The StarTech program of supporting digital transformation of small and medium enterprises is a part of a triannual project to promote innovation and digital transformation in Serbia, which is conducted by NALED with the support of the company Philip Morris. The goal of the project is accelerating the growth of Serbian companies, and transforming the traditional agriculture based economy into digital, export oriented economy based on knowledge and innovation.

This year, from 18th of March until 18th of May 2022. is the second open call to support innovation and digital transformation, where entrepreneurs, micro, small and medium enterprises, and teams of up to five people can apply for non-refundable funding up to a million dollars and up to one thousand hours of expert consultation aid.

Participation conditions

Activities that can be financed via the grant are:

• Innovation development by use of new or significantly improved products/services, processes, marketing methods or new business methods in an organization or a business’ relationship with its surroundings.
• Digital transformation of an enterprise, or applying digital and technological solutions which will affect its improvement, business reorganization and enhancing the business’ performances.

The value of individual grants goes from 15.000 up to 100.000 dollars, depending on the user and type of support.

LOT 1: Supporting startups with innovative ideas:

• Users: Newly created teams and startup businesses which have been founded not earlier than 01.01.2020.
• Purpose: Innovation development – proof of concepts, prototype development, implementation or commercialization of an innovation.
• Grant value: 15.000 – 25.000 dollars, with minimum of 10% of the user’s financial participation.

LOT 2: Supporting small and medium enterprises for innovation development and/or digital transformation

• Users: SMEs which have been founded not later than 31.12.2019.
• Purpose: LOT 2 is accessible to projects whose aim is implementation/commercialization of an innovation and/or digital transformation.
• Grant value: 25.000 – 50.000 dollars, with minimum of 20% of the user’s financial participation.

LOT 3: Supporting small and medium enterprises for innovation development or digital transformation, with the goal of exporting or jobs increase

• Users: SMEs which have been founded not later than 31.12.2019.
• Purpose: LOT 3 is accessible to projects whose aim is implementation/commercialization of an innovation for export, and/or digital transformation with jobs increase/established export.
• Grant value: 50.000 – 100.000 dollars, with minimum of 30% of the user’s financial participation.

Voucher program

The selected users will, besides the financial aid, receive expert consultation through a voucher program with the value up to 10% of the total project value for LOT 1, 5% of the total project value for LOT 2, and 3% of the total project value for LOT 3. In accordance with their needs, the users can apply for support in the areas of business development, marketing, design, IT, legal support, tax, accounting and financial support, market research, HR, IP support, licensing, certification, etc.

Professional support

Potential candidates can apply for professional support for business plan development, as a key element of the application, by submitting the application form until 18. of April 2022. via the link www.startech.org.rs/prijava-podrska-2022

Besides, NALED will provide advisory support to all interested applicants, via the contact center available on the email address: info@startech.org.rs and the phone number 0800 000020, just as via answering the FAQs that will be published on www.startech.org.rs.

Applications

The complete set of required documentation for the preparation of application is available on NALED’s webpage www.startech.org.rs/konkurs2022. The candidates should download the documentation for the LOT they are applying, and upload the filled documentation through the webpage www.startech.org.rs/prijava-2022

Time frame

• Organizing local info days – March/April 2022.
• Deadline for professional support applications – 18. of April 23:59 local time.
• Application deadline – 19. of May 23:59 local time.
• Administrative check on received applications – May 2022.
• Short-listed candidate selections – June 2022.
• Field visits to short-listed candidates – June/July/August/September 2022.
• Final event and project presentation – October 2022.
• Financing decision – October 2022.