Regional project aiming at enhancing the competitiveness of the startup ecosystem within 5 countries of the Eastern Partnership (EaP): Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. At the heart of the project is a strategy designed to nurture high-performance incubators, expand funding and market opportunities for startups, and provide tailored support to Ukraine’s emerging tech sector.
Through strategic co-financing, skills development, regulatory assistance, and a strong commitment to gender inclusion, EU4Innovation East is laying the foundation for sustainable, long-term growth in the region, ensuring that innovation is both inclusive and impactful.
An analysis of the innovation and startup landscapes across the five countries has revealed key cross-cutting challenges that can be effectively addressed through regional, transversal activities benefiting all nations. Simultaneously, the distinct characteristics of each country underscore the need for a tailored approach. As a result, action plans were carefully designed to align with each country’s specific needs and circumstances while harnessing broader regional synergies.
Implementation period
April 2024 – September 2028
Project budget
22.120.000€
Strengthening the competitiveness and maturity of the EaP startup ecosystem
Ignite early-stage funding with an innovative strategy that fosters business angel investments and sparks subsequent funding. By investing in seed stages and supporting business angels, the project aims to create a solid foundation for thriving businesses that attract future investors, strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the EaP region. This approach aims to catalyse innovation and empower visionary startups, setting them on a path of exponential growth.
Enhance the incubation experience for startups in Eastern Partnership countries through two tailored strategies based on each country’s specific context.
By fostering meaningful connections and driving technology transfer initiatives, as well as providing an initial financial support for quantitative capacity-boosting, we plan to bring local incubators and accelerators to an upper level, providing a state-of-the-art, high-quality training for emerging innovative startups.
In order to create an optimal environment for startups to thrive, it is essential to establish a startup-friendly legal framework and foster a supportive community that provides a strong foundation for growth and success. At the national level, strengthening connections within the startup community is critical for cultivating an ecosystem rich in opportunities. The active engagement of the private sector, universities, diaspora mentors, environmental/climate and gender experts, and other key stakeholders is vital to creating a fertile ground for startup success. These connections will be nurtured through community-building events, peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, and identifying synergies across various sectors.
With the goal of increasing the visibility of Eastern Partnership (EaP) role models and startup ecosystems, EU4Innovation East will support the participation of EaP delegations at major international events. Simultaneously, we aim to bring European champions—companies, investors, and ESOs—to EaP events, fostering direct connections with local talents and startups. This strategy is designed to inspire entrepreneurial initiatives, highlight regional innovations, stimulate business prospects, and capture the attention of investors, ultimately strengthening the global presence and visibility of EaP startups.
The EU4Innovation East project is committed to supporting Ukraine’s National Recovery Plan, particularly by advancing economically significant sectors and nurturing startups. Given Ukraine’s ambitious sustainable finance and green energy goals, the project will focus on promoting green innovation. Recognizing the substantial efforts needed, the French government allocated funds to activities that support the development of the Ukrainian startup ecosystem and strengthen ties with French counterparts. These actions have been specifically designed for Ukrainian partners and align with the objectives and spirit of the EU4Innovation East regional project.
