need to rethink traditional entrepreneurship models in response to social challenges and to expand participation opportunities for vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons, veterans, people with disabilities, women, youth, and individuals of pre-retirement age. The study examines the current state of the innovation and investment climate in Ukraine, identifies existing barriers to inclusiveness, and highlights the importance of institutional development, regulatory support, financing mechanisms, and public-private partnerships for socially oriented businesses. The article substantiates the necessity of developing regional clusters of inclusive entrepreneurship, business incubators, and social investment programs as strategic tools for fostering long-term economic growth and social cohesion. The paper argues that Ukraine must adapt such practices to the conditions of post-war recovery and modernization, combining innovation-driven policies with social inclusion priorities. The empirical section presents a systematization of state, international, private, and educational programs supporting inclusive entrepreneurship in Ukraine, showing their potential to significantly increase employment, reduce inequality, and build entrepreneurial capacity among disadvantaged groups. The findings confirm that sustainable support of inclusive entrepreneurship requires coordinated policies aimed at expanding financial programs, creating innovation hubs, implementing tax incentives, and scaling educational and consulting initiatives. The conclusions stress that long-term systemic measures are essential to transforming current barriers into opportunities, ensuring competitiveness, attracting international investment, and strengthening social resilience. Thus, the innovation and investment environment emerges as not only an economic but also a social foundation for inclusive entrepreneurship, shaping a new entrepreneurial mindset based on responsibility, partnership, and sustainable development.