Mir Foundation

What Mir Foundation does

Mir Foundation (Фондација за менаџмент и индустриско истражување / Foundation for Management and Industrial Research) is a private non-profit foundation established in 2002 and headquartered in Skopje, North Macedonia. It operates as a multidisciplinary research and advisory organisation delivering four programme areas: economic development and SME support, research and innovation/technology transfer, environment and circular economy, and society-focused social cohesion initiatives. Core service lines are Consultations and Research Services (covering innovation strategy, circular economy transition, gender equality, project management, and policy advisory) and Education and Networking Services (training academies, B2B matchmaking events, and thematic conferences), supported by an e-learning platform at pretpriemacedu.mk and branded programmes such as EWA Macedonia (women in agrifood, run with EIT Food), STEM Discovery Lab, and STREAM-IT science communication mentoring.

The foundation's underlying operating model is a grant-funded consortium partner rather than a software or product company. It is embedded in the Enterprise Europe Network, EIT Food, AIM Global, DIGITMAK (a European Digital Innovation Hub), Wegate, the National Platform for Women Entrepreneurship, and multiple Horizon Europe and IPA-ADRION consortia including POLICY ANSWERS, POLICY ENLARGE, CAROUSEL, EMPOWERING, and STREAM-IT. Revenue mechanics blend EU programme grants (Horizon Europe, IPA-ADRION, IPA cross-border cooperation), bespoke advisory engagements quoted on a per-engagement basis, and capacity-building programmes often delivered at no cost to participants. Customer segments are deliberately heterogeneous — enterprises and SMEs, young entrepreneurs and startups, women entrepreneurs, public institutions, academia, and civil society organisations — reflecting the foundation's mandate to bridge economic, environmental, and social objectives across the Western Balkans.

Name

Mir Foundation

Legal name

Фондација за менаџмент и индустриско истражување (Foundation for Management and Industrial Research)

Website

https://mir.org.mk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Mir Foundation is a Skopje-based non-profit research and advisory organisation delivering innovation, technology transfer, circular economy, and gender equality programmes to SMEs, public institutions, and entrepreneurs across the Western Balkans through EU-funded consortia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Research and Advisory Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Other Management Consulting Services (541618), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

STEM, Digital Skills & Innovation Partnerships (EDADALAJ), Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning (MEL) & Reporting for Donor Programs (BPADAOAL)

Keywords

• Innovation advisory services
• Technology transfer consulting
• Circular economy advisory
• Entrepreneurship training programs
• Gender equality research

Headquarters

HQ city

Skopje

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Advisory and Consultancy Services: MIR Foundation provides advisory services to enterprises, SMEs, and public institutions in areas including innovation strategy, technology transfer, circular economy transition, entrepreneurship development, and gender equality. Revenue is generated through contracted consultancy engagements.
2. EU-Funded Project Participation: The foundation participates as a partner in multiple Horizon Europe, IPA, and other EU-funded projects. While these are typically grant-based, they fund the foundation's operational costs and program delivery.
3. Training and Capacity Building Programs: The foundation delivers training programs, academies, and professional development courses. These include starting a business training academy, women entrepreneurship academy, and specialized vocational training programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mir Foundation is a non-profit research and advisory organization delivering multidisciplinary consulting, research, and capacity-building services to enterprises, SMEs, public institutions, and civil society in North Macedonia and the Western Balkans. Its core services cover innovation and technology transfer, circular economy transition, entrepreneurship and SME development, gender equality in research and innovation, project management and evaluation, and strategy and policy development. Service delivery combines bespoke advisory engagements, training academies, conferences, B2B matchmaking events, EU-funded project implementation, and a self-serve online learning platform.

Product overview

Mir Foundation (Foundation for Management and Industrial Research) operates as a multidisciplinary research and consultancy organization offering a portfolio of advisory services and educational programmes. The core offerings include Consultations and Research Services (covering innovation & technology transfer, circular economy, entrepreneurship & SME development, gender equality, project management, and policy) and Education & Networking Services (including training, conferences, academies, and B2B events). Supporting these are specialized programmes such as EWA Macedonia (women in agrifood), STEM Discovery Lab (STEAM education for girls), STREAM-IT (science communication mentoring), TvinTech Connect/Talk (innovation conferences), and CAROUSEL (circular economy). The organization also implements European co-funded projects including POLICY ANSWERS and EMPOWERING. An e-learning platform (pretpriemacedu.mk) provides online education. The portfolio functions as interconnected service lines rather than a unified software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Consultations and Research Services Advisory services for enterprises, SMEs, public institutions, and civil society covering innovation and technology transfer, circular economy transition, entrepreneurship and SME development, gender equality, project management and evaluation, and strategy and policy development.
• Education and Networking Services Capacity-building programmes for companies, public institutions, and civil society in innovation, technology transfer, circular economy, entrepreneurship, gender equality, public policy, and project management, delivered through training, conferences, academies, and B2B matchmaking events.
• Online Learning Platform (pretpriemacedu.mk) Self-serve e-learning platform offering online courses on entrepreneurship, gender mainstreaming in research and innovation, and related capacity-building topics, accessible to individual learners.
• EWA Macedonia Programme Empowering Women in Agrifood programme supported by EIT Food, providing training, mentorship, and financial awards (€10,000 and €5,000 in 2025) for women with innovative ideas in the agrifood sector in North Macedonia.
• STEM Discovery Lab Educational and inspirational programme designed for girls, bringing science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics closer through practical, creative, and empowering approaches.
• TvinTech Connect and TvinTech Talk Conference Series Conference series focused on innovation, technology transfer, and networking, connecting national and international expertise in the Western Balkans region.
• STREAM-IT Mentoring Programme Mentorship programme for capacity building in science communication, preparing young researchers for national and international scientific communication competitions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 150 participants engaged in capacity building on smart specialisation through POLICY ANSWERS program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• POLICY ENLARGE ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026POLICY ENLARGE is a Horizon Europe project supporting research and innovation policies in enlargement countries. MIR Foundation participates in this initiative following the kick-off meeting in Budapest in April 2026.
• UKRI - UK Innovation and ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025UK Research and Innovation engagement through POLICY ANSWERS peer-learning activities, focusing on innovation policies and funding mechanisms between UK and Western Balkans.
• NESTA - UK Innovation AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025NESTA engagement for discussions on innovation for social good and best practices in policy implementation.
• Oxford Brookes UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Meeting with Professor Simonetta Manfredi, Director of Research, Innovation and Enterprise. Discussion on entrepreneurial and innovation support systems within the university ecosystem.
• European Small Business AllianceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2025Meeting with John Walker, Treasurer, focusing on SME support, industrial research, and sustainable economic growth discussions.
• AIM GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024MIR Foundation joined AIM Global (Global Alliance on Artificial Intelligence for Industry and Manufacturing) to advance safe, sustainable, and inclusive AI use in industry through strategic collaboration.
• CAROUSEL Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CAROUSEL (Creating A maRketplace fOr Up-cycled productS sEcond Life) is an IPA-ADRION project piloting approaches to increase circular lifestyles. MIR Foundation participates in partner meetings across 6 Adriatic-Ionian countries, contributing to pilot activities and circular economy ecosystem development.
• STREAM-IT Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024STREAM-IT (Streaming girls and women into STEAM education, innovation and research) is a Horizon Europe project aiming to overcome barriers faced by underrepresented groups in STEM. MIR Foundation participates in general assemblies and implements national activities including mentorship programs and science communication competitions.
• EMPOWERING Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024EMPOWERING (Empowering M-Women in Industry) is a European project dedicated to millennial women in manufacturing industry. Consortium includes IPRA/MEDEF (France), Fundacja Digital Creators (Poland), Confindustria Toscana Servizi (Italy), European Centre For Women And Technology (Norway), and MIR Foundation (North Macedonia).
