Abstract: The current stage of economic development is characterized by an increase in crisis phenomena. In these conditions, innovative activity becomes the basis of the successful functioning of the enterprise. Innovative activity is always a necessary and important condition for the successful development of the enterprise, as well as the basis for achieving sustainable competitive advantages in the global market environment, therefore its implementation is accompanied by a number of specific innovative risks, and the study of their nature is relevant. There is no full guarantee that the result of the application of innovative activity will be positive, therefore, compared to other types of activity, such activity is more associated with risk. Risk is a constant concomitant factor of any innovative activity and it cannot be avoided in the practical activities of enterprises. In general, as a process, innovative activity acquires meaning only when the effectiveness of the desired result exceeds as many possible risks as possible in the process of achieving it. It follows that the greater the desired effect of the expected result, the higher the risk to which the participants of achieving this result will be exposed. Risk and innovation are always interdependent categories, so it is impossible to completely prevent risks in this activity. Then the problem arises in minimizing the risk to increase the efficiency of the desired result. This problem concerns not only innovative activities, but also business as a whole. Therefore, ensuring the effectiveness of innovative activities of enterprises consists in properly taking into account all measures aimed at preventing risk and reducing its consequences.