Romanian Entrepreneurs’ Funding Opportunities in 2025

Romanian entrepreneurs will have the opportunity in 2025 to secure funding for startups, micro-enterprises, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in various forms. At the beginning of 2025, StartupCafe.ro presents a concise list of ten funding programs, including non-repayable grants, equity investments, and bank loans aimed at startups and SMEs in Romania.

1. Grants of €25,000-€300,000 in Bucharest-Ilfov

We are in the final stretch for the European grant program of €25,000-€300,000 available for micro-enterprises seeking to invest in the Bucharest-Ilfov region (urban area), under the Call for Projects PR BI P1/1.8/1/2024 – support for the sustainable growth and technological modernization of micro-enterprises.

Micro-enterprises (with fewer than 10 employees) can submit their projects via the MySMIS2021 electronic system between January 27, 2025, at 12:00 PM and February 10, 2025, at 12:00 PM.

This funding line for micro-enterprises in Bucharest and Ilfov has an available budget of €37,627,723.75, with €15,051,089.48 contributed by the European Union, and the rest covered by the national budget. The non-repayable funding per project is a minimum of €25,000 and a maximum of €300,000, converted into RON based on the InforEuro exchange rate of October 2024, which is 4.9764 RON per euro.

Beneficiaries must provide at least 10% co-financing for projects with non-repayable funding of up to €200,000, and a minimum of 20% co-financing for projects requesting between €200,001 and €300,000.

2. €150 Million European Funding for Energy Storage Capacities

The Ministry of Energy has been accepting applications since November 19, 2024, for projects under Key Program No. 1 – Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Storage. This program provides support for investments in the development of electricity storage capacities (batteries) financed through the Modernization Fund.

Eligible companies can still submit applications until February 17, 2025, via the MySMIS2021 system.

This funding process aims to finance projects for new electricity storage capacities (batteries) connected to existing renewable energy generation installations.

Funded investments must focus on energy storage from the following sources:

• Exclusively from renewable energy production installations to which they are directly connected.

• A mix of renewable energy and energy drawn from the National Power Grid, with the condition that at least 75% of the stored energy annually must come from the directly connected renewable energy installation.

Eligible applicants include economic operators (micro, small, medium, and large enterprises, excluding newly established companies), as well as autonomous administrations legally established in Romania or other EU member states and registered with the National Trade Register Office (ONRC).

Companies engaged in fishing and aquaculture activities are not eligible.

The total estimated budget is €150,000,000, converted into RON based on the InforEuro exchange rate of October 2024 (1 EUR = 4.9764 RON), and consists of non-repayable funds from the Modernization Fund.

The state aid will be provided in RON as a reimbursement for eligible expenses, covering up to 100% of eligible project costs, but not exceeding €10 million per enterprise and project. The maximum state aid per installed MWh of storage is €100,000.

3. AFIR Funding for SRLs, PFAs, IIs, and Other Agricultural and Food Industry Enterprises for Wind and Solar Power Installations

On December 25, 2024, the Agency for Financing Rural Investments (AFIR) opened a new call for project submissions. Farmers and entrepreneurs in the food sector can apply for a total funding of €150 million to purchase solar panels, wind generators, and energy storage batteries for their farms and businesses.

Investment projects can be submitted online on the AFIR website until February 28, 2025.

The available funds of €150 million are divided based on installed capacities and renewable energy sources:

For the 2024–2025 session, the state aid covers up to 100% of eligible costs.

• Wind energy projects can receive up to €700,000/MW, regardless of installed capacity.

• Solar energy projects can receive up to €550,000/MW for capacities above 1 MW and up to €650,000/MW for capacities below 1 MW.

Eligible beneficiaries include agricultural and food industry enterprises, legally registered with the National Trade Register Office (ONRC), as well as organizations and federations in land improvement (OUAI/FOUAI).

Eligible entities include:

• Legal entities (SRLs, cooperatives, etc.).

• Authorized individuals (PFAs), individual enterprises (IIs), family enterprises (IFs), and agricultural companies.

4. Other Regional Funds for SMEs

Micro-enterprises and SMEs can still access regional grant programs for 2021-2027.

For example, in the South-East Region (Constanța, Galați, Brăila, Buzău, Vrancea, Tulcea), two SME funding lines will be launched in 2025:

• €86 million for SME competitiveness grants (€220,000 – €1.5 million per project) (April-May 2025).

• €8 million for micro-enterprises (€20,000 – €200,000 per project) (May-June 2025).

In Bucharest-Ilfov, micro and small businesses will also have access to two grant programs:

• €25,000 – €50,000 for high digital intensity projects.

• €25,000 – €200,000 for advanced digital transformation.

These calls are expected to launch in April 2025, but could be delayed.

5. Startup Nation 4 – €50,000 Grants for Early-Stage Entrepreneurs

The fourth edition of Startup Nation was established by Ordinance 29/2024, published in August 2024.

Minister of Economy Bogdan Ivan confirmed that the program will continue in 2025, with a €444 million budget from EU funds.

The grant amount per beneficiary has increased from RON 200,000 to RON 250,000, but eligibility criteria have been significantly restricted.

6. Swiss Funds for Romanian Companies – SME Eco-Tech Program

The SME Eco-Tech funding program, supported by Switzerland, has a budget of RON 289 million (CHF 53.9 million).

Eligible SMEs can access grants of up to CHF 50,000, covering 40% of investment costs, with the remaining 60% financed through bank loans.

7. Investment Funds through PNRR

The EU allocated €400 million through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) for investment funds.

So far, eight venture capital and private equity funds have been launched, supporting Romanian startups and SMEs.

8. “Innovation Romania” Investment Fund (€106 Million)

This fund will support business angels and investment fund managers, who will invest in tech startups and SMEs.

9. National Entrepreneurial Hub

The National Entrepreneurial Hub will not directly fund businesses but will support incubators, accelerators, and investor networkswith a €20 million budget.

10. BT Mic Business Loans (up to RON 200,000)

BT Mic, part of the Banca Transilvania Group, offers loans of up to RON 200,000 for small businesses. Over 34,000 businesses have accessed over 48,000 loans in eight years.

This list highlights the main funding opportunities available in 2025 for Romanian entrepreneurs, ranging from grants to equity investments and loans.