The AccelStart grant aims to support individuals or teams with innovative IT and technology business ideas, particularly in Insurtech, Fintech, and Telco sectors. The core objective is to help them develop their concepts into a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) before formally establishing a business. This is a SECTOR-SPECIFIC grant for early-stage innovators in Poland, running with continuous intake until October 2026, as part of the broader European Funds for a Modern Economy Program 2021-2027.
Financial Structure
This grant primarily provides mentoring and expert services to applicants, not direct financial funding.
The total project value allocated for Accelpoint's implementation of the AccelStart program is PLN 7,973,807.53.
The EU co-financing specifically for this program amounts to PLN 6,962,311.00.
The value and type of support provided will be adjusted to the individual needs of the idea holders.
No matching fund requirements or specifications for eligible/ineligible costs are applicable to the individual participant, as no direct monetary grants are disbursed to them.
Eligibility Requirements
Organizational Type
Eligible applicants are individuals or teams of individuals.
Applicants must have never previously conducted business activity (i.e., not a registered company).
Project Focus
The project idea must be an innovative business concept.
Projects should primarily involve IT solutions or technology solutions.
Preferred sectors for innovative ideas include Insurtech, Fintech, and Telco.
Geographic Requirements
Applicants are expected to be based in Poland, as the funding is administered by a Polish agency (PARP) and implemented by a Polish operator (Accelpoint).
Application Process
Application Period
The application process for AccelStart operates on a continuous intake ('nabór ciągły') basis.
Applications are accepted in multiple rounds.
The overall program application window starts on 27 December 2024 and concludes on 30 October 2026.
Note that individual rounds may have earlier specific deadlines; for example, the second round is open until 21 April 2025.
Submission Process
Interested applicants must submit their innovative idea by completing and sending an online application form.
The typical program progression involves three key steps:
Submitting your idea via the provided application form.
Collaborating closely with assigned mentors to guide your idea towards the implementation stage.
Working to prepare your refined product or service for market entry.
Support Provided
Participants will receive support from a dedicated incubation and mentoring expert.
An individual mentoring work plan will be developed to structure and guide the project.
The program imparts essential knowledge and practical tips for preparing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Guidance and strategies will be provided for effectively bringing the product to market.
The primary form of support is comprehensive mentoring and expert services.
Reporting Obligations
While not explicitly detailed, progress tracking is an inherent part of the program, managed through the individual mentoring work plans and formal milestone protocols.
Evaluation Criteria
Idea Innovation & Viability
The innovative nature and originality of the proposed business idea.
The potential to successfully develop the idea into a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Clear alignment of the project with the preferred focus areas: Insurtech, Fintech, Telco, IT, and general technology solutions.
Project Potential
The project's capacity to promote innovative solutions within the economy and society.
The realistic feasibility of the applicant's plan to eventually establish a new business based on the developed idea.
Applicant Profile
The commitment and motivation of the applicant (individual or team) to actively participate in the program and develop their idea.
The applicant's openness and readiness to benefit from mentoring and expert services provided by the program.
Compliance & Special Requirements
Program Context
The AccelStart project is subsidized by the European Funds for a Modern Economy Program 2021-2027 (FENG).
It is specifically part of the Priority: Environment conducive to innovation, under the Action: Individual Innovators Zone – Innovator's Laboratory.
The official grant agreement number is FENG.02.27-IP.02-0028/23-00.
Focus on Pre-Commercialization
This program is uniquely designed to support individuals who have not yet established a formal company, focusing on the very early stages of business development.
De Minimis Aid
Although direct financial grants are not provided to applicants, programs subsidized by EU funds through Polish agencies like PARP are generally subject to de minimis aid regulations at the program operator level. Applicants should be aware of these rules, as any future state aid received might be factored into their overall de minimis ceiling.
Available Documentation
Key reference documents for the program, primarily in Polish, include:
Project Regulations (Regulamin projektu)
Formal and Substantive Evaluation Card (Karta Oceny Formalnej i Merytorycznej)
Participation Agreement (Umowa Uczestnictwa)
Mentoring Work Plan (Plan Prac Mentoringowych)
Various reception and milestone protocols (Protokół odbioru prac, Protokół Odbioru Kamienie Milowe).
Grant Details
accelstart
parp
accelpoint
innovation
startup
pre-seed
idea stage
it solutions
technology solutions
fintech
insurtech
telco
mentorship
incubation
expert services
mvp development
european funds
poland
finaid
early stage
business development
accelerator
entrepreneurship
polish agency for enterprise develop
AccelStart: Support for innovative business ideas for individuals who have never conducted business activity, primarily in Insurtech, Fintech, and Telco.
FENG.02.27-IP.02-0028/23-00
European Funds for a Modern Economy Program 2021-2027 (FENG)
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