The eYou platform, a Romania-based social media startup currently in pre-launch, aims to become a European alternative to traditional networks, focusing on algorithm transparency, user control over feeds, and AI-powered fact-checking. The project has raised €300,000 in pre-seed funding from Fil Rouge Capital and has already attracted over 10,000 sign-ups on its first day.

Founded by Jasseem Allybokus and Grégoire Vigroux, two French entrepreneurs based in Romania, eYou positions itself as a “trust-by-design” platform in contrast to global players like Facebook and X.

At the core of the product is a real-time fact-checking feature integrated directly into the user experience. With a single click, users can access AI-generated assessments of posts, based on credible and neutral sources, enabling them to verify claims without interrupting the flow of conversation.

The platform also introduces a transparent recommendation system, allowing users to view and adjust the profile built about them. This gives users direct control over the signals shaping their feed and the option to diversify content exposure beyond algorithm-driven echo chambers.

Built in Europe and aligned with strict data protection standards, eYou enters a market increasingly concerned with misinformation, platform accountability, and the dominance of non-European tech giants.

The public launch is scheduled for May 2026. Until then, users can join the waitlist and secure early access at: eyou.social.

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Techsylvania, one of Eastern Europe’s leading tech and business conferences, announces the launch of its 2026 edition. The event will take place on June 24–25, 2026, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, bringing together thousands of innovators, entrepreneurs, executives, and technology enthusiasts from around the world.

With every edition, Techsylvania strengthens its position as a catalyst for innovation and a powerful platform where global leaders share groundbreaking ideas, emerging startups gain visibility, and meaningful business relationships begin. The 2026 edition promises an elevated experience focused on the future of technology, product building, artificial intelligence, business growth, and the global innovation landscape.

What Awaits You at Techsylvania 2026

Attendees can expect the signature Techsylvania experience:

Visionary Perspectives: Global industry leaders will take the stage to explore the trends shaping the next decade—from AI and emerging technologies to the intersection of business, innovation, and society.

Hands-on Workshops: Expert-led practical sessions designed to help professionals sharpen their skills in areas such as engineering, AI, product strategy, leadership, and data.

Startup Alley: Startup-focused events, exclusive pitching opportunities, and curated interactions with international investors and mentors.

Premium Networking: Curated spaces including the B2B Matchmaking Area, Executive Lounge, and invite-only gatherings that foster strategic connections between leaders, founders, and top-level professionals.

Interactive Experiences: Technology showcases and installations highlighting cutting-edge products, tools, and emerging technologies.

First Confirmed Speakers Announced

Techsylvania 2026 has already confirmed its first international speakers, bringing together founders, investors, and operators shaping the future of technology and business.

Among them are Andrei Șerban, Founder & CEO of Console, an AI-native platform backed by Thrive Capital and DST Global; Sam Lipoff, Partner at Liminal, the venture studio and fund founded by Temasek Holdings; and Sheel Mohnot, Co-Founder & General Partner at Better Tomorrow Ventures, a leading seed-stage fintech fund.

These early confirmations set the tone for a high-impact lineup focused on applied technology, AI, and real-world business insights.

Strategic Partnership Announcement

Techsylvania 2026 is proud to welcome Super Technologies as the Strategic Partner for this year’s edition.

As a fast-growing company in the global technology and entertainment space, Super Technologies shares Techsylvania’s vision of driving progress through technology, entrepreneurship, and bold thinking. This partnership further strengthens the event’s mission to create meaningful connections between global leaders, innovative companies, and the next generation of community builders.

A New Chapter for Eastern Europe’s Innovation Landscape

Techsylvania 2026 marks an important moment in positioning Eastern Europe as a rising force in global technology and business. The event continues to attract a diverse audience of engineers, founders, executives, investors, corporate innovators, and community builders from more than 30 countries.

Additional speakers, partners, and special initiatives for the 2026 edition will be announced in the coming weeks.

More information and updates on techsylvania.com.

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On June 17–18, 2026, Oradea will host the fifth edition of UNCHAIN Festival, one of the leading finance and technology events in Central and Eastern Europe. The organizers expect more than 800 senior leaders from over 40 countries, including representatives from banks, fintech companies, regulators, payment networks, and technology providers.

This year’s focus is on closing execution gaps and addressing the structural risks created by legacy infrastructure and rapid AI adoption.

Over the past five years, the financial ecosystem across Central and Eastern Europe has undergone a quiet but profound transformation. What began as an urgent push for digitisation has evolved into a deeper reconfiguration of how finance is built, distributed, and experienced, from the unbundling of legacy banking infrastructure and the rise of embedded finance to the convergence of payments, credit, loyalty, and data-driven decision-making.

Insights gathered across previous editions of UNCHAIN Festival and distilled in its sector whitepapers point to a clear direction: finance in CEE is no longer defined by isolated products or institutions, but by ecosystems. Banks are navigating legacy “spaghetti” infrastructures while experimenting with parallel core systems and AI-driven internal automation. Retailers are moving beyond transactions toward experience-first models where payments, lending, and loyalty blend seamlessly into the customer journey. Meanwhile, fintechs are no longer challengers at the edges, but integral players shaping interfaces, expectations, and speed.

Against this backdrop, UNCHAIN Festival returns to Oradea on 17–18 June 2026, offering unparalleled networking opportunities, exclusive industry insights, and strategic connections for over 800 senior leaders and decision-makers from more than 40 countries. This event marks its 5th anniversary and has evolved into a comprehensive platform that connects financial institutions, regulators, technology providers, and industry leaders at a time when alignment has become a strategic necessity.

