September Wrap-Up
Welcome to the September edition of InnovX Wrap-Up! This month, were thrilled to share some of the remarkable advancements and initiatives happening at InnovX. Our team has been hard at work, and were excited to highlight some of our key achievements and upcoming projects.
InnovX Insights??
A Stellar Start to the MoonShotX Program!????
We are beyond excited to have officially kicked off the MoonShotX Program with a truly unforgettable launch event! ?? Massive thanks to our incredible line-up of speakers who inspired us with their visionary insights and game-changing ideas.
Special shoutout to Zdenek Romanek , President & CEO of Raiffeisen Bank Romania , Cristian Marius Sporis , Vice President & Head of Corporate Banking at Raiffeisen Bank Romania , David Popovici, Olympic Champion, Giles Portman , UK Ambassador to Romania, Maximilian Schausberger , Managing Director at Elevator Ventures , Marian Dinu , Managing Partner at DLA Piper , Alina Irma O. , Senior Director at 微软 , Laura Mihaila , Director of Marketing & CX at Raiffeisen Bank Romania , Sorin Suciu , Executive Director at Raiffeisen Bank Romania and Ana Bobirca , MoonShotX Program Manager and CIO at InnovX .
We also had the privilege of hearing from Akos Koeszegvary of UNIDO through a special video message. ???
A big thank you goes to Cristian Hostiuc and Ziarul Financiar for helping to amplify our event’s impact. Your continued support is invaluable!
This event was a fantastic start to the MoonShotX Program, filled with inspiring discussions that have set a bold path for innovation and growth. We're eager to watch the progress of the amazing companies in the program, such as: htss , Restart Energy , Alumil Romania , WALDEVAR , RAP Group , MASTERBUILD - General Contractor , Euro Team Gb Spedition , Depozit Virtual , RebelDot , Ivatherm , Bento - Intellectually Curious , Softia , Hydrosystems SRL , Eco Garden Construct | Sustainable Landscaping Management , Safetech Innovations , Essensys Software , GRAPHEIN , Lasting Software , SmartWrap Romania , CODE932 , ASCENDIA S.A. and Zaleco ??
To everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, especially the MoonShotX Team, we are so grateful for your hard work and dedication in making this event a huge success. ??
Missed the event? No worries, you can catch the live recording and check out the full press release here.
Here’s to a future filled with innovation, collaboration, and scaling new heights with MoonShotX! ????
InnovX European Program – Autumn Edition: A Successful Milestone for Innovation
The InnovX European Program's Autumn Edition wrapped up successfully, featuring two critical phases: Acceleration and Matchmaking. This initiative brought together a diverse group of pioneering startups, creating a unique platform for growth and collaboration.
Acceleration Phase:
Participating companies, including innovative players like: CASIS - CArdiac Simulation & Imaging Software , CO2BioClean GmbH , Apollo Technologies Inc. , Nifty Learning , Alias Robotics , Vessel X , Safeflows , Renter? , Aquaai Corporation , Cybervize , DRSSR , eFrontiers , Irisphera , Syswin Solutions , Hydrovolta , E. Sam Jones Lighting & Energy Solutions , The Chemistry Solutions Company trading as WaterLab on Main , ISCLEANAIR , and Anywhere Healing engaged in workshops led by tech giants IBM, Microsoft, and Google.
They explored future technology trends and participated in pitch preparation sessions designed to refine their strategies for investors and corporate clients.
Matchmaking Phase:
From September 24th to 26th, the Matchmaking Phase provided the companies with the opportunity to pitch their solutions across three key areas: Investors, Corporate Clients, and Entering New Markets. The program connected them with investors such as cleverage.vc , Growceanu and Impact Ventures , and corporate partners like Affidea , BCR and OMV Petrom . In addition, representatives from the UK, US, and Japanese embassies facilitated sessions on expanding into new markets, providing critical insights for scaling globally.
This program served as a powerful springboard for startups, enabling them to establish valuable connections and explore new growth avenues. Stay tuned as InnovX continues to support innovation across the region!
