Economy Minister Ivan: “Over 20,000 places still available in Start-Up Nation 2025 for financing sustainable businesses”

Over 20,000 places are available in the 2025 edition of the Start-Up Nation program, which offers opportunities for young Romanians up to 30 years old who want to transform their ideas into sustainable businesses, announced the Minister of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Bogdan Ivan, Agerpres reads.

“Registrations for the free entrepreneurship courses began on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 10:00. These courses are essential for preparing future entrepreneurs, providing them with the necessary knowledge to navigate the business world (…) At the moment, there are 20,083 places available for the category up to 30 years old. The program aims to stimulate the establishment and development of small and medium-sized enterprises, contributing to job creation and increasing Romania’s economic competitiveness. The eligible fields are numerous, from production, creative industries and innovative services to IT&C and trade. Enterprises must operate on eligible CAEN codes, specified in the Applicant’s Guide,” Bogdan Ivan said in a post on his personal Facebook page.

According to the minister, through Start-Up Nation 2025, expenses can be financed for: the acquisition of technological equipment (machinery, installations, IT equipment); the acquisition of intangible assets (patents, licenses, trademarks); the acquisition of furniture and IT equipment; promotion and advertising costs; professional training courses for entrepreneurs and employees.

Future entrepreneurs can select the professional training provider and choose the format of the courses: either online or in physical format, in one of the locations made available by the organizers. The complete list of providers contracted by the Ministry of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism (MEDAT), along with details about the locations and methods of conducting the courses, is available in the IT application.

The electronic platform will remain active until the available places for the courses are fully occupied, and a reserve list is also provided. The courses will be held for four calendar months, and upon completion, participants will receive a graduation certificate/certificate. After obtaining this document, graduates who intend to apply for funding through the Start-Up Nation program will be required to establish and register a company with ONRC.

Through the Start-Up Nation 2024-2025 program, MEDAT offers non-repayable financial support of up to 250,000 lei (about 50,000 euros) for at least 7,500 beneficiaries, with the objective of generating a minimum of 15,000 new jobs.