Business Accelerator UKIM

Power to founders, companies and the people behind them

One front door to the entrepreneurship ecosystem of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University — for startups raising their game, companies going digital, and the mentors and investors who back them.

Apply to a programme Explore support
400+ Founders supported
100+ Companies served
€533k Funding channelled
2,900+ Community members
Backed by EU · EIT · EBRD Part of DigitMak EDIH Hosted at UKIM

Where do you fit?

Three doors, one ecosystem

Pick the path that matches you. Each one leads into the same network of mentors, funding and partners.

Door 1

I have an idea or a startup

Students, researchers and founders at any stage.

  • Validation, acceleration and EIT-backed tracks
  • Mentoring, workspace and a founder community
  • A path to investment and follow-on funding
See startup support Door 2

I run a company

SMEs and organisations ready to modernise.

  • Digital maturity assessment & planning
  • Test-before-invest and innovation support
  • Access to funding and EU networks
See company support Door 3

I want to give back

Mentors, investors and experts.

  • Mentor a cohort or judge a demo day
  • Meet investment-ready startups
  • Shape the next generation of founders
Get involved

Get support

Two lanes of support, built around you

Whether you are building a startup or running a company, there is a structured path — with people, funding and tools behind it.

  1. Validate

    Test your idea, meet co-founders, and shape a first version with mentor support.

  2. Accelerate

    Join a cohort, sharpen your model and go to market with hands-on guidance.

  3. EIT paths

    Plug into EIT Community programmes and cross-border opportunities.

  4. Investment

    Get investment-ready and meet angels, funds and follow-on funding.

Apply as a startup
  1. Step 1
    You apply

    One short form. Pick your path and tell us the essentials.

  2. Step 2
    We review

    The team reads every application and gets back to you.

  3. Step 3
    Intro call

    A short call to understand your goals and fit.

  4. Step 4
    Matched

    You join the right programme, mentor or funding track.

  5. Step 5
    You build

    Ongoing support as you grow, raise and scale.

Give back

Get involved with the people behind it

The accelerator runs on a community of mentors, investors and experts. There is a role for you.

Mentor

Mentor a founder

Share what you know with a cohort or as a one-off.

  • ~2 hours a week during a cohort
  • Or a single masterclass / jury seat
  • Meet ambitious teams early
Become a mentor
Investor

Back a startup

Meet investment-ready teams from the region.

  • Curated deal flow
  • Demo days and pitch events
  • Co-investment opportunities
Join as investor
Expert

Lend your expertise

Legal, finance, design, growth — every skill helps.

  • Workshops and clinics
  • Advisory on specific challenges
  • Flexible commitment
Offer expertise

For funders & partners

Build with us

A credible, EU-connected delivery partner with a track record and the structures funders need.

UKIM Host institution
EDIH + NCC Part of DigitMak & EuroCC
PIC · OID EU-registered entity
EU · EIT · EBRD Funding partners

We combine the reach of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University with hands-on delivery: programmes, mentoring, and funding navigation for startups and companies across North Macedonia and the region.

Partner with us See our projects

Calendar

Events & deadlines

What is coming up across the ecosystem.

Rolling Application Startup validation intake Apply
Quarterly Cohort Acceleration programme kickoff Details
Monthly Community Founder meetups & clinics Join
Seasonal Event Demo day & investor showcase Register

From a founder

The accelerator gave us structure when we had only an idea — mentors, a first pilot and the confidence to raise. We would not be where we are without it.
Elena Petkovska · Founder, Omnilyst
Read more stories Apply

Track record

Projects & programmes we deliver

A portfolio of EU-funded and regional initiatives — as lead, national node or partner.

DigitMak EDIH

National node
European Digital Innovation Hub

Helping companies and public bodies become more competitive through digital transformation.

Focus Digital maturity Scope National

EuroCC3

National node
National Competence Centre

HPC, AI and data competence for industry, academia and public administration.

Focus HPC · AI Scope National

EIT Community Hub

Partner
European Institute of Innovation & Technology

Connecting local founders to pan-European innovation programmes and networks.

Focus Innovation Scope European

Youth in Business

Lead
EBRD

Supporting young entrepreneurs with training, mentoring and access to finance.

Focus Youth Scope Regional

EIT Jumpstarter

Partner
EIT Community

Pre-acceleration turning deep-tech ideas into investable businesses.

Focus Deep tech Scope European

Acceleration Programme

Lead
UKIM · partners

Our flagship cohort programme taking startups from traction to investment.

Focus Scale-up Scope National
Partner on a project

In good company

Partners & funders

EIT CommunityDigitMak EDIHEuroCC3UKIMFITDEBRD

Ready when you are. Pick your door.

Apply now Talk to us