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

Apply to Join Katapult '24 now!

Apply to Join Katapult '24 now!

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

The Innovation Fund is pleased to announce the third Katapult public call, supported by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, the World Bank and the European Union, for innovative startups seeking financial and mentoring support to reach their full potential and conquer global markets. This leading accelerator in Serbia provides a unique opportunity for ambitious teams to realize their business visions and gain the necessary resources and knowledge for success.

Applications from all fields are welcome. The deadline for applying through the Katapult portal is October 16, 2023, at 1:00 PM Central European Time.

What are the benefits of the Katapult program?

• Financial support: Startups have access to At-entry-grants from EUR 20,000 (for the Ideation category of companies) to EUR 50,000 (for the Scale-up category of companies). In addition, co-investment grants of up to EUR 300,000 in total (including At-entry grants) will be available to Awardees who secure a qualifying equity investment within nine months after the acceleration program.
• Mentoring and counseling: Startups will have the opportunity to work with more than 40 international and local mentors, all of whom are former founders from various industries. During a three-month intensive program, these mentors will guide them through the development process and provide valuable expertise.
• Investor network: Katapult has a strong network of investors, enabling startups to connect with potential investors and partners for further development of their innovations.
• Educational programs: In addition to financial support, startups will have access to various educational programs, workshops, and lectures that will help them enhance their skills and knowledge in the business world.
• Peer learning: Katapult is a highly competitive program, with an experienced and cooperative founder community, Katapult Circles. Access to peers who are at the same stages of company development is among the most valuable aspects of the program.
• Corporate partnership: A number of corporate partners will offer select benefits to Awardees.

"We were thrilled that Katapult gathered a large number of mentors with significant experience in business and overall entrepreneurship. We received valuable advice regarding product development, business scaling, entering new markets, and also on how a small company can transform into a large international corporation," emphasized Mihajlo Nikodijević, the founder of the startup Tapni, one of the participants in the Katapult acceleration program.

Katapult has gained a reputation as one of the most influential accelerators in the region, currently having 39 satisfied startup companies in its portfolio that have gone through a three-month intensive acceleration program. To date, from 19 startups from the first cohort, 16 have manage to raise funds. The total funding raised by Katapult startups is EUR 15 million, based on which the Fund has approved an additional EUR 4 million.

The joint investment of the Republic of Serbia (Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovations), the World Bank, and the European Union through the Katapult program of the Innovation Fund have a significant role in the comprehensive development of Serbia's innovative startup ecosystem.

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