In cooperation with the Startup Center Niš, the Regional Innovation Center Zubin Potok, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Niš, and the Faculty of Diplomacy and Security in Belgrade, with the support of the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, the City of Niš, and the company Fazi, the Science and Technology Park Niš issues a
PUBLIC CALL
for startup teams to participate in the “Launcher” accelerator program.
The call is intended for innovative startup teams in early development stages that wish to accelerate their path towards the market with expert financial support.
On the “Launcher” program:
Launcher is the first accelerator support program in Niš for early-stage startups. The program provides comprehensive support through education, mentorship, and grants of up to 1,150,000.00 dinars per team, helping startups validate their ideas, optimize solutions, and lay a solid foundation for further growth. The program is structured according to the Running Lean methodology for startup development, which allows teams to systematically test assumptions, understand users better, and build sustainable business models with minimal risk.
Launcher is also part of a broader national framework for digital innovation and is linked to the Serbian European Digital Innovation Hub on AI – S4AI_HUB project, which is co-funded by the European Union. Program participants gain exclusive access to knowledge, tools, and a network of partners in the field of digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
The goal of the Launcher program is to help startups grow into successful businesses sustainable long-term that will contribute to the development of technological entrepreneurship and strengthening the innovation scene in Serbia, with a special focus on encouraging entrepreneurship in the territory of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija.
Who is the program intended for?
Launcher is intended for early-stage startup teams – whether they are still working on developing the technology, researching the market, or trying to match one with the other.
The program is ideal for teams that:
• have an idea they are researching and trying to prove that it is technically feasible,
• are working on a prototype or are already testing it in controlled conditions,
• are starting to talk to users and research their needs,
• have first feedback and are starting to build a business model,
• are open to collaboration, iterations, and working with mentors and experts through a structured process.
The program brings value to teams whose solutions at the time of application are on the technology development scale between TRL 2 and TRL 5, and on the business development scale between CRL 2 and CRL 5.
If the team already has a developed MVP (minimum viable product) that has been successfully tested with real users (both TRL 5 and CRL 5 have already been reached), this program is probably not appropriate because the team is considered to have outgrown the defined support stage.
The technology and business development scale, with brief explanations that facilitate the assessment of the solution level, is available in the Participant Guide in Appendix 1.
Who can apply?
Innovative technological solutions in the field of hardware and/or software development, with potential for growth and commercialization, are being considered.
The following have the right to apply:
• Informal startup teams: Teams of at least two members that do not have a registered company at the time of application.
• Registered companies: Micro-businesses (in the form of a limited liability company) that meet the following conditions:
– they are established in Serbia and are no older than 10 years old at the time of application;
– they are majority privately owned by Serbian citizens (≥51% of the capital owned by individuals/legal entities from Serbia)
– at least two members of the team from the application together own ≥80% of the ownership stake.
Additional conditions:
• Each team must have at least one adult member in its structure;
• The submitted startup idea must be original and must not infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties. Teams may participate in other support programs at the same time, provided that they state this in their application and ensure that there is no conflict of interest or violation of the rules of other programs.
Who cannot apply:
• Teams that have already secured over 50,000 euros in funding for the development of their own product (VC investments or grants from public funding sources).
• Startups that are majority-owned (more than 50%) by another company that functions as a parent or controlling company.
• Teams/startups whose projects would have a detrimental impact on the environment through their activities, as well as internal projects without the intent of wider commercialization.
In accordance with the funding rules, ideas within the following categories are excluded:
• Tobacco industry;
• Production of weapons and military equipment;
• Production and trade in oil and oil products and hazardous materials;
• Organization of games of chance, lotteries, and similar activities;
• Producers/distributors of all other substances/materials/products controlled by law;
• Predominantly commercial activities;
• Production or trade in alcoholic beverages (except beer and wine).
What can the participants expect from the program?
