EIT Community Hub North Macedonia
Igniting Innovation Capacities in North Macedonia
North Macedonia is steadily strengthening its innovation ecosystem, driven by a growing startup community, strong engineering talent, internationally connected universities, and increasing participation in European innovation and entrepreneurship programmes. While the country continues to narrow the gap with more advanced innovation economies, it is already demonstrating strengths in digital technologies, entrepreneurship support, and emerging deep-tech ventures.
According to the European Innovation Scoreboard 2026, North Macedonia is classified as an Emerging Innovator, with innovation performance reaching 38.5% of the EU average. While this highlights the need for continued investment and ecosystem development, it also reflects positive momentum and a growing capacity for innovation.
To accelerate this progress, North Macedonia has adopted a Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) for 2024-2027, focusing investments and capabilities on four priority domains: Smart Agriculture and Food with Higher Added Value, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Electro-Mechanical Industry and Industry 4.0, and Sustainable Materials and Smart Buildings. Energy for the Future and Tourism serve as horizontal priorities that support all four domains.
Through Horizon Europe, EIT, Digital Europe, Erasmus+, and other international cooperation programmes, North Macedonian organisations are becoming increasingly integrated into European innovation, research, and entrepreneurship networks.
The EIT Community Hub in North Macedonia connects local innovators to Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem through the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (EIT RIS). As a Horizon Europe Associated Country, North Macedonia is fully eligible for RIS activities, providing entrepreneurs, researchers, students, startups, companies, and public organisations with access to the opportunities offered by all EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs).
About the EIT Community Hub
The EIT Community Hub in North Macedonia serves as the country’s gateway to the EIT Community, connecting local innovators with education, business creation, venture development, and collaboration opportunities across Europe through EIT RIS.
Our mission is to strengthen North Macedonia’s participation in European innovation networks and increase the visibility, competitiveness, and impact of local innovators. By connecting stakeholders across academia, industry, government, and civil society, the Hub supports the creation of new partnerships, investments, and innovation-driven growth.
The Hub strengthens the knowledge triangle of business, education, and research while coordinating Cross-KIC activities nationally, enabling local actors to discover, access, and benefit from the full range of EIT opportunities.
We cooperate with and support all EIT KICs by actively promoting their calls, programmes, and services in North Macedonia, while helping applicants identify the opportunities most relevant to their needs.
We provide:
- Access and Awareness – Localising and promoting EIT opportunities through outreach activities, information sessions, and ecosystem engagement across regions and sectors.
- Venture and Market Support – Connecting startups and SMEs with EIT accelerators, investors, mentors, pilot opportunities, and European markets.
- Skills and Talent Development – Linking entrepreneurs, students, researchers, and professionals with EIT education, training, and upskilling programmes aligned with national priorities.
The Hub’s activities are aligned with North Macedonia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy 2024-2027, which guides our efforts to connect innovators with the most relevant EIT programmes and opportunities.
Implementation is led by Business Accelerator UKIM (BAU), North Macedonia’s first startup and technology accelerator, established by Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (UKIM) together with private-sector partners.
BAU has successfully participated in and delivered more than 20 international programmes worth over €5 million, supporting more than 120 startups and SMEs, evaluating over 400 innovative ideas, facilitating more than €633,000 in startup investments, engaging over 1,500 entrepreneurs, innovators, students, and professionals, and mobilising more than 50 international mentors, investors, and experts. Through BAU’s participation in the European Digital Innovation Hub DigitMak, the Hub also connects companies with digital transformation services that reinforce national S3 priorities and strengthen links between academia, startups, industry, and public institutions.
“North Macedonia has the talent, ambition, and creativity needed to become a stronger contributor to the European innovation landscape. Our role as the EIT Community Hub is to help innovators access the knowledge, partnerships, funding, and networks that can accelerate their growth and impact. By bringing together stakeholders across sectors and connecting them to the EIT Community, we can transform innovative ideas into successful ventures, sustainable solutions, and long-term societal value.”
ALEKSANDAR STAMBOLIEV, EIT COMMUNITY OFFICER NORTH MACEDONIA
EIT Funding & Impact
Between 2021 and 2024, the EIT Community invested more than €1.1 million in organisations across North Macedonia, supporting 18 startups and ventures, engaging 2,610 participants in entrepreneurship, education, and innovation programmes, and contributing to the development of two market-ready innovations.
These investments have helped strengthen local innovation capacities, provide new opportunities for entrepreneurs and researchers, and deepen North Macedonia’s integration into the European innovation ecosystem. Five organisations from North Macedonia currently participate in EIT KIC Business Plans, creating lasting connections with European partners, expertise, markets, and investment networks.
About the EIT Community Officer
Aleksandar Stamboliev
EIT Community Officer, North Macedonia
Aleksandar Stamboliev has served as the EIT Community Officer for North Macedonia since 2023, acting as a bridge between local innovators and the EIT Community. He coordinates cross-KIC collaboration, mobilises partners across business, education, research, and government, and helps local organisations access European programmes, funding opportunities, expertise, and networks through the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme.
With more than 27 years of experience as an interdisciplinary change agent, he has worked at the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation, economic development, education, and digital transformation. His work focuses on strengthening innovation ecosystems, improving access to finance, and fostering collaboration among academia, industry, government, and civil society.
As CEO and co-founder of Business Accelerator UKIM (BAU), he has led the implementation of more than 20 international innovation and entrepreneurship programmes with a combined value exceeding €5 million, supporting startups, SMEs, researchers, and students in developing innovative solutions and accessing international opportunities.
Aleksandar holds a Master’s degree in European Economics and International Finance from the University of Rome Tor Vergata and has specialised in Corporate Governance at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje. He has also completed executive education programmes at the Schulich Executive Education Centre (York University) and the MASHAV Accelerator Management Programme. He has served as an external evaluator of EU-funded education and development programmes, contributing expertise in innovation, entrepreneurship, and capacity building.
Contact Details
- Email: north.macedonia@eitcommunity.eu
- Phone: +389 71 578 550
- Address: Rugjer Boshkovikj no 18, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
- LinkedIn: EIT Community Hub North Macedonia
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Upcoming Opportunities
Stay updated with the latest opportunities related to North Macedonia's innovation ecosystem and the activities of the EIT Community Hub.
