The EU-funded EU4TECH project announced that four Western Balkans Proof of Concept teams have been selected to join the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Jumpstarter programme. The Serbian Mito-Fert-Signature and Fungpack projects, both from the University of Novi Sad, and the North Macedonian Innopod and ‘Snail Mucus Products’ start-up projects will join a selected group of Jumpstarters who will be offered intensive support to bring their early stage technology ideas to market.

Jumpstarter is EIT’s cross-industrial, pre-acceleration flagship programme. With the unique know-how of best-in-class experts and the creative community, the action helps idea-holders turn their ideas into business. EIT Jumpstarter helps innovators and entrepreneurs build a viable business model around their innovative product or service idea. If their business idea is considered sustainable, the EIT Jumpstarter team encourages them to register their company. The programme has a special focus on helping talent from Central Eastern and Southern Europe to validate their business concept, develop a business plan and pitch their ideas to potential future investors.

The EU4TECH WB PoC Project is funded under multi-country pre-EU accession funds (IPA) to provide hands-on support in taking 40+ promising inventions in the Western Balkans to market.