Mission France 2025 – Apply for a startup study visit to France and participation in the Viva Tech conference. - Naučno-tehnološki park Beograd

Mission France 2025 – Apply for a startup study visit to France and participation in the Viva Tech conference.

Posted on by NTPteam

For the third year, Science Technology Park Belgrade is taking startups on a study visit to France, including participation in VivaTech—one of the world’s leading tech conferences.

Applications are officially open HERE.

Mission France is a unique initiative designed to support Serbian startups in their international expansion and boost their export potential through knowledge exchange and connections with key players on the global stage.

The program results from a joint collaboration between the Embassy of France in Serbia and Science Technology Park Belgrade, in partnership with BPI France and La French Tech Belgrade. This year’s study visit is organized as part of the Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation’s Program for the Promotion and Popularization of Innovation Activities, further strengthening the ties between the Serbian and French innovation ecosystems.

Opportunities and benefits for startups

Mission France 2025 places a strong emphasis on learning, knowledge exchange, and networking, offering Serbian startup teams the opportunity to:

  • Explore the French innovation ecosystem and gain insights into best practices
  • Participate in VivaTech (June 2025, Paris), one of Europe’s most influential tech conferences
  • Arrange meetings with potential partners, investors, or clients
  • Expand their network and unlock new collaboration opportunities through the international network of BPI France and La French Tech

The study trip will take place in June 2025, during VivaTech. Selected startups will have their flight costs and conference passes covered, along with preparatory training to maximize the benefits of their participation.

Who can apply?

Startup companies that:

  • develop an innovative product (software and/or hardware, or physical product) with a scalable business model and a global expansion ambitio
  • have a developed prototype/MVP (a tested MVP with initial users is considered an advantage
  • are majority Serbian-owned, with at least 70% of the company owned by the founders (individuals) and have up to 50 employees (classified as micro or small enterprises)
  • are registered as a limited liability company (LLC) for less than 10 years

Startup teams from science and spin-offs that:

  • develop an innovative product (software and/or a physical product) based on scientific research, with a scalable business model and ambitions for global expansion
  • have a developed prototype/MVP (a tested MVP with early users is considered an advantage)
  • consist of at least two team members/founders and have majority Serbian ownership
  • have defined intellectual property

Criteria and selection process

A selected number of teams will be invited to present before an expert jury at a pitch event on April 3rd at Science Technology Park Beograde. 

After the pitches, the expert jury will select startup teams to participate in a study visit to France in June 2025. Chosen startups will have their flight and conference fees covered, along with training to help them prepare for the study visit.

Evaluation criteria:

  • Team experience and expertise
  • Market position and business model (scalability potential)
  • Previous achievements and plans (traction, investment readiness, etc.)
  • Pitch quality
  • Relevance of the Mission France study tour for the startup’s further development

Jury members

  •  Nicolas Rabrenovic, President, La French Tech Belgrade
  • Jean-François Béraud, Chief Innovation Officer, Advans
  •  Laurence Béchon, Chief Operating Officer, Software République
  •  Caroline Viarouge, Chief Executive Officer, EIT Manufacturing
  • Digital Serbia representative

How to apply?

All teams that meet the criteria are invited to apply by completing the application form. The application is in English and consists of:

  • Filling out a short application form
  • Submitting a pitch deck (up to 15 slides) based on the defined categories (a link to the pitch deck should be included in the application form)

Applications are open until March 18, 2025, on the LINK.

Obligations of selected startups

  • Commitment to the development of innovation
  • Compliance with the terms of participation in the study visit, including mandatory attendance at all activities planned within the Mission France initiative
  • Proactive engagement during the visit
  • Promotion of the support received
  • Membership in STP Belgrade (full or virtual), as decided by STP Belgrade, based on its capacities and application conditions