AIM Innovation Week is an international forum dedicated to learning, knowledge exchange, and the development of Montenegro’s innovation ecosystem, with a particular focus on sustainability, digital transformation, and priority growth sectors.

The event, organized by the Investment Agency of Montenegro, the EU Delegation, and the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro, and scheduled to take place from March 30 to April 1, is designed as a platform for exploration, knowledge exchange, and early networking among stakeholders, bringing together startups, experts, companies, and investors to jointly assess opportunities, challenges, and future directions for collaboration.

We invite the following groups to express their interest:

1. Startups

Innovative startups from Montenegro, the Western Balkans, and selected international ecosystems are invited to apply in order to:

• Present their solutions, products, and early-stage projects through “showcase” sessions
• Participate in thematic workshops in key sectors (ICT, agriculture, finance, energy, logistics)
• Learn from peers and experts in the ecosystem, while enhancing their visibility within the regional innovation community.

The focus is on learning, receiving feedback, and increasing visibility, with the aim of helping startups improve their business models, better understand market dynamics, and connect with relevant stakeholders as the ecosystem continues to develop.

2.Investors and company representatives

Venture capital funds, corporate innovation teams, and international financial institutions are invited to participate in AIM Innovation Week as:

• Observers of the ecosystem and opportunity scouts, gaining early insights into new startups and sector trends.
• Participants in discussions about what investors and companies look for in later stages of growth.
• Participants in dialogue on developing investment readiness and investment pipelines over time.

This phase of engagement is exploratory and investigative in nature, aimed at building long-term relationships rather than immediate transactions.

3. Experts from international organizations and the academic community

Experts, researchers, and practitioners from international organizations, development institutions, think tanks, and the academic community are invited to:

• Share international experiences, research, and best practices in the fields of innovation, sustainability, and sectoral transformation.
• Contribute to workshops and discussions focused on capacity building and ecosystem design.
• Collaborate with startups and policymakers to strengthen knowledge exchange and learning.

Their contribution will help ensure that the event is grounded in expertise, relevant content, and a long-term perspective.

The number of participants at AIM Innovation Week is limited. Interested startups, investors, and experts are invited to submit their expression of interest by clicking here, no later than March 13, 2026, at 23:00 (CET).

For additional information, please contact: [email protected]

We look forward to hosting you during a collaborative and forward-focused week dedicated to learning, knowledge exchange, and laying the foundations for innovation-driven growth in Montenegro.

What to Expect?

AIM Innovation Week encompasses capacity building, sectoral networking, and the creation of an investment pipeline within the AIM (Accelerating Investment in Montenegro) initiative.

The week begins with a half-day training bootcamp for entrepreneurs, focused on strengthening skills in pitching, negotiation, and investment readiness. This is followed by thematic sectoral sessions (ICT and AI, agriculture and retail, finance and fintech, renewable energy and green technologies, transport and logistics), structured around innovation trends, company challenges, opportunities for collaboration between startups and corporations, mentorship, and concrete action steps.

A dedicated session on financing and investment will bring together international financial institutions, venture capital funds, business angels, and public institutions, aiming to present financial instruments, launch and showcase the Montenegro Innovation Fund, and facilitate connections through deal-flow matchmaking.

Who Can Participate?

Applications are open to all stakeholders with a relevant role in the development of Montenegro’s innovation ecosystem, including startups, experts, companies, and investors active in key sectors (ICT, agriculture, finance, energy, logistics).

Evaluation of Expressions of Interest Each application will be assessed by two members of the AIM (Accelerating Investment in Montenegro) team, based on the following criteria:

• The applicant’s experience in the fields of sustainability, digital transformation, and priority growth sectors (ICT, agriculture, finance, energy, logistics).

• The quality and level of engagement demonstrated in the submitted motivation statement.