Can I apply if I’m not from Lithuania or Central Eastern Europe (CEE)?

Yes! Anyone can apply to Startup Highway, as long as you and your team can stay in Lithuania legally for the duration of the program. 

Where is StartupHighway based and what will the program look like?

The current round of StartupHighway will be based in Vilnius, Lithuania. The applications to StartupHighway is closed. The program will start on 20 May 2013 in Vilnius. You can read more about the program's structure here. 

How much investment do the selected StartupHighway companies receive?

Your start-up will receive €2,000 for the idea and €3,000 per founder (for up to 4 founders), in return we will take a minority stake (7.5% of your startup's shares) in your company.  For example, if you are a company with 3 founders you will get €11,000 in exchange for 7.5% of the company's shares. 

We have introduced a new option, that allows teams that have already received funding or are cashflow generative to participate in StartupHighway for 3.75% of founder shares - without any additional investment funding.

In addition to StartupHighway's funding, all 2013 Spring program participants (applications now open) can opt-in for additional €30,000 convertible note from our partners - Practica Capital. This deal is optional and we have already negotiated a standard term sheet for you, so you can get quick access to additional funding if you need it.

Is my company at a too early (or late) stage to apply to StartupHighway?

No! We will accept start-ups both at a very early stage and later stages, because we believe that the unique focus on mentorship can bring value to start-ups of any stage.

Why is StartupHighway based in Vilnius?

We believe that StartupHighway combines the best of both worlds – a very experienced fleet of mentors from all around Europe combined with the value advantages associated with doing a startup in tech business friendly Vilnius. We think that €14,000 in Vilnius will take your startup further than in any other European city!

Do we have to stay in Vilnius during the whole program?

Yes. We believe that due to the intense nature of the program you will get most out of it if you participate in all the activities. We do however recognise that there may be very important meetings or other kinds of emergencies that you may have to attend to. 

Where will we live during the program?

Don't worry, we will help all selected teams find suitable accomodation for the duration of the program.  Read our guide to get a better idea of what living in Vilnius might cost.

How much does it cost to live in Vilnius?

In short, Vilnius is a great place to start a business. You can expect that €550 will cover all expenses for a whole month for one person. Read our guide to get a better idea of what living in Vilnius is like.