We are looking for startups and early-stage entrepreneurs who want to move their idea forward
Join a new pilot project supporting startups.
Develop your business or business idea and prepare it for expansion to the Czech–Austrian market.
We offer 20 places in a mentoring programme, individual consultations and contacts within an international network of experts.
Applications for the PILOT programme are open from 1 January to 11 February 2026.
For 20 selected projects, the pilot programme is free of charge.
What you gain by participating in the PILOT
A clearer strategy, faster project development and real opportunities for expansion
A personal mentoring plan
Mentoring and expert consultancy
Connection with experts and mentors from the Czech Republic and Austria
Cross-border networking
and first contacts in a foreign market
Participation in the Crossborder Startup Camp
4–5 March 2026
Up to 20 hours of individual support
Courage is not only about big leaps
Often one small step taken today is enough – not perfect, but genuine.
What are the selection criteria for participants
From the submitted projects, we will select 20 participants who meet the following conditions.
The full text of the call is available for download here.
INNOVATIVE
IDEA
A startup or innovative idea with a business history of up to 10 years.
CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION
Projects must demonstrate potential for cross-border expansion.
LANGUAGE
SKILLS
Ability to communicate in English or German.
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION
Commitment to (pro)actively participate in all pilot activities.
How the PILOT programme works
- You submit the online application no later than 11 February 2026.
- If selected, a StartupPoint manager will contact you no later than 28 February 2026 and arrange an initial consultation. The pilot programme is free of charge for selected projects.
- The entire pilot programme runs from 1 March to 31 July 2026.
- Together with the StartupPoint manager, you will set a mentoring plan, development priorities and specific goals.
- You will take part in the Startup Camp, where you will gain key insights into possible international expansion and meet other startups.
- This is followed by individual consultations with mentors and experts according to the needs of your project.
- The programme concludes with an evaluation of results and final feedback in the period 1–30 September 2026.
- The full text of the call can be found directly here.
Our mentors and lecturers
The pilot programme includes access to a database of experienced mentors covering key areas of startup development, with whom you will receive individual consultations.
A mentor is a shortcut to a place you would reach
on your own much later.
Our mentoring database is continuously updated.
What is the Crossborder Startup Camp
The Startup Camp is a two-day event in České Budějovice for all participants of the PILOT programme. It takes place on 4–5 March 2026.
You can expect intensive work on your own project, inspiring talks, a practical workshop and a panel discussion with successful startups that have expanded beyond their home market.
You will gain valuable contacts, networking opportunities and the chance to meet entrepreneurs facing similar challenges.
The camp is organised in cooperation with Czech and Austrian mentor teams.
About the Crossborder Startup Point project
The Crossborder Startup Point project is a Czech–Austrian initiative for the period 2024–2027, connecting startups, entrepreneurs, universities, coworking spaces and innovation centres in South Bohemia and Upper Austria.
Our goal is to build a shared cross-border support network – physical and online “startuppoints”, mentoring, expert consultations, events and networking – to help early-stage entrepreneurs more easily develop their ideas, find partners and naturally expand beyond their home market.
Would you like to get involved?
Fill in the application by 11 February 2026 and become one of 20 startups testing
a new cross-border business support programme.
You will gain access to experts, partner networks and opportunities that will move your project forward.
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