Startup Nation Romania (Pillar I)
Funds young Romanian entrepreneurs aged 18-30 with up to 250,000 lei to start a business.
The program runs in two parts: entrepreneurial training (Module 1) and direct grant funding (Module 2) that covers up to 90% of eligible costs, with the beneficiary funding the rest. It is financed through the EU's Education and Employment Program 2021-2027, which has set aside a Pillar I budget of 295.75 million euros.
Looks for Romanian entrepreneurs aged 18 to under 30 who want to launch a new small or medium business. Applicants need at least a lower-secondary (ISCED 2) education level, and returnees living abroad may also apply regardless of current employment status.
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Guides for this application
All guides βGrant Financials and Co-Funding Evidence: Examples for Startup Applications
See examples of grant financials, match funding evidence, co-funding tables, accountant letters, investor commitments, and budget-to-work-plan checks.
Find grantsGovernment Grants for Startups: What Deeptech Founders Should Know
A practical guide to government grants for startups, including Grants.gov, SBIR/STTR, state programs, eligibility, fit, timelines, and when to apply.
BudgetGrant Budget Template for R&D Applications
Use this grant budget template to structure R&D costs, personnel, subcontractors, equipment, indirect costs, and budget justification for startup grant applications.
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Browse the directory βStart-Up Nation β Pillar I (2026 edition)
π·π΄Romanian Government Β· Romania
Funds Romanian entrepreneurs aged 18-30 starting new small businesses with up to 250,000 lei.
Start-Up Nation Romania 2026 - Pillar I (Youth Entrepreneurship)
π·π΄MEDAT Β· Romania
Pays for up to 90% of a young Romanian founder's new small-business costs, worth up to 250,000 lei, after they complete a mandatory entrepreneurship training course.
Innowwide
πͺπΊEU Β· European Union
Pays SMEs and startups a 60,000-euro grant to test whether their solution is viable in a target overseas market.
5th Innowwide Call for Market Feasibility Projects β Autumn 2026
πͺπΊEUREKA Β· Global / Multinational
Pays SMEs a fixed EUR60,000 grant to run a six-month market feasibility project testing whether their innovation can be commercialised in a target country in Africa, the Americas, Asia or Oceania.
Start-Up Nation 2026 (EdiΘia IV)
π·π΄Romanian Government Β· Romania
Funds new Romanian businesses with up to 250,000 Lei in EU-backed grants.
Start-Up Nation β Second Session
π·π΄MEDAT Β· Romania
Will fund up to RON 250,000 per new Romanian business once MEDAT opens the second Start-Up Nation session, though the exact application dates have not been published yet.