The EU4Innovation East programme has launched a new call for proposals to support the creation of a Pre-seed Support Platform in Armenia, addressing a critical gap in early-stage startup financing. The initiative aims to help innovators move from Proof of Concept (PoC) to Minimum Viable Product (MVP), a stage where access to funding is often limited despite high potential.
With a total budget of €330,000, the call will award one grant to an experienced organization capable of establishing and managing the platform. The selected beneficiary will provide small, milestone-based, non-repayable grants to early-stage startups, enabling them to develop prototypes, validate their solutions with users, and prepare for future investment.
Beyond financial support, the platform is expected to deliver a comprehensive package of services, including mentoring, business development, market validation, and access to relevant networks. This approach aims to reduce early-stage risks, strengthen the startup pipeline, and improve the overall effectiveness of the innovation ecosystem in Armenia.
The call is open to legal entities registered in Armenia with proven experience in startup financing and support programmes. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to design and implement transparent, merit-based selection processes, as well as ensure sound financial management and monitoring of the sub-grants.
Projects funded under this call may run for up to 24 months and must include a minimum co-financing contribution of 15% of the total budget. The financial support provided to individual startups under the platform will be capped at €7,500 per beneficiary.
Applications must be submitted electronically via the designated platform by 17 June 2026, 15:00 (Paris time). An online information session for interested applicants will take place on 27 April 2026. The link is below.
https://zoom.us/j/95399744573?pwd=VQA06YCG7WVxxkhwdFZDihIKBIdQUQ.1