Startup Early-Stage Development Support Programme

The Startup Early-Stage Development Support Programme is designed and intended to support highly promising teams aiming to validate their business ideas and demonstrate the future usefulness of their new product, service, process, or technology through the development of a first prototype or a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

Programme beneficiaries will receive non-refundable financial support and mentoring support to assist them in carrying out the first phase of in-depth market research, initiating product development, establishing their business model concept, and starting preparations for the next phase of fundraising and development.

During the implementation of the Programme, beneficiaries are expected to be able to achieve the following results:

• Validation of the idea and market need in a real market environment;
• Demonstration of basic technical performance of the product/service (through the development of a prototype, MVP, or pilot project);
• Creation of an efficient business model.

Achievement of these results should provide Programme beneficiaries with the necessary knowledge to help them further develop and verify the market fit of their products.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants for this Programme are:

1. Teams consisting of 2 to 5 members;
   or
2. Privately owned micro enterprises (in the form of a limited liability company), registered in Montenegro for no more than two (2) years at the time of application submission.

In cases where the application is submitted by a team, if funding is approved, the Applicant shall be required to establish a company in accordance with the Law on Business Organisations of Montenegro. The newly established company must be 100% owned by at least two proposed team members. The ownership shares among team members shall be determined in accordance with their internal agreement.

AMOUNT OF FUNDING

Grant funding that may be awarded by the Fund is limited to a maximum of EUR 30,000 per project, and the Fund’s financing may cover up to 90% of the total project budget (excluding mentoring service costs).

At least 10% of the total project budget (excluding mentoring support) must be secured by the Applicant from any private source as a cash contribution. In-kind contributions shall not be accepted.

In addition, all Programme beneficiaries shall receive an additional EUR 5,000 allocated specifically for mentoring support. The beneficiary shall pay the mentor directly from a dedicated line within the project budget. These funds may not be used for any other purpose.

ELIGIBLE COSTS

The following cost categories may be financed under this Call:

1. Human resources costs (salaries/fees for personnel engaged in project implementation, including all applicable taxes and social contributions related to personal work on the project);
2. Office space rental costs and basic operating expenses (accounting services, legal services, etc.);
3. Costs of equipment and assets required for development (excluding used or second-hand equipment and assets);
4. Costs of external business development services or research and development services;
5. VAT on eligible costs for which the Applicant cannot ensure reimbursement.

PROJECT DURATION

Beneficiaries are required to complete the implementation of their project activities within a period of 6 months.

In the event of a significant deviation from the original idea or unforeseen circumstances that the Fund may consider as force majeure, the implementation period may be extended by up to 3 months as a no-cost extension.

CONTENT OF THE PROJECT APPLICATION

The complete application documentation consists of the following two documents:

• Signed Applicant Statement (“Applicant Statement”);
• Completed Application Form (“Application Form”).

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications under the Public Call shall be submitted via the Fund’s portal https://programifonda.me starting from 5 May 2026, and no later than 3 June 2026 by 3:00 PM.

CONTACT

E-mail: startap@fondzainovacije.me
Telephone: +382 20 653 891