Startup Nation Program (2026 Edition, Pillar I)
Funds Romanian entrepreneurs aged 18-30 with up to 250,000 lei to launch an SME.
The 2026 edition pays up to 90% of eligible costs as a non-reimbursable grant, capped at 250,000 lei per beneficiary, including VAT for non-paying companies. EU recovery funds back the scheme, with less-developed regions receiving 266 million euros of the Pillar I budget and the Bucharest-Ilfov region receiving 29.75 million euros.
Looks for Romanian entrepreneurs aged 18 to under 30, at the time of registration, who want to create a small or medium enterprise. Applicants need at least a lower-secondary (ISCED 2) education level and must complete entrepreneurial training courses, 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.
Submit & reportGrant Progress Report Example and Template
Use this grant progress report example to structure accomplishments, milestones, challenges, budget status, evidence, next steps, and closeout preparation.
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Start-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 2026 (EdiΘia IV)
π·π΄Romanian Government Β· Romania
Funds new Romanian businesses with up to 250,000 Lei in EU-backed grants.
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 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.
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.