Public Call is open!

Katapult: Leap to Investors

The fourth public call for the Serbia Innovation Fund’s Acceleration Program is open

The Innovation Fund invites all startup ecosystem members to apply for participation in the new public call of the Katapult Acceleration Program until September 10, 2024. As a leader in supporting accelerated startup development, Katapult offers a unique opportunity for all innovative startups looking to enhance their operations and conquer the global market.

The program provides mentorship and counselling from experienced professionals, connects startups with investors, offers educational programs, facilitates knowledge exchange, fosters corporate partnerships, and offers significant financial support up to EUR 300,000. Katapult is designed to help startups achieve their full potential and establish a quicker presence on the global stage.

The fourth support cycle of the Katapult program was enabled thanks to the joint partnership of the Government of the Republic of Serbia - Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation, the European Union, and the World Bank, which further strengthened the ambitions of our innovation ecosystem to be recognized and competitive through this program.

By launching the Katapult program, Serbia has become known for its growing startup scene and widespread enthusiasm within the startup community. Over three years, Katapult has achieved significant results with 61 supported startups, whose current market value is $255 million. Within a year of joining Katapult, these startups have raised over $25 million in private investments. Investor interest is growing, opening new opportunities for financing and investment in the future of innovative startups.

"What I find very impressive in the Serbian startup ecosystem is that the technical talent is very good, and the products are coming out really strong, thanks to the Katapult program. I think one of the challenges from the past was that Serbian startups usually don't have enough experience in global scaling, sales, and marketing. I think that's changing. Hopefully, we will see more and more startups building global products for the global markets as well," emphasizes Michael Csonga, general partner of Zero One Hundred, one of the renowned venture capital funds in Europe with representative offices in Prague, Slovakia, and Cyprus.

Applications are available through the Katapult portal, and necessary documentation can be found on the internet presentation of the Innovation Fund.

Additional funding for the implementation of the fourth public call of the Katapult program is provided from the budget of the Republic of Serbia through the Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation, totalling EUR 3 million.

Financing for Katapult is provided by the Republic of Serbia (Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation), through EUR 7.7 million World Bank loan with implementation support, and the European Union, through EUR 10 million grant. The program is part of the "Serbia Accelerating Innovation and Growth Entrepreneurship Project," dedicated to strengthening innovative entrepreneurship and scientific research.