Serbia is one of the first countries in the region to adopt the so-called innovation imperative – the idea that successful participation in the world economy based on knowledge implies the ability to adapt and improve technological and research capacities based on cooperation between the public and private sectors.

Active since 2011, the Innovation Fund has been a pioneer in the institutional implementation of this imperative - primarily by increasing the capacity of start-ups and available resources for their growth. The Fund is thus part of a broader state innovation strategy.

The vision of the Fund is to, as a key state actor in the development of Serbia's innovation system, contribute to the country's economic growth by supporting innovation, strengthening the link between science and economy, establishing new and strengthening existing companies with innovative potential, through various financial instruments.

The Fund's mission is to support the development of innovation through appropriate financial, technical and advisory support instruments to empower innovative enterprises and strengthen the link between research and development on the one hand and the business sector on the other, respecting the highest ethical, financial and business standards and practices.

The Fund aims to improve the links between science, technology and the economy and contribute to encouraging the development of innovative entrepreneurship by:

• сupporting innovative entrepreneurship, especially in the early stages of development;
• connecting scientific research organizations and private companies for the development and commercialization of innovations;
• enabling new products, technologies and services to enter the market;
• establishing long-term institutional support of the state for innovative entrepreneurship in cooperation with international financial institutions, organizations, donors and the private sector.

The European Union's support to the Fund, since the beginning of its operational work in 2011, has given a crucial impetus to the financing of innovation in Serbia and the strengthening of links between the research and private sectors. 

The Innovation Fund has established an independent management structure with a developed system of international project auditing and a reputable Expert Commission consisting of international and diaspora experts with many years of experience running technology companies, scientific research, commercialization and investment in innovation.

Results

By encouraging innovative entrepreneurship and strengthening the link between science and economy, the Innovation Fund, under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, with the wholehearted support of the European Union and the World Bank, will make great efforts to create a positive environment to support the economy based on knowledge.