Daniel Dumitrescu Represents InnovX at "Financing Net-Zero Transition" Event
Daniel Dumitrescu, PhD. , CIO at InnovX , participated in the "Financing Net-Zero Transition" event hosted by the British Romanian Chamber of Commerce (BRCC). The event focused on Romania’s potential to lead sustainability initiatives in Europe, featuring keynote addresses from ?mer Tetik , CEO of BT and Shajjad Rizvi MBE , Honorary Prosperity Consul at the British Embassy in Bucharest .
The event included two informative panels: one on Non-Financial Reporting (CSRD) and EU Taxonomy Alignment, and another discussing Transition Plans to Net Zero. Panelists included experts from organizations like ACCA Southern Europe, E.ON Romania, and EY Romania.
Panel 1: Non-Financial Reporting (CSRD) and EU Taxonomy Alignment
?? Andreia Stanciu(ACCA Southern Europe)?? Gabriela F. (INAQ Consulting) ?? Alexandru Stanean (TeraPlast)?? Mariana Coman (Tenaris)?? Gaetano Casale (EY Romania)
Panel 2: Transition Plans to Net Zero
?? Daniel Sologon (CEMACON) ?? Mihnea Zamfir (E.ON Romania) ?? Alina Vasile-Floroaie (The Climate School) ?? Teofil Muresan (E-Infra Group)
During his presentation, Dumitrescu highlighted InnovX’s collaborations with UNIDO and the European Innovation Council, showcasing startups from InnovX’s accelerator programs that address ESG and SDG challenges, significantly impacting sustainable business practices.
The discussions underscored the growing importance of ESG as a catalyst for growth and leadership in Romania. A special thanks to Madalina Ciinaru for the invitation, enabling InnovX to contribute to this vital conversation on sustainability.
Nearshoring into CEE – A Strategic Shift for Global Supply Chains
Anca Luca , Chief Growth Officer at InnovX , recently took part in the “Nearshoring into CEE – A New Business Strategy for International Businesses” conference, organized by DLA Piper Poland in Warsaw. This event focused on the strategic importance of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) for global supply chains and how the region is becoming a prime destination for high-tech manufacturing, real estate, and energy investments.
Key speakers included:
The event featured insightful panel discussions:
This conference reaffirmed the growing role of CEE in global supply chains, positioning it as a key player in nearshoring and innovation. InnovX is excited to collaborate furtherly with DLA Piper and other partners in supporting sustainable, resilient supply chains in the region.
Fiesta Night at InnovX Hub ????
What an unforgettable evening we had at the InnovX Hub on September 12th! ?? Our Fiesta-themed party brought together energy, innovation, and fun, all under one roof. From networking to lively celebrations, it was the perfect way to connect and enjoy time with our vibrant community. ???
We kicked things off with an inspiring round of updates from our community members. A special thank you to Anca Luca , our Chief Growth Officer, for sharing invaluable insights from her experience at Colombia Tech Week . We were also wowed by Andrei Cretu , co-founder of Pluria , who shared his journey of successfully launching in the Latin American market. ????
Then, the fiesta truly came alive! ???? With dance lessons led by the one and only Wilmark Rizzo Hernandez , we hit the dance floor in style. A massive shoutout to Chef Aimen Aldahash , who kept the energy high with his mouthwatering culinary creations. ???? And, of course, our talented DJ made sure the beats kept everyone moving well into the night! ????
We’re incredibly grateful to Hotspot for hosting this incredible event and to Tudor Popp for his steadfast support in making it all possible. ??
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this fantastic celebration! We can’t wait to see you at the next InnovX event! ????
New InnovX Website Feature Showcases Alumni Growth
InnovX has launched a new feature on our website designed to highlight the exceptional companies that have been part of our accelerator programs. This update aims to provide a comprehensive overview of each company’s achievements, showcasing their growth and success since joining InnovX.
