The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) seeks to support and collaborate with high-potential, innovative, and growth-oriented startups that meet the EU criteria for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and are based in one of the six Western Balkans countries (WB6). These startups should demonstrate the potential for rapid scaling and attracting investment. They will be supported through a range of tailored advisory instruments, aligned with their specific business needs.

The program is looking for registered private enterprises that meet the following criteria: A proven innovative technological solution or an innovative business model; A significant market opportunity; A strong competitive advantage; Less than 10 years since the company’s registration; Proof that the beneficiary is majority-owned by citizens of the countries where the EBRD operates; Significant revenue growth within three years of starting operations.    

Program Phases: Application Deadline: February 25, 2025 Preliminary Selection Notification / Pitch Invitation: March 7, 2025 Company Pitch Sessions & Final Selection: Late March / Early April 2025.    

Areas of support:

Areas of Support: Strategy and Planning Engineering, Technical Solutions, and Business Model Improvement Fundraising, Financial Management, and Financial Reporting Information Technology and Digitalization Innovation, Intellectual Property, and Licensing Internationalization and Scaling Lean and Agile Processes Corporate Governance and Compliance Marketing, Communications, and Sales Operations and Quality Management Organization, Leadership, and Human Resources Pitching, Equity, and Investor Relations

Application process:

For more information about the program and the application link, you can visit the website: https://www.ebrd.com/starventure/overview. The application must be submitted by February 25, 2025 (end of the business day).

Before filling out the application, ensure that your company’s financial data (official or in an open format) and the pitch deck (PDF format) are ready for upload. Please make sure to fill out the form as accurately as possible.