The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is receiving applications for its Star Venture programme in Romania, which offers comprehensive support for high-potential startups.

Applications for the Star Venture programm are open until 16 March 2025.

Around 10 startups will be shortlisted to take part in an in-person pitching event in Bucharest on 8 April 2025, where they will showcase their business to a panel of EBRD and local business representatives.

Five finalists will be selected to join the 24-month programme that includes:

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  • strategy workshops: online sessions with Cambridge University to refine strategy and advisory needs
  • business advice worth up to €40,000: customised, hands-on advisory services from local and international consultants, covering key areas such as strategy, marketing, operations, technology and certification
  • world-class mentoring: access to more than 1,500 expert mentors via the digital platform Dosen
  • access to finance: investor pitch events, networking and tailored fundraising support
  • access to markets: opportunities to attend conferences and trade shows to meet potential partners
  • cloud credits and e-learning: free cloud credits and e-learning resources from Coursera, Amazon and Microsoft.

Businesses can receive professional guidance on financial planning and strategic partnerships, develop digital marketing strategies, implement key systems such as customer relationship management, and prepare for international expansion.

Eligible startups must be majority privately and locally owned, with a scalable and innovative business model.

They should meet the European Union’s definition of a small or medium-sized enterprise, have been registered within the past 10 years, and generate annual revenues of under €1 million. More information is available in the programme guidelines.

The EBRD’s Star Venture programme supports promising startups, accelerators and consultants and is active in 26 of the Bank’s countries of operation, having helped over 550 early-stage companies.

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In Romania, the programme is funded by the TaiwanBusiness-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund through the EBRD’s Small Business Impact Fund (Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Norway, South Korea, Switzerland, Sweden, the United States of America and the TaiwanBusiness-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund).