Frequently Asked Questions

Current Event Focus:

At the moment, we are taking submissions for the event at the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, scheduled for November 13th, 2025.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Founder Origin: At least one founder must originate from Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Company Stage: Startups should be at early revenue stage or beyond with demonstrable traction
• Fundraising Status: Currently seeking investment or planning to raise capital within the next 12 months

Priority Consideration:

Priority will be given to companies who are:

• Based in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Have operations in both Bosnia and Herzegovina and the UK
• Show strong potential for UK market expansion

Future Events:

We plan to expand to other emerging markets and embassy partnerships. If you're from a different country and interested in future opportunities, please feel free to contact us to be notified when we announce events for other regions.

For EU Citizens:

As of April 2, 2025, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens (except Irish citizens) need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK without a visa.

• The ETA costs £16 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years
• You can apply through the 'UK ETA app' or through GOV.UK website
• Most applicants get an automatic decision in minutes
• Irish citizens do NOT need an ETA

For Bosnian Citizens:

Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens are required to obtain a UK Standard Visitor Visa prior to entering the United Kingdom. This multiple-entry visa typically permits a stay of up to 180 days per visit and has a validity of 6 months.

• You need to complete a detailed application form and submit supporting documents
• The application process requires financial proof, accommodation details, and travel itinerary
• Processing time is typically 2-3 weeks

Late submissions will not be accepted due to the time required for evaluation, embassy coordination, and event planning. We strongly recommend submitting your application well before the deadline to allow time for any clarifications or additional information requests.

Participant Responsibility:

It is every participant's responsibility to pay for their own expenses in relation to the event, including but not limited to:

• Travel costs: Flights, trains, or other transportation to London
• Accommodation: Hotel, Airbnb, or other lodging arrangements
• Meals and refreshments: Outside of those provided at the event
• Visa fees: Any costs associated with obtaining UK travel authorization
• Local transportation: Getting to and from the embassy and accommodation
• Personal expenses: Any other costs incurred during your visit

What's Included:

Diplomatic Capital provides the event venue, networking opportunity, presentation platform, and light refreshments during the event. We also provide guidance and support throughout the application and preparation process.

Planning Recommendation:

We recommend budgeting for at least 2-3 nights in London to account for the rehearsal session, main event, and any potential follow-up meetings with interested investors.

Selected startups must attend both the rehearsal and main event. The rehearsal is essential for coordinating with embassy staff, testing presentation technology, and ensuring smooth event execution.

Travel Planning: We recommend arriving in London by November 5th to allow time for any last-minute preparations and to account for potential travel delays.

Diplomatic Capital is a trading name of Researchmatic Limited, a UK-based company dedicated to bridging global innovation with strategic investment opportunities.

Leadership:

The initiative is run by Nigel Cannings (LinkedIn Profile), an experienced entrepreneur, author, and investor with extensive experience in connecting innovative startups with sophisticated investors.

Strategic Partnerships:

Nigel is a member of the Global Executive of the National Security and Resilience Consortium (NSaRC), an international organization devoted to fostering security through trade and economic cooperation.

Embassy Cooperation:

NSaRC was instrumental in helping secure the cooperation of embassies for these events, providing the diplomatic credibility and networks essential for creating these unique investment opportunities.

Mission:

Our goal is to create sustainable investment ecosystems that benefit entrepreneurs in emerging markets, UK investors seeking diversified opportunities, and the broader diplomatic and economic relationships between nations.

We are particularly interested in innovative startups across the following sectors:

• FinTech: Digital payments, financial inclusion, blockchain applications
• HealthTech: Digital health solutions, medical devices, telemedicine
• EdTech: Educational technology, e-learning platforms, skills development
• PropTech: Real estate technology, smart buildings, property management
• ClimateTech: Clean energy, sustainability solutions, environmental monitoring
• SaaS: Software-as-a-Service solutions for business efficiency
• Other innovative technologies: That address global challenges or significant market opportunities

We're looking for startups that demonstrate strong growth potential, have reached at least early revenue stage, and can benefit from UK investment and market access.

Investment discussions typically focus on:

• Seed rounds: £100K - £500K
• Series A: £500K - £2M
• Growth stage: £1M - £5M+

Many of our investor connections are particularly interested in opportunities that may qualify for UK tax-efficient investment schemes such as:

• EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme): Up to £1M investment with 30% tax relief
• VCT (Venture Capital Trust): For larger investments with tax advantages

Note: Investment discussions are preliminary and non-binding. All investment decisions are made independently by individual investors based on their own due diligence.

Our evaluation process:

• Initial Review (1-2 weeks): Application screening for basic eligibility
• Detailed Assessment (2-3 weeks): In-depth evaluation of business model, market opportunity, and team
• Embassy Coordination (1 week): Coordination with embassy partners for final selection
• Notification (Late September): All applicants notified of selection status
• Preparation Phase (October-November): Selected startups work with our team to prepare presentations

Selection Criteria:

• Innovation and market potential
• Team experience and capability
• Traction and revenue growth
• Suitability for UK investment
• Alignment with embassy partnership goals