UnicornQuest | NWRDA's Strategic Meeting

Mr. Laviniu Chis, Head of the Regional Development Department of NW RDA, set the stage for a significant gathering aimed at fostering unicorn startups in Romania. Joined by Ms. Alexandra Catana and Mr. Marian Alca, the meeting began with an insightful presentation outlining the project's objectives, consortium, and activities.

Participants were urged to actively engage in tackling the challenges hindering potential unicorns in Romania, including regulatory barriers, talent retention, and access to finance. Under the adept moderation of Mrs. Ioana Dragos, discussions revolved around funding opportunities, support services, and grants for startups/SMEs in the North-West region.

Key initiatives highlighted during the meeting included:

• World Bank Funded Programs: The "Research Valorization" 2.0 Programme facilitated technological advancements by supporting researchers to bring their products/services to market.
• INNO Platform Acceleration Programs: Initiatives like StartUp LevelUp and LevelUP Health & Life Sciences Accelerator provided educational and practical support for aspiring entrepreneurs in the fields of health and life sciences.
• Horizon 2020 Accelerator Programs: Projects such as MIND4MACHINES and ADMA TranS4Mers offered grants and expertise to companies, aiming to enhance competitiveness through automation and digital skills development.
• North-West Regional Programme 2021-2027: With a substantial budget, this program will finance interventions across various sectors including smart skills, innovation, digitization, and urban regeneration.

Looking ahead, stakeholders are poised to actively contribute to the project's implementation through ongoing communication and collaboration. As NW RDA spearheads efforts to empower potential unicorns, the Romanian startup ecosystem stands primed for growth and innovation.