Croatia's 'Sandbox PutNaTržište' program aids SMEs in accessing capital‑market financing

The Ministry of Finance, the Croatian Employers' Association (HUP) and the Financial Services Supervisory Agency (HANFA) have launched the “Sandbox PutNaTržište” programme to improve financial literacy and expand access to capital for small and medium‑sized enterprises in Croatia. Senior economist Hrvoje Stojić highlighted that while capital availability is at a historic high, most firms still rely on bank loans and lack awareness of alternative funding such as venture‑capital funds.

The sandbox offers companies a free, no‑obligation assessment of their readiness for market‑based financing. Participants present their business plans, receive an analysis of financial statements, organisational structure and reporting quality, and obtain a clear picture of which investors would find them attractive. The programme helps firms identify gaps—whether in process clarity, strategy definition or investor‑facing documentation—before seeking venture capital, bond issuance or a future stock‑exchange listing. By providing this structured overview, the initiative aims to bridge the information gap and encourage the use of risk‑capital sources for growth and innovation.