To ensure the most accurate representation, we’re inviting alumni to share their current turnover figures with us. This will allow us to highlight your business journey and accomplishments on our platform.
Take a look at the updated feature on our website, where you can see how other companies are being showcased. Thank you Pacuraru Macedoniu-Nicolae for making this feature possible!
?? Welcome Aboard, Nicoleta Staicu! ??
We are thrilled to announce that Nicoleta Staicu has joined the InnovX team as our newest Junior Software Engineer! With her fresh energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to continuous learning, Nicoleta is set to make a significant impact on our innovative projects.
We are confident that her skills and passion will be a valuable addition to our team. Welcome aboard, Nicoleta! Together, let’s create something extraordinary! ???
??Community Spotlight
Boosting Production Efficiency!
TRISTAR STEEL SRL , a leader in metal processing, achieved a remarkable 20% boost in production efficiency within just three months by implementing the KFactory? platform!
As specialists in digitalizing metal processing companies, KFactory provided a tailored solution fully integrated with Tristar's ERP system, ensuring seamless data flow. The deployment of the platform was completed in just one month, showcasing KFactory's commitment to rapid and efficient implementations.
The KFactory platform enables real-time visibility and automatic data collection, optimizing production processes and enhancing decision-making.
A big thank you to the Tristar team for their excellent collaboration and trust in KFactory.
Read the full story to discover how KFactory is transforming production efficiency in the metal processing industry! ??
?? Exciting Updates from Cyscale! ??
Ovidiu Cical , Co-Founder at Cyscale , recently shared an inspiring journey of growth. A few years ago, a small team from Central and Eastern Europe raised a blazing-fast pre-seed round in just a few hours. Fast forward to today, Cyscale proudly boasts a robust network of partners and customers worldwide who trust the platform for their cloud security needs, including Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) and Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP).
A big thank you to SeedBlink and the investor community for their invaluable support in this incredible journey! ???? Read more here!
The Future of SaaS and AI is Here! ????
?? QuickLegal is thrilled to announce that they are one of the top 10 finalists in the World Pitch Contest: SaaS/AI Edition! ??
These startups are pushing the boundaries of technology, shaping the future of B2B, and redefining what’s possible with SaaS and AI solutions. QuickLegal is excited to showcase their innovative approach and compete among such talented finalists. Best of luck to all as they take this stage! ??
EazyChain Selected for Young Founders Program by Westerwelle Foundation
?? Wilfried Dabire , Founder and CEO at Eazy Chain,Inc. , has been selected as one of the top 10 founders for the Young Founders Program by the Westerwelle Foundation ! ??
This exclusive 6-month program chose 25 candidates from over 5,000 applications across Asia, America, and Africa, and Wilfried is honoured to be part of this distinguished cohort. During this incubation period, he looks forward to an incredible learning experience supported by the dedication of the entire EazyChain team.
As the journey unfolds, he anticipates a meeting next year in Berlin with other inspiring founders. This opportunity marks a significant milestone in Wilfried's entrepreneurial journey, pushing boundaries and shaping a brighter future! ???
ZIM Connections Takes the Stage at Connected Britain
Exciting times at #ConnectedBritain! ZIM Connections had the honour of pitching on stage, showcasing their innovative B2B solutions to a captivated audience. ?? Their team also set up an impressive booth, highlighting how they help businesses reduce roaming costs and maintain global connectivity with cutting-edge eSIM technology.
Fagura Participates in Diaspora Invest Event in Madrid
Fagura took part in the DIASPORA INVEST event in Madrid, organized by the Invest Moldova Agency, which brings together the diaspora to explore investment opportunities at home! ??
The team was thrilled to reconnect with the investor community and discover homegrown businesses developed with dedication, including resources and investments from abroad!
Data Privacy Manager Secures Investment from Vesna Deep Tech Venture Fund
Legit has secured a €650,000 investment from Vesna deep tech Venture Fund , marking their first investment in Croatia! ?? This significant boost will enhance the Data Privacy Manager platform and strengthen its mission to provide state-of-the-art solutions in privacy and personal data protection.
