STAR UP – Transforming Kosovo’s Start-up Ecosystem through European Union Support

In an increasingly digital global market, where the pace of innovation and access to international networks are key drivers of economic growth, projects that establish sustainable foundations for technological development play a vital role. One of the most successful initiatives in this regard is the STAR UP project, funded by the European Union and implemented by STIKK (Kosovo ICT Association).

The primary objective of the STAR UP project is to contribute to the creation of an enabling digital ecosystem for start-ups in Kosovo, accelerating their development and growth with a particular focus on investment readiness and the export of services to EU markets. Companies not only surviving in the local market, but also positioning themselves as competitive players in the European digital economy make the foundation upon which the project is built. 

This vision is closely aligned with STIKK’s long-term strategy to empower Kosovo’s ICT sector as a pillar of economic development, job creation, and EU market integration. STAR UP represents a concrete platform for transforming potential into action: from idea to product, from local to international markets.

One of STAR UP’s most tangible EU Funded achievements is the full operationalization of TechPark Prishtina – Kosovo’s first dedicated center for digital innovation and tech entrepreneurship. Equipped with modern infrastructure, advanced technological equipment, and contemporary workspace design, TechPark has become a vibrant environment for start-up growth and collaboration.

28 ICT start-ups were selected and installed in TechPark to benefit from access to infrastructure, training, and mentoring; 15 start-ups were awarded grants of up to €10,000, with seven of them led by women entrepreneurs, reflecting the project’s strong commitment to gender inclusion; More than 150 one-on-one mentoring sessions and over twenty structured training sessions were delivered by seven expert mentors in fields such as finance, law, IPR, HR, business management, and digital transformation; Seven national B2B events were organized in cooperation with sectors such as wood, metal, food processing, and agri-business, enabling start-ups to build new partnerships and identify digitalization needs across traditional industries; Ten Kosovar start-ups participated in major international tech and investment events in Helsinki (SLUSH) and Vienna (ViennaUP), where they engaged directly with European investors and business networks. These are just some  of the landmark results achieved during the implementation of the project, which clearly demonstrate STAR UP’s direct impact and EU’s commitment on strengthening Kosovo’s digital entrepreneurship ecosystem. 

To help companies develop export strategies and understand international legal and financial compliance requirements for entering the EU market, an important component of the project was to host export readiness workshops and arrange one-on-one consultations with export experts for business representatives. 

One of the most inspiring success stories to emerge from STAR UP is that of The Lobby Boy start-up, which, thanks to its involvement in project activities and participation in KosICT 2023, secured a €160,000 investment from the international company Aston Capital Partners. This case is a direct testament to the power of STAR UP’s comprehensive approach and the international competitiveness of Kosovar start-ups.

The European Union’s support has been essential not only for providing financial resources but also for establishing high standards of implementation, professionalism, and transparency, while fostering stronger connections with European innovation networks. STAR UP has become a model for how EU funding, combined with local expertise and a clear vision, can generate lasting impact.

To ensure that STAR UP’s impact endures beyond the project cycle, continuous support for tech entrepreneurship is essential. This includes: Launching new editions of the program, with an increased focus on export readiness, advanced financing, and integration of Artificial Intelligence tools; Sustained participation in international networks, investor forums, and technology fairs, further strengthening the global visibility of Kosovar start-ups; Ongoing support for women in ICT, through gender targets, tailored mentorship, and targeted incentives.