Newest headlines

We invite all startups from Serbia interested in getting to know and to access the French market to apply for Mission France, a study startup trip that aims to support Serbian startups in their mission to discover new markets, helping them improve their export potential and gain access to new investments.

The mission of discovering new markets for startups from Serbia is organized by the Embassy of France in Serbia and the Science and Technology Park Belgrade, in partnership with BPI France, La French Tech Belgrade, Software Republic and three other technology parks in Serbia: STP Niš, STP Čačak, and STP Novi Sad, with the support of the Government of Switzerland through the project ” Technopark Serbia 2 – Boosting Exports through Technoparks “.

The initiative will provide an opportunity for 4 startups from Serbia to visit France as part of a study trip, get to know the French startup ecosystem, market, and opportunities, as well as to meet and introduce themselves to potential investors. It will also contribute to strengthening the ties between the Serbian and French innovation ecosystems.

Who can apply?

The following entities can apply for the mission of discovering the French market:

• startups developing an innovative product/service (digital product/software, electronic product/hardware, or a physical product) with a scalable business model and the ambition to expand globally
• are majority-owned by Serbs, and at least 70% of the company is owned by the founders (persons)
• have up to 50 employees (micro or small enterprises),
• less than 10 years have passed since the registration of the limited liability company,
• generate income from the sale of innovative products,
• have raised at least 30,000 euros through external financing (grant, business angels, or VC).

Up to 12 startups will be selected and invited to present themselves to the jury at the French-Serbian Innovation Forum on April 6 in Belgrade. The pre-selection of 12 startups will be carried out by science and technology parks.

After the pitches, the expert jury will decide and select 4 winning startups that will travel to France for a study visit in June 2023. The expert jury is composed of: Luc Julia, Software Republic (president of the jury) Nicolas Rabrenovic, French Tech Belgrade, Florent Buschiazzo, BPI France and Veljko Mihajlović, NOVELIC.

How to apply?

All startups interested in a study visit to France can apply by filling out the application form on the LINK until March 22.

The application is in English and consists of a short questionnaire and a startup pitch deck (up to 15 slides by defined categories, a link to the pitch should be added to the application form).

The criteria according to which the startups will be evaluated are the team’s experience and expertise, market position and business model, previous results and plans (traction, investment readiness, etc.), the quality of the pitch and the importance of the Mission France study tour for the further development of the startup.

For more information, visit the Mission France webpage.

Benefits of participation for the startups:

During the study trip to France, the selected startups will have the opportunity to discover the French innovation ecosystem, investment opportunities, and possible partnerships, including: participation in Viva Tech (June 2023, Paris) – one of the most important conferences in Europe for presenting innovations and startups, meetings with investors , VCs and/or potential partners, a visit to one of the largest startup campuses in the world – Station F, and additional networking and connection with the local ecosystem through the Software Republic network – an incubator and an open innovation ecosystem specialized in mobility (which includes the largest companies from the industry such as Renault, Atos, Dassault, Orange, STM Microelectronic, or Thales).

Apply – explore opportunities in the fast growing French market!