We are building a startup ecosystem that helps founders move from an early-stage tech idea to a validated solution - exactly when they need support the most.

Raising Starts is a unique pre-seed accelerator program for startups and early-stage startup teams. Through its support, it helps teams better understand the problem they are solving, validate the potential of their innovative technological solution, and continue with further development.

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* The program is supported through the project “Technopark Serbia 3 - Innovate Forward Project”.

Raising Starts enables you to:

Expand your knowledge

Through workshops and training sessions, you gain the knowledge needed to develop an innovative product, understand the market, and plan next steps-especially in areas where you may lack experience but that are crucial for success.

Collaborate with experts

Local and international mentors and experts from various fields provide support tailored to your team’s needs and the stage of your solution’s development.

Use innovation infrastructure

You gain access to innovation labs, equipment, and resources that support the development of hardware and other technological solutions. Teams working on hardware, in particular, have access to 3D printers and scanners, CNC machines, laser equipment, and other tools available through the program.

What’s yours stays yours

The program is no equity, meaning you develop your innovative product without giving up ownership and with full control over its development.

Prepare for the next steps

You lay the foundation for further development of your innovation, testing solutions, building prototypes, and joining future support programs, with the opportunity to connect with other startups and key players in the innovation ecosystem.

Receive financial support

Financial support of up to 30,000 CHF helps you develop and validate your innovative product more easily and accelerate the next phase of its development.

Application and Selection Process

The first step toward the program is the application, through which you present your idea, team, problem, and the solution you are developing. After the evaluation of applications, teams that demonstrate the highest potential and alignment with the program’s goals advance to Phase 1.

Phase 1

Through workshops, trainings, and mentoring sessions, you work on validating your business idea, better understanding the problem, users, and the market, as well as shaping the direction of further development.

Demo day

At the end of Phase 1, you present your team and idea to a jury at Demo Day. The most successful teams, based on the evaluation, move on to Phase 2.

Phase 2

In Phase 2, the focus is on further development and improvement of your product or service. Through additional workshops and training, one-on-one sessions with local and international mentors, and non-dilutive financial support of up to 30,000 CHF, you gain the conditions to further develop, test, and prepare your innovation for the next stages of growth.

Your global success begins here!

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From Local Roots to Global Wins

Who can apply:

YES if:

YOU ARE STARTUP TEAM

with at least 2 members and clearly defined roles in developing the business idea

YOU ARE MICRO ENTERPRISE

majority-owned in Serbia, registered no longer than 2 years at the time of the public call

YOU ARE DEVELOPING

an innovative technological solution (hardware or software)

NO if:

You have already secured 30,000 CHF or more from public or private funding sources

Your startup is majority-owned by a parent company

You are developing a solution in any of the following industries:

production or trade of weapons and ammunition
production or trade of alcoholic beverages (except beer and wine)
production or trade of tobacco
gambling, casinos, and related activities

*The full list of criteria and excluded industries is available in the Guide and the Public Call.

Apply

What do we expect from you?

Commitment to developing your own idea and actively participating throughout the program.

Openness to new knowledge, experiences, and different approaches.

Willingness to communicate and collaborate with other participants and organizers.

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Why is a pre-seed program important for you?

You may have a prototype or MVP, but strong technology alone is not enough for further development. It is essential to understand the market, your users, and the business potential of your solution, as well as to establish clear foundations for the next stages of growth. This is especially important considering that the journey from idea to a sustainable startup is highly demanding - only around 50% of startups manage to reach their fifth year, making this phase significantly riskier than building traditional businesses.

Through Raising Starts, you gain knowledge, mentorship support, and practical tools that help you better shape your innovation, validate it more effectively, and prepare it for further development. With the support of experienced mentors and experts who have already gone through what you are experiencing now, it becomes easier to overcome early-stage challenges.

Đuro Stojanović, CEO i Co-founder Uhura Solutions

Raising Starts is an amazing program that allows founders to learn from amazing mentors, gain valuable business experience and make great business connections. It is one of the best accelerator programs in this part of Europe, building the fastest-growing community focused on the founders’ success!

Lena Miladinović, Co-founder Oupost

We are really glad to be a part of Raising Starts program, which enhanced our business knowledge, further defined our concept, and led us to make our first startup steps. STP Belgrade community drove innovation and opened many doors, providing necessary skills and connections. Programs like this are definitely needed in the early startup stages, bringing expert support that makes it much easier to start and expand an innovative business globally.

Vladimir Božović, CEO & Founder ZenCV

The level of support, guidance and insightful advice from the Raising Starts team and its network of mentors was well beyond my expectations, which is one of the main reasons why we are now on a steep uphill trajectory towards success. Now we know exactly what we need to do and how to do it!

And the story does not stop here

After the program you become

PART OF THE NTP COMMUNITY

As part of the community, you connect with like-minded people, exchange ideas, and open up new opportunities.

VISIBLE

Your team becomes more visible to investors, partners, and potential clients, with more opportunities for meaningful conversations.

CONTINUOUSLY GROWING

You connect with other startups, their founders, and ecosystem stakeholders, creating opportunities for new collaborations.

WITH SUPPORT

NTP Belgrade continues to support you even after the program, helping you with further development, visibility, and access to new opportunities.

About the Project:

The Raising Starts program is implemented within the project “Technopark 3 – Innovate Forward” (2025–2029), with the support of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) of the Government of the Swiss Confederation.

The project is carried out by the Science and Technology Park Belgrade, with the goal of strengthening the innovation ecosystem in Serbia, fostering entrepreneurial talent among young people and the academic community, and providing stronger financial and technical support to startup teams through the Raising Starts program and its alumni network.

Through this project, a supportive environment is being developed for the creation and growth of innovative products and services, while strengthening the capacities of companies with the potential to enter international markets.

With support of

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