With AI-powered innovations at the core, Legit helps businesses navigate the complexities of personal data management. This investment will elevate Data Privacy Manager to new heights, continuing its leadership in data privacy innovation.
CEO Marijan Bra?i? expressed that privacy and personal data protection have become top priorities in the tech industry. The investment from Vesna Deeptech VC Fund provides a tremendous opportunity to advance their solutions further. He emphasized the pride in the partnership that will enhance their technology and deliver innovative privacy protection solutions to the global market.
A Successful Visit to Carfix App
Carfix App recently welcomed a visit from the GT Motive UK International team in Bucharest, strengthening their partnership of over 10 years. ??
During the two-day visit, the Carfix team engaged in discussions about the growth of the insurance and automotive industries in Romania, a clear example of the strong trends in this thriving market. Key clients were visited, and opportunities to tackle challenges for sustained growth were explored, reinforcing their solid partnership.
At GT Motive International, the focus on Transformation, Digitalization, Value Creation, and Data Reliability aligns perfectly with Carfix's mission, highlighting the value of their collaboration in Romania.
Partners Pulse??
Congratulations to Roumen Jordanov! ??
We are thrilled to share some exciting news! Our esteemed mentor, Roumen Jordanov , has been promoted to the position of Principal at BrightCap Ventures , one of our valued partners. ?? Roumen has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the leadership team for their unwavering support and to his incredible colleagues at BrightCap for their dedication and collaboration.
Please join us in congratulating Roumen on this well-deserved promotion and wishing him continued success in his new role! ????
?? Exciting Partnership Announcement! ??
We are thrilled to share our new partnership with ff Venture Capital , a globally recognized venture capital firm renowned for driving innovation in emerging industries. With a strong focus on Enterprise Software, Industrial Tech, and Sustainable Transformation, ffVC has been at the forefront of seed-stage investments for over 15 years.
ffVC is dedicated to empowering visionary founders and diverse teams right from the earliest stages of company formation, often leading investment rounds and providing invaluable operational expertise. This collaboration aligns perfectly with InnovX’s mission to foster groundbreaking projects and support innovative entrepreneurs.
With ffVC’s support, we look forward to exploring new opportunities and embarking on transformative projects that will shape the future. A special thank you to Masayuki Ohta for their collaboration as we kick off this exciting journey together! ????
?? The Microsoft Experience Zone has officially opened at the IBM Client Innovation Center in Bucharest! ??
Bogdan Putinica , one of of mentors and General Manager at 微软 Central Europe and Baltics, attended the launch alongside Cerasela Baiculescu , General Manager for IBM Romania and Moldova and John Granger , Chairman of IBM Consulting. This new space offers Romanian clients the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge Microsoft technologies.
Clients can collaborate with expert teams from IBM and Microsoft to explore and co-create solutions utilizing generative AI and hybrid cloud, tailored to address their unique business challenges.
A great congratulations to both teams for their dedication and on this global partnership brought to life in Romania—an excellent demonstration of market and human talent potential! ??
For more insights, check out the full story here: https://lnkd.in/dR2UqmJD
InnovX Podcast???
InnovX Podcast: Season 2 Launch! ?????
We are thrilled to announce that Season 2 of the InnovX Podcast is now live! ?? Episode 1 has officially dropped, and you can watch it here: Episode 1.
This season kicks off with an exciting conversation featuring Anna Wieslander , COO at Elonroad . In this episode, moderated by Adrian S. from Hi-Tech Decoder , we delve into the future of sustainable transport solutions. ??? Anna shares her insights on how Elonroad is revolutionizing electric vehicle infrastructure and reshaping urban planning, paving the way for greener commutes.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable perspectives on innovation and sustainability and discover how technology is changing the way we travel. Be sure to watch the full episode now! ???
Innovation Across Borders??
