Start-Up Nation 2026: What You Need to Know
The Start-Up Nation program remains one of the most accessible funding sources for entrepreneurs in Romania. With non-reimbursable grants of up to 50,000 euros, this program offers the opportunity to turn an idea into a real business, without incurring debt.
In 2026, the program places special emphasis on businesses in productive sectors, including logistics, warehousing, and distribution. This means that a business plan focused on a warehouse or logistics center has excellent chances of approval.
How to Prepare a Winning Business Plan
The secret to a successful business plan lies in demonstrating commercial viability and economic impact. You need to clearly show how your business will create jobs, contribute to the local economy, and what your competitive advantages are.
A crucial element is the detail of planned investments. Including warehousing equipment, such as industrial pallet racking, demonstrates seriousness and long-term planning. Evaluators appreciate investments in fixed assets that increase productive capacity.
Eligible Expenses Under the Program
Start-Up Nation covers a wide range of expenses, including: equipment and machinery (the category that includes industrial shelving systems), software and licenses, office furniture, raw materials, as well as consultancy and professional training.
It is important to allocate the budget strategically. Investing in high-performance storage racks can represent a significant portion of the budget and is fully justified by the increased operational capacity it brings.
Timeline and Concrete Steps
Registration for the program is done online, through the dedicated platform. Document preparation usually takes 2-4 weeks, and evaluation takes approximately 30 working days. Plan ahead to avoid missing deadlines.
Our advice: start with market research and identifying equipment suppliers now. Obtaining price offers from industrial rack suppliers will allow you to properly substantiate the project budget.
