EBRD Star Venture

The EBRD Star Venture programme is an initiative by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) aimed at supporting high-potential startups and accelerators in emerging markets. The programme focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage companies, offering tailored advisory and capacity-building support to help them scale, improve operational efficiencies, and attract investment. Backed by more than 12 donors, Star Venture collaborates with governments, accelerators, corporations, and other impact investors to build innovative entrepreneurial ecosystems in EBRD’s regions. Since its inception, the programme has supported over 350 early-stage companies across 26 markets, including Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, and the Western Balkans. The portfolio startups have collectively raised over €573 million in funding and seen their average revenue grow sixfold, with more than three-quarters experiencing positive revenue growth. The programme operates in 23 economies where the EBRD invests and has supported more than 650 startups, including high-potential ones that have successfully raised over US$ 420 million in financing. In Egypt, the programme has been instrumental in modernising the financial sector, developing the agribusiness sector, and upgrading transport and telecommunications services. The EBRD's Star Venture programme provides high-potential startups and accelerators with the tools and expertise needed to succeed, and collaborates with governments, corporations, and venture capital funds to build innovative entrepreneurial ecosystems across the EBRD’s regions. The programme offers bespoke workshops, world-class mentoring, and hands-on advisory support in areas such as sales, marketing, organisation, operations, and finance, helping start-ups address growth barriers and scale rapidly. It also connects start-ups with global business partners and investors through pitching sessions, networking opportunities, and fundraising advice, opening doors to finance and new business opportunities. The programme actively promotes diversity and inclusion, with 32% of its start-ups focused on climate solutions, 42% owned and led by youth, and 22% founded and led by women. The EBRD's Star Venture programme is designed to propel innovative, early-stage start-ups to success across more than 26 countries. The EBRD’s programme is supported by Seedstars and seeks ventures that tackle critical challenges and have the potential for significant scale. Star Venture is backed by a dedicated team of 25+ venture building specialists and collaborates with governments, accelerators, corporations, and other impact investors to build innovative entrepreneurial ecosystems that drive social and economic development. During the 18-month programme, selected start-ups gain access to a unique network of mentors, investors, corporate partners, advisers, and all the tools needed to grow their ventures. The programme offers bespoke workshops, world-class mentoring, and hands-on advisory support in areas such as sales, marketing, organisation, operations, and finance, helping start-ups address growth barriers and scale rapidly. It also connects start-ups with global business partners and investors through pitching sessions, networking opportunities, and fundraising advice, opening doors to finance and new business opportunities. Since 2019, Star Venture has supported over 250 start-ups across the EBRD’s regions. Employing an “ecosystem approach” to entrepreneurship, the programme also partners with local accelerators and incubators, bolstering their capacity to facilitate the growth and development of start-ups. Star Venture actively promotes diversity and inclusion, with 32% of its start-ups focused on climate solutions, 42% owned and led by youth, and 22% founded and led by women.