AmCham Romania Organizes U.S. Business Mission for Tech Companies
The American Chamber of Commerce in Romania ( AmCham Romania ) is organizing a business mission to the United States, scheduled from October 20th to 26th, 2024. This delegation is aimed at Romanian companies in the technology and tech manufacturing sectors, as well as those in complementary industries.
The mission’s goal is to explore opportunities for Romanian companies to expand into the U.S. market, establish partnerships, and gain valuable insights into future trends and changes in the American private sector that are expected to shape global economies over the next decade.
The program will include meetings with public and private organizations, academic institutions, and state authorities. The delegation will also visit the headquarters of major American companies in Phoenix and New York City, providing a unique opportunity to engage with key industry players. Additional details are available of the delegation platform. Interested companies are encouraged to contact Manuel-Iulian Cazac , U.S. Relations Manager – AmCham Romania, at [email protected]
BRCC Hosts Healthcare Forward: Shaping Tomorrow’s Solutions
The British Romanian Chamber of Commerce (BRCC) invites you to the 3rd edition of Healthcare Forward: Shaping Tomorrow’s Solutions on October 22nd at JW Marriott Bucharest. This year’s conference will explore the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, focusing on patient care innovations and sustainability initiatives.
The event will feature two expert panels: Advancing the Digital Healthcare Ecosystem and Delivering Healthcare Programs Sustainably. Confirmed speakers include healthcare leaders such as Assoc. Prof. Ana Maria Cristina ?ancu from “Carol Davila” University, Valentin Florin Ciocan, President of the National Authority for Quality Management in Health, and Dr. Ionut Adrian Leahu , CEO of Regina Maria Dental Clinics.
The conference provides a unique opportunity for both members and non-members to engage in insightful discussions and network with fellow industry leaders. Register here!
?? TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 in San Francisco! ??
Mark your calendars for TechCrunch Disrupt 2024, taking place from October 28 – 30 in San Francisco! This premier event is your gateway to innovation at every stage of your start-up journey.
Whether you’re an emerging founder with a ground-breaking idea, a start-up ready to scale, or an investor on the lookout for the next big opportunity, Disrupt provides unparalleled resources, connections, and expert insights to accelerate your venture.
Join 10,000 Start-up and VC Leaders Disrupt is the must-attend event for networking with founders, investors, and industry experts. Whether you’re seeking advice, exploring new opportunities, or looking for your next career move, this is your chance to connect with the right people in person.
Find Fresh Industry Insights From scaling teams and mastering sales to engaging with investors and tech leaders, Disrupt offers essential sessions and roundtables to help you build and grow your business faster.
Gain Insights from Tech Pioneers Learn from seasoned founders and tech titans as they share their experiences, best practices, and actionable tips to help you navigate and succeed in your own start-up journey.
??? Secure your spot today: Register Here
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to propel your start-up forward!
BRCC and Regina Maria Host Event on Employee Wellbeing and Productivity
On October 31st, the British Romanian Chamber of Commerce (BRCC) and Regina Maria, Reteaua de sanatate will host an event focused on The Role of Employee Wellbeing in Increasing Productivity and Building Healthy Companies. The event will take place at Miro Offices, Bucharest.
In today’s demanding work environments, employee health and wellbeing are essential drivers of company success. Healthy employees lead to higher productivity, engagement, and overall business performance. This multidisciplinary panel will explore challenges in promoting employee wellbeing and offer strategies to improve both physical and mental health within organizations.
Expert insights from Regina Maria specialists will provide valuable data from occupational health reports, focusing on common workplace health concerns. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with other business leaders.
Join us for this informative session and learn how investing in employee wellbeing can strengthen your company.
?? Upcoming: IMPACT FESTIVAL 2024 – A Premier Event for Investors and GreenTech Start-Ups!
Attention investors! Prepare for another exciting year of the IMPACT FESTIVAL , where ground-breaking start-ups will showcase their innovations, and the Investor Conference & Program promises unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and investment.
This year’s Impact Investor Conference & Program will be held on October 31 at Messe Frankfurt, and it’s set to be bigger and better than ever! We’re expecting over 250 investors for a full day of engaging stage sessions and networking opportunities in an exclusive setting.