Participants in the Launcher program gain access to a wide range of benefits and support throughout the program:
• Tailored education: A structured series of workshops and training modules designed for early-stage startups, focused on problem validation and market testing. Participants will undergo hands-on training that follows their development path and responds to the specific needs of the team.
• Mentorship support: Regular sessions in the second phase of the program with experienced mentors from the business and technology spheres, with concrete guidance on overcoming challenges, optimizing strategy, and improving the product.
• Financial support: Grants of up to 1,150,000.00 dinars per team for solution development, market validation, and attendance at an international startup conference. These funds enable teams to accelerate product development and present themselves at relevant international events.
• Pre-incubation and networking: six months of free membership in STP Niš – use of coworking space and infrastructure, access to the innovation community, and active networking with other startups, investors and experts through events, workshops and networking opportunities. This provides teams with a creative environment that encourages collaboration and growth.
• Support through the S4AI_Hub: exclusive access to the European digital innovation hub S4AI, which provides additional resources for technology testing, skill development, easier access to funding sources, and connections with industry. Through this hub, teams can benefit from expertise and a network of partners in the field of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.
The application and selection process:
The Public Call is open from April 14 to May 16, 2025.
Interested teams can apply exclusively via the online form available on the official website of the program (launcher.rs). If the applicant is a registered business, the application must be accompanied by a signed statement available on the website, which is an integral part of the application.
After the closing of the Public Call, all received applications will be administratively and substantively reviewed. No later than 14 days after the closing of the Public Call, teams will be notified of the selection results – that is, whether they meet the requirements and whether they have been selected to participate in the first phase of the Program.
Important: Applications are closed on May 16, 2025 at midnight. Late and incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.
Up to 20 startups from all over Serbia will be selected to participate in the first phase of the Program. At least 25% of the selected teams for Phase 1 will be from the territory of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija, with customized logistics and support in cooperation with RIC Zubin Potok, thus encouraging a more even development of the startup ecosystem and the inclusion of teams from different regions.
Selection of teams for Phase 2 and allocation of financial support:
After the first phase of the Program, the selected teams participate in the Demo Day, where they present the results of their work to date, the progress achieved, and plans for further development of the solution.
The selection of teams for the second phase is carried out by an independent Commission. The Independent Commission for the Selection of Teams is formed by the Program organizer and consists of representatives of consortium partners and donors, as well as experts from relevant fields. The Commission evaluates the teams based on clearly defined criteria from Appendix 2 of the Guide for Participants – Evaluation Criteria for the Demo Day, after which it makes a Decision on awarding grants to the teams in Phase 2, as a prerequisite for signing the Grant Agreement with the selected teams.
What are the next steps?
The selected teams will begin Phase 1 of the “Validate & Build” program – a structured educational process designed in accordance with the Running Lean methodology that allows startups to define and validate their ideas. At the end of the first phase, a Demo Day will be organized, where the teams will present their progress. Based on the results achieved, the Commission will select the best teams that will continue to Phase 2 and become eligible for financial support (grant).
For the selected teams in Phase 2, after fulfilling the defined obligations, the signing of the Grant Agreement and the Membership Agreement in STP Niš/RIC Zubin Potok is planned, which begins the pre-incubation period with the use of approved funds according to the project plan.
Guide for Participants – detailed information:
This Public Call provides a concise overview of the conditions and benefits of the Launcher program. It is necessary for all interested parties to be informed in detail about the rules of participation, selection criteria, and team obligations through the Guide for Participants, which is available at the official program website (at launcher.rs). The Guide precisely defines the conditions for application, program phases, means of grant disbursement, and other relevant provisions. Before submitting an application, we ask teams to carefully study this document in order to familiarize themselves with all the details and obligations.
Contact information:
For any additional inquiries, clarifications, or technical support regarding the Launcher program, you can contact us by email: info@launcher.rs.
Launch your startup with Launcher – take this opportunity to launch your innovative idea with expert support!
