PROGRAM

EBRD Star Venture Programme

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The EBRD's Star Venture programme is designed to propel innovative, early-stage start-ups to success across more than 26 countries. We seek ventures that tackle critical challenges and have the potential for significant scale.
Star Venture is backed by a dedicated team of 25+ venture building specialists and collaborates with governments, accelerators, corporations and other impact investors to build innovative entrepreneurial ecosystems that drive social and economic development.

During the 18-month programme, selected start-ups will gain access to a unique network of mentors, investors, corporate partners, advisers, and all the tools needed to grow their ventures.

We offer bespoke workshops, world-class mentoring, and hands-on advisory support in areas such as sales, marketing, organisation, operations, and finance, helping start-ups address growth barriers and scale rapidly. We also connect start-ups with global business partners and investors through pitching sessions, networking opportunities, and fundraising advice, opening doors to finance and new business opportunities.

Since 2019, Star Venture has supported over 250 start-ups across the EBRD’s regions. Employing an “ecosystem approach” to entrepreneurship, we also partner with local accelerators and incubators, bolstering their capacity to facilitate the growth and development of start-ups.

We actively promote diversity and inclusion, with 32% of our start-ups focused on climate solutions, 42% owned and led by youth, and 22% founded and led by women.

Why entrepreneurs should apply?

Star Venture provides hands-on support to help start-ups make their breakthrough. Our programme connects founders with a global network of business partners, investors, and mentors, offering tailored advisory services and strategic insights. Unlike other accelerators, EBRD does not ask for any equity or fees to join the programme.

Application criteria

Meet EU criteria on SMEs (for example, start-up should not be linked to a non-SME corporate)
Based in one of EBRD’s 30 countries of operation (listed here)
Annual turnover of up to €1 million
Less than 10 years since company registration
Any sector (excluding EBRD prohibited sectors, such as military products or services, gambling, tobacco, and alcohol).
Scalable technology

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Want to Make a Difference?

Become an EBRD Star Venture Programme mentor and guide the next generation of innovators to success.

Programme Benefits and Offerings

Business Diagnostics: Benefit from bespoke online workshops in partnership with the University of Cambridge to identify challenges and shape advisory support.
Business Advisory: Receive customized, hands-on advisory services from local and international consultants in sales, marketing, organization, operations, and finance etc.
Workshops and Mentoring: Access a network of 1,500+ world-class mentors and a dedicated online platform for high-quality support.
Access to Finance: Gain in-depth access to finance through investor pitch events, demo days, fundraising advice, investor introductions, and crowdfunding support.
Access to Market: Attend international exhibitions and conferences, or meet potential business partners overseas, with travel expenses covered by Star Venture.
AWS Credits and E-Learning: Enjoy free cloud-computing services and curated entrepreneurial content from Amazon, Microsoft, and Coursera.

Project team

About us

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The EBRD

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) belongs to a family of multilateral development banks, which includes the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the African Development Bank. Their main mission is to help businesses and economies thrive. Through their financial investment, business services and involvement in high-level policy reform, they're well placed to promote entrepreneurship and change lives.

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Star Venture

Based on over 25 years of experience of supporting SMEs and with the funding from the EU, the EBRD launched the Star Venture programme that supports innovative, early-stage start-ups across its regions, and helps them scale their way to success. Star Venture leverages a dedicated network of mentors and advisers to channel a whole range of bespoke advisory services and industry best practices to start-ups. Through workshops, mentoring and technical assistance, the 18-month programme helps start-ups improve their market performance and scale rapidly.

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Seedstars

Seedstars is a Swiss company founded in 2012, with a mission to impact people’s lives in emerging markets through technology and entrepreneurship.

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