One nationally assigned committee, the National Startup Designation Committee, reviews every application against the same published criteria.
Its members come from research institutions, the startup industry and civil society, and the Ministry of Innovation and Technology chairs it (Proclamation Art. 10). The Committee makes the designation decision on its own. The Ministry then issues the certificate under its signature and seal.
Members serve a two-year term that can be renewed once. A member with a conflict of interest on an application steps aside from that evaluation (Directive Art. 12-15).
The internal pre-review committee checks that each application is complete: the required documents are attached and the details are filled in. It does not evaluate or score the application.
An incomplete application goes back to the applicant, or is rejected, always with a written reason.
Complete applications go straight to the National Startup Designation Committee, which evaluates each one on its merits against the criteria for its stage or builder type.
The Committee submits its result to the Ministry (Proclamation Art. 11).
Where it is useful, the Committee may invite an applicant to an interview or a practical presentation of the product, service or process.
It may also observe the work in person before deciding (Art. 9(3)).
A separate, inclusive and independent Grievance Committee of no fewer than seven members hears complaints from startups and ecosystem builders.
It covers decisions on designation, suspension and cancellation (Art. 22).
Every stage and builder type has its own weighted criteria and pass mark. Check them before you submit.