Deadline Extended: Call for Expressions of Interest – AIM Startup Competition

The AIM Startup Competition is the early-stage innovation pillar of the Accelerating Investment in Montenegro (AIM) programme, a joint initiative of the Government of Montenegro through the Montenegrin Investment Agency (MIA) and the European Union Delegation. It offers a structured route from early-stage application to high-visibility exposure, culminating at the AIM Investment Conference on 19-21 October 2026 in Portonovi, Montenegro, where finalists pitch on the main stage and the winner receives an award presented by the Prime Minister of Montenegro, in the presence of EU representatives and international investors.

Who can apply?

Open globally to founder-led startups seeking to scale and engage with Montenegro's emerging investment ecosystem. Applicants should typically:

• Be less than five years old and have raised less than EUR 5 million in total funding to date.
• Operate in one of the following sectors: agribusiness, energy, ICT, transport, or logistics. Startups in adjacent sectors are also encouraged to apply.
• Be founder-led, with a founder actively involved in day-to-day management, and demonstrate ambition for growth and regional or international expansion.

Competition tracks

The competition runs in two tracks, with applicants assessed only against peers within their own track:

• Seed Track: pre-funding to early-traction ventures with little or no capital raised (indicatively up to EUR 500,000). Assessment will focus on innovation, team, and problem-solution fit.
• Growth Track: ventures with demonstrated traction that have raised more than EUR 500,000 and up to EUR 5 million. Assessment will focus on traction, viability, and scalability.

What finalists receive?

Five to eight pre-selected finalists pitch on the main stage before 300+ participants - the Prime Minister, ministers, the EU Delegation, investors and corporates. The winner will:

• Gain high-level visibility at the AIM Investment Conference;
• Receive facilitated access to the AIM investor network and financing partners;
• Access a complimentary coworking space for two years via the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro (NTP);
• Earn a place in a structured 12-month AIM accelerator programme.

Process, timeline & submission

Applications combine a standardised slide deck, a short video pitch (2-3 min), and an online form, and are scored on innovation, team, market, and traction & viability by a jury of AIM institutional and ecosystem partners.

Apply by 1 September 2026, 23:00 CET via the online form by clicking here .

For more information, please contact: [email protected]