«Ξεκινώ Επιχειρηματικά» (Start a Business): Self-Employment Grant for Higher-Education Graduates (ESPA)

The «Ξεκινώ Επιχειρηματικά» (Start a Business) action of the «Competitiveness» 2021-2027 programme (ESPA) supported small and micro businesses being set up or newly set up by people whose first higher-education degree (university, or a recognised higher arts school or conservatory) was obtained after 1/1/2016. Newly set up means registered with AADE from 1/1/2025 up to the application. The business had to operate only in eligible activity codes (ΚΑΔ), in separate business premises that are not the home of the beneficiary or of a first- or second-degree relative.

The grant was a lump sum for 18 months of operation: EUR 13,000 for a business with one beneficiary and EUR 21,000 for a company, plus up to EUR 15,000 for creating one new job. The beneficiary's individual income could not exceed EUR 30,000 (for a dependant with no obligation to file a tax return, the family income EUR 75,000). Beneficiaries could not be in paid employment or receive an old-age pension from the start of the business and throughout the business plan.

The budget was EUR 70,000,000. Applications were filed on ΟΠΣΚΕ from 6/5/2026 to 30/6/2026 (15:00) and the action has ended; the evaluation results were issued in September and October 2026. No new round has been announced. Earlier rounds of a similar action for graduates ran in 2016 and 2017 (ΕΠΑνΕΚ 2014-2020).