Join us to hear from esteemed speakers including Tim Schumacher , Tina Dreimann , Prof. Dr. Martin R. Stuchtey , Xavier Sarras and Isabelle Canu.
Key topics will include:
??? Don’t miss out – secure your ticket now: Get Your Tickets
?? Web Summit 2024 in Lisbon! ??
Get ready for Web Summit 2024, the premier tech conference where innovation meets industry leaders! Join us from November 11 – 14, 2024, at the MEO Arena in Lisbon for an incredible gathering of over 70,000 attendees.
What is Web Summit? POLITICO calls it “the world’s premier tech conference,” while The Atlantic describes it as “where the future goes to be born.” The New York Times notes it as a “grand conclave of the tech industry’s high priests.”
In these uncertain times, Web Summit brings together policymakers, heads of state, and the founders and CEOs of tech companies and fast-growing startups to explore the future of technology.
Event Highlights:
?? Dates: November 11 – 14, 2024 ?? Location: MEO Arena, Lisbon
??? Book your tickets here: Web Summit Tickets
Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this transformative event that will shape the future of technology!
Tech Horizon??
Vsim Secures $21.5M to Enhance Robot Training Technology
UK-based simulation startup Vsim has raised $21.5 million in a seed round led by EQT Ventures , with participation from several notable investors, including Samsung Next and IQ Capital. This funding follows a pre-seed round secured in 2023 and will enable Vsim to expand its talented team while developing a comprehensive robotics solution.
Vsim aims to address two critical challenges in simulation training: the speed of training completion and the scalability of technology for diverse use cases. By allowing simulations to be conducted in minutes rather than days, Vsim ensures high-quality results without compromising performance.
Founded in 2022 by ex- 英伟达 engineers Michelle Lu and Kier Storey , Vsim employs advanced algorithms to enhance physics simulations across various industries, including robotics and gaming. The startup's end-to-end reinforcement training framework promises a significant 100x speed improvement in training performance.
Co-Founder and CEO Michelle Lu expressed enthusiasm for the funding, stating it marks a pivotal moment for Vsim and aligns with their mission to revolutionize robotics simulation through cutting-edge technology.
BlackRock and Microsoft Launch $30B AI Data Centre Fund
BlackRock is set to launch a $30 billion AI-focused fund in collaboration with 微软 and Abu Dhabi-backed MGX , according to reports from the Financial Times . 英伟达 will provide its expertise in AI technology for this initiative.
The fund, dubbed the Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership, aims to address the growing energy demands of AI, which are projected to increase significantly. A recent Goldman Sachs report highlighted that global data centres currently consume 1-2% of total power, with forecasts suggesting this could rise to 3-4% by 2029 due to the expanding use of energy-intensive AI services.
The partnership has the potential to mobilize up to $100 billion in total investment, including loans. The focus will be on enhancing AI supply chains and energy sourcing by investing in infrastructure to build data centres and energy projects, crucial for supporting the processing power needed for deep learning and large-scale data processing.
While most investments will be directed toward the United States, a portion will also support partner nations.
??As September came to an end, we reflect on the dynamic events and milestones achieved within the InnovX community and beyond. From ground-breaking partnerships to international conferences and innovative initiatives, this month has been a testament to the resilience and creativity of entrepreneurs and innovators worldwide. Thank you to all our partners, alumni, and supporters for your continued dedication and enthusiasm. Together, we are shaping the future of innovation and entrepreneurship. Here's to a month filled with achievements and a future brimming with endless possibilities.
?? InnovX has come a long way since starting as a small business accelerator in Romania in 2019. We've scaled over 350 innovators across Europe, driven by a relentless focus on results. Today, we are proud to be recognized by the Financial Times , Statista and Sifted as a top startup hub in Europe, ranked #1 in Eastern Europe!?? Watch here a video What is InnovX about to get an insight into our world?? : https://lnkd.in/d2yRUqGD