Venture in Eastern Europe: Romania is becoming an emerging hub for venture capital

On October 1, 2024, the “Venture in Eastern Europe” event took place as part of the How to Web conference, bringing together over 200 investors from Europe and the international business community.

This event was dedicated to generating investment opportunities and facilitating discussions on the current state of venture capital investments in Eastern Europe. It gathered representatives from major European funds such as the European Innovation Council, EBRD, European Investment Fund, NATO Innovation Fund, as well as emerging CVC (Corporate Venture Capital) funds, like BCR Seed Starter, Romania’s first corporate venture capital company launched by a bank, alongside thought leaders from venture capital firms such as Creandum, BrightCap Ventures, Underline Ventures, or Earlybird Digital East.

A forum dedicated to investment opportunities

Venture in Eastern Europe provided a platform for discussions focused on the fluctuations in the local venture capital market. The event explored various strategies and trends, including the growing interest from venture capital funds, which are increasingly active in supporting local innovation. The collaboration between the public and private sectors was highlighted as a key element for driving the region’s economic development.

Adrian Rosoaga, Chief Investment Officer at BCR Seed Starter, stated: “I’m very optimistic about the future of venture capital investments in Romania. We are seeing a lot of talented and bold founders here, with many opportunities for venture capital funding. Additionally, we need more success stories, which will likely emerge in the coming years, further increasing investors’ appetite to seek opportunities in Romania.”

The conclusions from the event pointed toward an optimistic outlook for the future of these types of investments:

• Increase in investment opportunities: Participants emphasized Romania’s potential as a magnet for international investors due to local talent and emerging initiatives, such as these new types of funds.
• Collaborations between international funds and local entrepreneurs: Interactions between major investors and local founders underscored the importance of forming strategic partnerships to foster innovation.
• Sustainability and diversification: Discussions highlighted the need for investors to adopt diversified strategies to navigate market challenges and take advantage of emerging trends such as AI technology.

Promising opportunities for Romania and the region

Camelia Dragoi, Senior Mandate Manager at the European Investment Fund (EIF), highlighted that fund managers surveyed by the EIF remain optimistic about their fundraising and exit prospects, reaffirming confidence in the continued growth of the venture capital ecosystem in Romania.

Venture in Eastern Europe is a unique event, part of the How to Web conference, bringing together the most influential decision-makers in the venture capital field. As a result of this event, Romania is positioning itself as a central point of interest for investors, strengthening its status as an emerging hub for innovation and development.

Andreas Munk Holm, founder of the largest European venture capital media publication, EU.VC, added: “The tech scene in Eastern Europe has been deeply enriched by the success of UiPath, which has generated many serial entrepreneurs. Eastern Europe has become extremely attractive to investors, being an ecosystem on the verge of producing groundbreaking innovations.”

Staffan Helgesson, General Partner at Creandum, emphasized the potential of Eastern European tech teams, stating: “There are many technical teams in Eastern Europe, and the current trend surrounding artificial intelligence could give them the ability to innovate.”

This event also facilitates collaboration between investors and entrepreneurs, providing a platform for innovation and sustainability. The measures discussed during the event suggest that Romania has all the necessary ingredients to become a leader in technology and innovation in Eastern Europe, as well as a notable presence in Europe.

These discussions and connections can have a direct impact on the local ecosystem, driving an increasing number of investments in start-ups and emerging companies, which will, in turn, contribute to the region’s economic development. How to Web Conference, along with Venture in Eastern Europe event, puts Romania on the map of international investments and increases investor attention to this region.

The Venture in Eastern Europe event is organized by How to Web, powered by BCR Seed Starter, the first corporate venture capital company launched by a bank in Romania. The event is supported by EIF, Earlybird Digital East, and Underline Ventures.