Applications for New Raising Starts Program – Grants of up to CHF 20,000 for Startups

The Science-Technology Park Belgrade (STP Belgrade) has opened, with the support of the Swiss government and in partnership with the Science-Technology Park Nis (STP Nis) and the Science-Technology Park Cacak (STP Cacak) a new invitation for Raising Starts, a program meant for the acceleration of the development of startups in the early phase. The program provides a series of trainings, mentorship sessions adjusted to the specific needs of the startups, as well as financial support of up to CHF 20,000 for the development of a prototype or a product with a minimum of functionality (a so-called MVP) which can be tested in the market.

Applications are open until October 11, and the details can be found on the official page of the program.

Eligible startup teams are those with at least two members in an early development phase, as well as micro companies (in the form of limited-liability companies) with a majority Serbian ownership, not older than two years on the date of the opening of the invitation, in early development phases and with at least one team member in the majority ownership structure (at least 80%) listed in the application.

If it is a registered company, it needs to pick the STP to which it naturally gravitates according to its seat in the region/area. Likewise, in case of qualifying for Phase 2, the teams are obliged to register a company in the region/area which naturally gravitates to the STP picked in the application.

The program consists of two phases.

In the first phase, the startups selected at this contest will work on developing their business ideas and attend various trainings in the field of business development, for a period of one month. By taking active part in these workshops, the startups will learn how to confirm the feasibility of their business ideas by using the “Lean Startup” methodology. At the end of Phase 1, the participants which meet the pre-defined criteria will present their ideas at the Demo Day in front of an expert jury.

Upon the completion of Phase 1, the selected teams and companies will be able to take part in Phase 2, in which, along with additional training and intensive mentorship sessions, they will also get the financial support in the amount of CHF 15,000 for the development of innovative software, or up to CHF 20,000 for the development of innovative products.

The program lasts for eight months.