Description

The EBRD’s Star Venture programme targets promising start-ups, accelerators and consultants to unleash their full potential. Working with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for over 25 years has given the EBRD unique expertise in bolstering the start-up ecosystem across its regions.

Star Venture leverages a dedicated network of mentors and advisers to channel a whole range of bespoke advisory services and industry best practices to start-ups. Through strategic compass workshops led by Cambridge IfM Engage, world-class advisory, mentoring and access to finance and market development, the programme helps start-ups improve the efficiency of their results and scale rapidly.

At the same time, Star Venture helps young companies remove some of the systemic barriers to accessing finance by connecting them to a network of investors with a strategic interest in the early-stage space.

Star Venture mobilises mentors to help build accelerators’ own capacity to train start-ups and support their growth journey. The programme lends accelerators the tools to enhance the business performance of their cohort of young companies, while benefitting the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem. In addition to this, the programme offers ecosystem support, such as training for local investors to develop their capacity, crowdfunding opportunities, and policy advisory for governments dedicated to supporting start-ups. 

The EBRD’s Star Venture programme also offer guidance to local advisers on how to work with start-ups so they can mentor them in the future.

Star Venture has supported over 550 high-potential early-stage companies in 23 countries, spanning the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region (SEMED), the Western Balkans, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Türkiye.

While the programme is only available for the time being in the aforementioned regions, they are committed to extending access to finance and know-how to entrepreneurs across all our countries of operations.  

Deadline

West Bank and Gaza October 10th, 2024

Egypt August 20th, 2024

 Kazakhstan July 19th, 2024

Find application form here