Bijeljina, 6 October 2026 – An Info Day dedicated to the Agri-Food & Bioeconomy Startup Challenge will be held in the Main Hall of the Bijeljina City Administration, starting at 12:00 noon. The programme offers young people an opportunity to develop innovative ideas and solutions in the agri-food sector and bioeconomy.
 
The Info Day is hosted by the City of Bijeljina – Section for Local Economic Development and European Integration, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of Republika Srpska, the Science and Technology Park of Republika Srpska, and the Faculty of Technology in Zvornik.
 
The programme is intended for motivated students, researchers and young innovators. Importantly, applicants do not need to have an already-developed business idea or a finished product to participate. Both individuals and teams who wish to develop a new product or service are welcome to apply, as are teams already working on an idea at the ideation stage or developing a minimum viable product (MVP).
 
The programme focuses on innovative solutions in the areas of protein diversification and innovative food products; reducing the carbon footprint and energy consumption in food production; food waste management and the reuse of agricultural by-products; and resilient, climate-adaptive agriculture. Applications are also welcome from those with other innovative ideas in agri-tech, food production and the bioeconomy.
 
Participants will progress through three phases of the programme.
 
Phase 1 – Bootcamp
Taking place on 17 and 18 October 2026, the Bootcamp will introduce participants to real-world challenges faced by companies and agricultural producers. Participants will then work on developing practical solutions to these challenges. Teams that already have an idea will have the opportunity to test it with experts and receive feedback to support its further development.
 
Phase 2 – Validation and Incubation
Running from October to December, this eight-week phase will be delivered online. Participants will work on market validation, business modelling and customer research, complemented by workshops on branding, marketing, sales, financial modelling, legal fundamentals for startups and intellectual property protection. The programme will also include individual one-to-one mentoring sessions with experts.
 
Phase 3 – Demo Day
The Demo Day will take place in December 2026, when teams will present their ideas to investors and company representatives. Cash prizes will be awarded to the three selected teams: BAM 1,000 for first place, BAM 500 for second place and BAM 300 for third place. The winning team will have the opportunity to present its project at the Demo Day held as part of the Sole MED project’s final event in Ferrara, Italy, in May 2027.
 
The application deadline for the Startup Challenge is 14 October 2026.
 
Apply using the following form:
APPLICATION – Agri-Food & Bioeconomy Startup Challenge
 
Please note: No prior registration is required to attend the Info Day on 6 October.
 
For further information, interested participants can contact [email protected].
 
The programme is funded with the support of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme through the Sole MED project and the EIT Food programme.
 
Application deadline: 14 October 2026