Seed Starter
Seed Starter is a new program from BCR. We are looking for 'long-game' startups - business plans that have the potential to last for 200 years, thanks to their vision and value for customers. Just like Erste.
The Seed Starter program supports startups in the Go-To-Market phase, and the BCR environment. Our team of experts and mentors have the know-how to connect startups and the corporate world, and help with international expansion.
What you get
We typically look to invest anywhere between 300.000 and 600.000 EUR during the seed phase in exchange for minority non-control participations, but we are flexible and may go below or above depending on your startup’s success and its needs. We can also do follow-on investments in later seed rounds if your long-term potential is proven. We may partner with the other Seed Starter CVCs of Erste and are open to invest along other venture capital partners.
We’ll give you ample opportunity for both personal and corporate growth and help you to set your startup on the right course, having access to accelerating/incubation resources tailored to your needs.
Our aim is to build a synergetic partnership with BCR and Erste ecosystem and help you scale your business to fit BCR clients and global markets.
Who is the program for?
We focus on young companies with a great product or service, a clear vision and high ambitions - not only in the field of fintech.
We are not looking for projects in the idea phase, but for those which already have a working MVP, a dedicated team and a real need for investment to propel further growth.
Our program is designed for both Romanian and foreign startups, which could ideally create synergies with BCR in terms of a product for our customers or within our company. Successful startups may also subsequently offer their products via our extensive distribution network.
How do we work with startups?
It all starts by filling in an application for the Seed Starter program. Selected projects will go through a structured assessment process which will include pitching sessions in front of decision makers, and due diligence rounds, during which we will thoroughly test each venture to see if it has what it takes to go the distance.
If you successfully pass the investment selection process, we will agree the terms and conditions of our investment, which should be expected to be in line with international standards for such type of investment. Once the transaction is completed, our focus will be on how to best support you during the seed phase, depending on your needs.
The whole process of selecting a startup from the first application to the final round of investment decision is fast and flexible.