The Innovation Fund of Montenegro invites startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), research spin-off companies, and innovative teams from Montenegro to apply for the WAVEMAKER Business Creation Award, a regional competition designed to foster the development and promotion of promising solutions in the field of the blue economy.
The regional WAVEMAKER event will take place on 17 September 2026 at ADRIA TECH Technology Park in Šibenik, Croatia, where selected finalists will present their solutions to investors and key stakeholders from the water, marine, and maritime sectors.
The call is open to applicants from Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Montenegro, Cyprus, and other countries across the region.
The competition is intended for teams developing scalable, market-oriented solutions in the following areas:
- Protection of marine and freshwater ecosystem health;
- Efficient and circular water management;
- Climate resilience of coastal areas and water systems;
- Marine and water monitoring;
- Smart maritime operations and marine robotics;
- Autonomous systems, environmental intelligence, and the circular blue economy.
Eligible applicants include startups, spin-off companies, SMEs, researchers working on the commercialization of their research results, as well as student and other multidisciplinary teams developing solutions with clear market potential. The working language of both the programme and the regional event is English.
Up to ten teams will be selected for the regional final. Finalists will receive mentoring support to refine their business models and prepare investor-ready pitches.
The three highest-ranked teams at the regional event will earn the official WAVEMAKERS title and receive a one-year membership in the EIT Water Community for 2027, providing access to a European network of partners, programmes, and business opportunities.
The regional winner will represent the ADRION region at the EIT Water Launch Event, to be held on 15 October 2026 in Málaga, Spain, where they will compete for the overall WAVEMAKER title and a €5,000 Business Growth Award.
The application deadline is 31 August 2026.
Detailed information, the Rules & Regulations, and the application form are available here:
Applications from women-led teams, as well as teams whose members belong to underrepresented groups, are particularly encouraged.
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