Three4ResilientArmenia Acceleration Program

Ready to scale your business and lead the market?

Introducing the Three4ResilientArmenia Acceleration Program! This intensive 7-month program is specifically designed to transform established, market-proven SMEs led by displaced entrepreneurs from Nagorno-Karabakh (2020 – 2023) into high-growth, investment-ready enterprises.

If you have an existing business in Armenia and are ready to expand your operations, enter new markets, and strengthen your financial sustainability, this program is your gateway to the next level.

Program Overview

The Three4ResilientArmenia Acceleration Program will support up to 10 businesses founded by refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh with a goal to facilitate business growth, strengthen financial sustainability, and prepare them to become investment-ready. The program is offered both online and in person at Impact Hub Yerevan. It offers high-level strategic guidance, financial coaching, and a chance to receive significant funding.

This program is part of the Three4ResilientArmenia project, funded by the European Union and implemented by Armenian Caritas Benevolent NGO, IRIS Business Incubator, and Impact Hub Armenia Social Innovation Development Foundation. The purpose of the program is to promote the social cohesion and economic integration of people displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh (2020 – 2023) and their host communities.

Program Objectives

• Scaling and Market Impact: Transform stable ventures into high-growth enterprises by expanding market reach and product innovation.
• Investment Readiness: Prepare SMEs to attract external capital and manage professional-grade financial systems.
• Operational Leadership: Enhance the strategic management skills of founding teams to handle increased operational complexity.
• Financial Sustainability: Ensure long-term viability through rigorous business modeling and scaling plans.

Who Can Apply?

The program is open to registered SMEs across all regions of the Republic of Armenia that meet the following criteria:

1. Leadership and Ownership Requirements:

Applicants must be already registered legal entities in Armenia. This program targets businesses founded by refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh with a goal to facilitate business growth, strengthen financial sustainability, and prepare them to become investment-ready.

2. Business Maturity:

• Existing Market Presence: You must have a product or service already available in the market.
• Validated Sales: You must have documented sales and a validated customer base.
• Growth Ambition: A clear plan to scale operations, enter new regions, or introduce new service lines.

3. Ethical Standards:

The business must operate in ethically sound sectors, demonstrating a commitment to environmentally friendly practices and avoiding harmful industries (e.g., tobacco, weapons or mining & etc.).

What You Will Get

• Advanced Workshops: Seminars focused on Market Expansion, Investment Readiness, and Strategic Leadership.
• Intensive Mentorship: 9 structured sessions with a Lead Mentor to co-create a 6-month Scaling Plan, plus 3 specialized financial mentoring sessions.
• Post-Grant Coaching: 4 specialized sessions for grant winners to assist with procurement and financial reporting.
• International Exposure: High-performing participants may be selected to participate in up to two International Trade Fairs/Expos.

• Financial Support:

• • Standard Grants: Average of €20,000 for 5 successful SMEs.
  • High-Tier Grants: Based on the assessment and final selection by a jury of experts, exceptional performers (1-2 participants) may be eligible to receive grants of up to €60,000.
  • Non-Interest Loans: Additionally, the VIA Fund will explore the possibility of offering non-interest loans to the winners, leveraging private funding opportunities.
  • Networking: Exclusive access to strategic partners, industry experts, and financial stakeholders.

Program Timeline

• Application Deadline: August 27, 2026 
• Active Acceleration Phase: Mid-September 2026 – April 2027
• Location: Impact Hub Yerevan

You will receive a response regarding the approval or rejection of your application no sooner than September 15th.

Selection Criteria

Initial selection will be based on:

• Business Track Record: Evidence of validated sales and operational history.
• Team Capacity: Technical expertise and commitment of the leadership team.
• Scaling Potential: Clear identification of current bottlenecks and how to overcome them.
• Innovation: Your unique competitive edge in the market.
• Strategic Clarity: Quality of the application and transparency.

Have Questions?

Contact Us:

Impact Hub Armenia Social Innovation Development Foundation

E-mail: [email protected]

If you are ready to take your venture to the next level and contribute to the resilience of the Armenian economy, we want to hear from you.  Apply Today!