Deadline: 30-November-2025
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is now accepting applications for the Star Venture Programme from high-potential startups across Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
The focus areas of the programme are: offering innovative, scalable tech-driven solutions or business models; supporting tech-enabled ventures based in one of the EBRD’s participating countries of operations; enabling startups with the potential for significant scale and an annual turnover of less than EUR 1 million; providing continuous engagement throughout the 24-month programme; and excluding companies involved in military products or services, gambling, or tobacco.
Through the Star Venture Programme, selected startups will embark on a 24-month growth journey designed to strengthen their business models and scale operations. Participants will begin with a Business Diagnostics Workshop delivered in partnership with the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing (IfM). This workshop helps startups identify key growth opportunities and establish strategic clarity for their engagement with the programme.
Following the diagnostic phase, startups receive tailored business advisory services addressing their most pressing challenges. Expert consultants provide hands-on support in areas such as strategy, marketing, operations, and finance to help participants overcome barriers and achieve sustainable growth.
The programme also connects entrepreneurs with a global network of over 1,500 mentors through partnerships with Seedstars and Dosen. Mentors include Silicon Valley founders, industry experts, and investors who offer targeted guidance to accelerate business development.
In addition to advisory and mentoring, the programme enhances access to finance by preparing startups for fundraising, refining their investment strategies, and connecting them with venture capital funds and corporate investors. Through investor pitching events and expert-led workshops, participants learn how to engage effectively with potential investors.
To strengthen market access, startups benefit from opportunities to attend leading global conferences and industry events such as InnoVEX, Web Summit, GITEX Global, London Tech Week, How To Web, and GITEX Africa Morocco. These engagements allow founders to expand their networks, explore partnerships, and promote their innovations on an international stage.
Furthermore, the programme provides cloud-computing credits and e-learning support through partnerships with Coursera, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft Founders Hub. These resources ensure that startups can continue to learn, innovate, and build using advanced digital infrastructure.
The application process is straightforward and takes no more than 30 minutes to complete. The deadline to apply for Central Asia startups is November 30, 2025.
For more information, visit EBRD.
