The Innovation Fund of the Republic of Serbia has opened applications for the sixth generation of the Katapult Accelerator, offering startups a three-month acceleration program, access to local and international mentors and investors, and financial support of up to RSD 36 million.
Applications are open until October 13, 2026.
Over its first five cohorts, Katapult has supported 89 startups, which have collectively reached a market capitalization of $355 million, while participating companies have raised $35 million within one year of entering the program. The program brings together a network of 42 experienced mentors from entrepreneurship, technology, business, and investment.
Now, Katapult is looking for its sixth generation of startups with the potential and ambition to grow beyond the Serbian market.
Three months focused on growth
At the core of Katapult is an intensive three-month acceleration and mentoring program.
Selected startups work with local and international experts, experienced founders, and investors, with support tailored to the specific stage and needs of each company.
The program covers areas that are critical for startup growth, including business model development, product-market fit, go-to-market strategy, sales and marketing, internationalization, investment readiness, and pitch preparation.
Katapult also connects founders with investors and the wider startup ecosystem, with support for companies raising investment continuing beyond the core acceleration period.
Ideation or Scale-up: two tracks for different stages
Katapult recognizes that startups face different challenges depending on where they are in their development.
The program therefore has two acceleration streams.
Ideation is designed for startups in the early stages of development and market positioning.
Scale-up is intended for startups that have already demonstrated market traction and want to accelerate their growth and secure private external investment.
This means Katapult is relevant both for companies still strengthening their market position and for more established startups preparing for significant growth, international expansion, or their next investment round.
Up to RSD 36 million in financial support
Alongside mentoring and acceleration, Katapult provides non-dilutive financial support, meaning that the Innovation Fund does not take equity in participating companies.
Startups entering the Ideation stream can receive an At-Entry Grant of up to RSD 2.4 million, while companies selected for the Scale-up stream can receive up to RSD 6 million.
Startups that secure a qualified private investment from eligible investors such as business angels or venture capital funds can also apply for a co-investment grant.
The co-investment support matches qualified private investment, with total Katapult financial support of up to RSD 36 million per startup, including the At-Entry Grant.
In other words, Katapult combines acceleration with a mechanism designed to help promising Serbian startups leverage private investment and move into their next phase of growth.
Who can apply?
Katapult is open to innovative micro and small companies registered in Serbia.
Among the main eligibility requirements, applicants must be at least one year and less than ten years old, at least 80% privately owned and majority-owned by their founding entrepreneurial team. The majority of the team should reside in Serbia, and applicants or their affiliated entities must not have generated revenues exceeding €8 million in either of the previous two years.
Additional eligibility conditions apply, so startups considering the program should carefully review the official Program Manual before submitting an application.
Open to all sectors, with priority areas
Katapult is open to innovative companies across sectors and technological fields, but the program is aligned with Serbia’s Smart Specialization Strategy.
At least 50% of available funding is intended for high-quality applications within four priority areas:
- Food for the Future
- Information and Communication Technologies, with an emphasis on Artificial Intelligence
- Machines and Production Processes of the Future
- Creative Industries
Women co-founders are also specifically encouraged to apply.
For Serbia’s digital and technology ecosystem in particular, the explicit focus on ICT and AI makes the sixth Katapult call particularly relevant for startups developing new digital products, technologies, and AI-based solutions.
What will Katapult look for?
Applications are evaluated according to five core criteria:
- the strength of the team
- the innovation and uniqueness of the product or technology
- business model viability and traction
- attractiveness of the market
- potential for capital raising
Applications are open until October 13th - LINK to form.