• INOVA - Agency for InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024MIR Foundation collaborates with INOVA (Agency for Innovation, Scientific and Technological Development, and Entrepreneurship) on POLICY ANSWERS capacity building activities, implementing joint programs anchored in Macedonia's Smart Specialisation Strategy.
• POLICY ANSWERS ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2022POLICY ANSWERS (R&I POLICY making, implementation And Support in the WEstern BalkanS) is a 4-year Horizon Europe project supporting cooperation on innovation, research, education, culture, youth and sport. The project involves 14 partner organizations representing network nodes in the Western Balkans and EU expert organizations.
• Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMIR Foundation is an active member of Enterprise Europe Network, participating in sector group meetings and organizing brokerage events. Through EEN, they connect Macedonian businesses with European partners for technology transfer, innovation cooperation, and international business expansion.
• EIT FoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs an EIT Food partner, MIR Foundation implements the EWA (Empowering Women in Agrifood) program in Macedonia, supporting women with ideas in the agrifood sector through training, mentorship, and financial support.
• Wegate PlatformminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWEgate is a European platform supporting women's entrepreneurship. MIR Foundation participates in Wegate activities, summits, and thematic groups addressing digital and green transition for women entrepreneurs.
• DIGITMAK (European Digital Innovation Hub)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDIGITMAK is a newly established European Digital Innovation Hub positioning Macedonia in the European digital economy. MIR Foundation is part of this initiative to advance digital transformation.
• National Platform for Women Entrepreneurship (NPWE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIR Foundation partners with the National Platform for Women Entrepreneurship, implementing programs for women entrepreneurs including conferences, webinars, and study visits to promote women's entrepreneurship in Macedonia.
• Network NatureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNetwork Nature is referenced as a partner platform, suggesting collaboration on nature-based solutions and environmental initiatives.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SPARK: Dutch foundation active across the Western Balkans supporting youth employment, SME development, and education. Comparable mission (SME/youth/women empowerment), similar non-profit delivery model, and direct overlap in target beneficiaries and EU project participation.
• Western Balkans Growth Foundation (WBGF): Berlin-based regional foundation providing financial and technical support to Western Balkans SMEs and intermediaries. Direct peer in mission (SME growth, EU integration support) and structurally similar as a foundation operating across the same geography.
• Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM): Skopje-based independent think tank focused on EU integration, policy analysis, and capacity building in North Macedonia. Closest direct peer given shared geography, similar non-profit status, and overlapping research/advisory/policy work targeting EU accession.
• Institute for Democracy Societas Civilis - Skopje: Skopje-based civil society think tank working on democracy, EU integration, and policy research in North Macedonia. Direct peer in geography, non-profit status, and EU accession-focused research/advisory delivery.

Others

• EURADA (European Association of Development Agencies): European network of regional and local development agencies supporting SME growth, innovation, and territorial development. Comparable as an ecosystem-level actor in EU-funded SME and innovation support, with overlapping partnerships (EEN, EIT, regional authorities).

Broad incumbents

• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): German federal development agency active across the Western Balkans delivering EU-funded capacity building, SME support, and policy advisory. Larger, broader incumbent in the same operational space; often a coordinator or co-partner in consortia where MIR is also a partner.
• Regional Cooperation Council (RCC): Sarajevo-based intergovernmental body coordinating regional cooperation and EU integration across the Western Balkans. Broader incumbent operating in the same policy and capacity-building space; often co-funds or convenes projects where MIR participates.

Regional players

• Foundation for Civil Society (Serbia): Belgrade-based foundation providing grants and capacity building to civil society and social enterprises across the Western Balkans. Comparable as a regional non-profit foundation, with overlapping thematic focus on social cohesion, gender, and EU-funded programme delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCKpJ1aBv4BE83e-ZuJKq_Wg
• Facebookfacebook.com/MIRFoundationmk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/foundation-for-management-and-industrial-research

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments1 record

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Frequently asked questions about Mir Foundation