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Tunisia Startup Act | MsingiLab

GovernmentGrantOpen

Tunisia Startup Act

TND 1,496/month founder salary (Year 1) + tax exemptions + access to Fund of Funds ($113.6M ANAVA targeting 230 startups by 2027)

RollingWebsiteEst. 2018

Moderate Gender LensModerate Climate Lens

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What You Get

Startup Label: legal recognition with 20 incentive measures

1-year paid sabbatical for employee-founders transitioning to entrepreneurship

Government salary top-up for up to 3 co-founders during first year (~TND 1,496/month)

Corporate tax exemption for labeled startups

Patent cost coverage

Foreign exchange freedom

Simplified incorporation process

Access to ANAVA Fund of Funds ($113.6M targeting 230 startups by 2027)

Access to InnovaTech fund ($47.7M bridging startups to scaleups)

10 active child investment funds for seed to late stage

SOTUGAR guarantee program for investors

Tax advantages for investors in labeled startups

Startup Act 2.0 (2023): internationalization support, foreign partnerships, global funding access

How to Apply

Register at portail.startup.gov.tn/register to submit a startup labeling request. Process takes 4-8 weeks. FAQ at support.startup.gov.tn.

Warm Intro

Recommended but not required

Geographic Focus

Tunisia

Decision Timeline

4-8 weeks for labeling decision

Eligibility

Business less than 8 years old
Fewer than 100 employees
More than two-thirds of shareholders must be founders
Must demonstrate innovation and scalability
Must be registered/incorporated in Tunisia
Tunisian or Tunisia-based entrepreneur

Traction Required

Innovative startup willing to register under Startup Act; must meet age, size, and ownership criteria

Team Requirements

Tunisian or Tunisia-based entrepreneur; founders must hold >2/3 of shares

Selection Criteria

Degree of innovation in business model or technology
Scalability potential
Stage of creation (less than 8 years)
Founder ownership structure (>2/3 founders)

What They Look For

Africa's first comprehensive startup legislation (Law No. 2018-20, April 17, 2018). The Startup Act provides a legal framework with 20 incentive measures for innovative startups in Tunisia. Over 1,165 startups have been awarded the label, achieving $300M+ in cumulative sales. Updated with Startup Act 2.0 in 2023 focusing on internationalization. Model legislation that inspired Nigeria's Startup Act and others.

Post-Investment Support

Government incentives, tax exemptions, forex freedom, access to startup ecosystem events, regional roadshows, internationalization support (Startup Act 2.0)

Red Flags to Watch

Tunisia-only. Benefits depend on obtaining the startup label. Government bureaucracy may slow process. Primarily relevant for Tunisia-based or Tunisia-incorporated startups.

Insider Tip

Africa's FIRST startup act (2018), now a model for the continent. Get labeled for: paid sabbatical, tax exemptions, forex freedom, and access to $113.6M ANAVA Fund of Funds. 1,165+ labeled startups. Startup Act 2.0 (2023) added internationalization support. Tunisia's ecosystem grew 15.3% in 2025.

2018

Active Since

Yes

Deploying

Notable Investments

1,165+ labeled Tunisian startups; $300M+ cumulative sales; ANAVA Fund of Funds ($113.6M); InnovaTech ($47.7M)