Ukraine Foundation
Inspiring Change, Driving Impact
Michael Granger is a Co-Founder, President, and CEO of the Third Millennium Partners. He comes to this position with a 30-year background working in Fortune 100 corporations, managing venture capital/private equity funds, and as an entrepreneur. He performed a principal role in venture capital/private equity funds with an aggregate of over $500 million in assets under management.
He was the Program Director for the Massachusetts MBDA. Business Center, serving the New England Region.
As a venture capital investor at Cigna Venture Capital, Inc., and Xerox Venture Capital, he served as co-lead investor and invested in several high technology companies in Silicon Valley, the Boston area, and Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
He founded Ark Direct Capital Fund, L.P., one of the earliest venture capital firms to raise institutional capital to invest in minority and women businesses. He actively developed portfolio companies, provided strategic advice, and connected them to his vast network of contacts and resources.
In addition to these experiences, he has worked internationally in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean in business development, foreign investments, and renewable energy, acquiring expertise in developing utility-scale solar power plants and doing business in emerging economies.
Michael Granger has been a private equity investments expert for programs at Harvard Business School, Dartmouth College, the U.S. Commerce Department, the Small Business Association, the National Black M.B.A. Association, the Alliance of Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs and the American Association of Entrepreneurs.
He is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Entrepreneurs, the American Youth Soccer Organization (A.Y.S.O.) as well as of several of Ark’s portfolio companies. Michael Granger also served on a White House Panel of Business Leaders convened by the President’s Chief Economic Advisors.
His publications include: ‘Case Study on Hospital Management Companies’; an editorial piece in The Wall Street Journal on Capital Gains Tax Reduction; and a Study on Venture Capital Opportunities in the Telecommunication Industry (Tuck Today Magazine).
Michael Granger earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and an M.B.A. from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College. He honorably served four years of active duty in the United States Marine Corps.
Milan: Natalie Shkarban At Ukraine Recovery Conference’s Milan Preparatory Business Forum
On 5 March 2025, Milan hosted the pivotal “On the Road to URC 2025” business forum, marking a significant milestone in the lead-up to the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) scheduled for 10–11 July in Rome. This preparatory event convened over 550 representatives from 23 countries, including government officials, international financial institutions, and private sector leaders, to strategize Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and economic revitalization.
Keynote speakers included Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal (via video message), First Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and Lombardy Region President Attilio Fontana. Their addresses underscored the urgency of mobilizing international investment and fostering public-private partnerships to rebuild Ukraine’s infrastructure, energy systems, and industrial base.
Discussions at the forum focused on several strategic areas:
• Investment and Financing: Exploring mechanisms to attract foreign capital, including risk insurance and government incentives.
• Energy Resilience and Green Transition: Promoting sustainable energy solutions and the development of a green energy system in Ukraine.
• Industrial Production and SMEs: Enhancing local manufacturing capabilities and integrating Ukrainian small and medium-sized enterprises into global supply chains.
• Infrastructure and Housing: Reconstructing critical infrastructure and providing housing solutions for internally displaced persons.
The event also highlighted collaborative initiatives such as the partnership between Lombardy and Zaporizhzhia regions and the presentation of a master plan for Mykolaiv’s recovery.
This Milan forum set the stage for the upcoming URC 2025 in Rome, which aims to consolidate international support and secure tangible commitments for Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.
FAQs
How does the Ukraine Foundation support individuals affected by war?
The foundation empowers war-affected individuals by providing skill development programs, training opportunities, and employment initiatives. It collaborates with governments and stakeholders to shape policies that help displaced individuals integrate into job markets. Additionally, it supports entrepreneurial ventures through financial assistance, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
How does the Ukraine Foundation foster creativity and innovation?
The foundation supports creative minds by offering scholarships and grants for transformative projects in education, the humanities, and the arts. It implements programs that encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, artistic expression, and academic excellence. Additionally, it connects emerging talents with experienced professionals and organizes high-profile events to amplify creative voices.
What kind of entrepreneurial support does the Ukraine Foundation provide?
The foundation encourages and supports entrepreneurial ventures by offering financial assistance, guidance, and networking opportunities. It helps individuals, especially those affected by war, establish their own businesses and develop sustainable economic solutions. Innovation-driven projects that contribute to rebuilding communities are also a key focus of its support.
Can I apply to be a part of the team or work as a contractor?
The foundation welcomes individuals who are passionate about its mission to apply for team positions or contractor opportunities. The foundation seeks talented professionals across various fields to support its initiatives in creativity, economic resilience, and global cooperation. Interested candidates can explore available opportunities on LinkedIn or contact us directly for more information. Selection is based on expertise, alignment with the foundation’s values, and the potential to contribute meaningfully to its programs.
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