“During the first four years of the UNCHAIN Festival, we have seen a lot of international cooperation and merchant integration. Technology combines various verticals even more closely. Many non-banks are now entering the financial services market by offering embedded finance options or loyalty/crypto products to their customers. There are many challenges with regulation, but this is exactly why we’re bringing everybody to the same table – so law can keep up with innovation, and vice versa. Technology adoption, as in digital-first and customer-vertically specialized, continues to develop. Neobanks, digital brokers are getting more and more prolific,” says David Pollack, Managing Partner at UNCHAIN.

From Fintech Disruption to Financial Integration

As geopolitical uncertainty, regulatory pressure, and economic fragmentation continue to test Europe’s resilience, UNCHAIN 2026 positions itself at the intersection of these forces, fostering dialogue around regional integration, trust, and execution. The event aligns with the emerging EU Inc. vision and aims to strengthen Europe’s internal economic cohesion, making it a vital platform for stakeholders committed to regional resilience and innovation.

In its fifth year, UNCHAIN reflects the maturity of the ecosystem it serves. Fintech is no longer a vertical; it is embedded across banking, payments, retail, mobility, and public infrastructure. The 2026 agenda will cover critical topics such as programmable capital markets, embedded financial models beyond checkout, hybrid digital–human banking experiences, and the role of AI as an internal efficiency engine rather than a blunt customer-facing tool.

These discussions build directly on patterns observed over time at UNCHAIN: banks seeking clarity over ownership versus partnership, merchants pushing back against outdated loyalty and cashback mechanics, and regulators grappling with frameworks designed for a world that no longer exists.

Industry Voices on Innovation and Regulation

Erik Barna, Co-Founder of FaraGrija.ro, highlights the growing exchange between banking and insurance: “Insurance is the smallest brother of banking. Instead of borrowing from insurance, banking can inspire innovation in insurtech. Directives like PSD2 boosted fintech startups; we need something similar for insurance.”

Similarly, regulators are navigating new challenges at the intersection of data, AI, and innovation. Ivana Jolic, Director at the Croatian National Bank, explains: “Credit risk AI needs vast data, but GDPR restricts usage. We must find a balance for keeping systems safe while fostering innovation.”

Michal Vodrážka of the Czech National Bank adds: “Instant payments should be the norm without over-reliance on law. We focus on improving existing infrastructure while monitoring developments like the digital euro.”

From the merchant perspective, Ciprian Pîrv, Country Managing Director at Payten, observes: “Merchants want seamless payment methods that are stable and error-free. Innovation drives adoption when it delivers direct benefits and competitive advantage.”

Scale, Continuity, and Regional Relevance

What started as a 350-delegate gathering has grown into one of the most influential financial platforms in the region. Across its previous editions, UNCHAIN has brought together well over 2,000 participants, creating a cumulative, cross-border community of decision-makers shaping the future of finance in CEE.

With approximately 75% of attendees from the financial sector, UNCHAIN has become a reference platform for meaningful, outcome-driven conversations that can shape how finance is understood in CEE.

“The fifth anniversary represents more than just a chronological milestone; it marks a fundamental shift in our regional impact. We are moving beyond the ‘fintech’ label because the challenges of 2026 — liquidity, credit access, and risk management — require a unified ‘Finance’ front. By transitioning from the ‘Fintech Fortress’ to the Finance Fortress, we are inviting the entire spectrum of the financial industry to Oradea to ensure that CEE remains a cohesive, innovative, and resilient economic bloc within the European Union. EU Inc. will definitely be a big topic this year at UNCHAIN“, says David Pollack, Managing Partner at UNCHAIN. 

Reflecting on the momentum behind the 2026 edition, Eliad Saporta, Founder & CEO of Coriunder and long-time UNCHAIN contributor, notes: “What we are seeing across banking and payments is not a race for the next shiny feature, but a recalibration of roles. In 2026, the real competitive advantage will come from institutions that understand context, knowing when to automate, when to intervene, and how to stay visible in the moments that matter most to customers. This is exactly the type of conversation UNCHAIN.”

Mr. Saporta’s contribution at UNCHAIN 2026 will further explore how infrastructure choices, AI governance, and embedded finance models are reshaping short- and medium-term strategies across Europe’s financial institutions.

A Platform for Connection and Execution

Hosted within the historic Oradea Fortress, UNCHAIN 2026 continues to combine strategic content with a highly curated networking environment, offering brands and institutions full exposure to the CEE market in a single setting. The event brings together private-sector leaders alongside central banks, regulators, and global networks such as Visa, reinforcing its role as a bridge between policy, innovation, and real-world execution.

As Central and Eastern Europe moves from catching up to actively shaping Europe’s financial future, UNCHAIN Festival stands as the place where that future is debated, challenged, and built.

Tickets and registration are available here: unchainfestival.com/tickets/.

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With over 50 teams, 40 mentors, and 30 real-world challenges, this year’s Cluj Hackathon, held from May 24–26 2025, pushed boundaries in agentic AI — and made space for some of the brightest young minds in Romania and beyond to shine. The three-day innovation marathon, hosted by Bosch Engineering Center Cluj, drew not only hackers and developers but also investors, accelerators, and founders curious about the next wave of AI-native startups.

Organized by Adrian Vlasiu, the hackathon aimed to harness the power of artificial intelligence to address real-world societal issues. Participants were encouraged to develop AI-driven solutions across various domains, including education, healthcare, and emergency response. The event’s mission was clear: to create impactful technologies that serve the community.

Now in its third edition, Cluj Hackathon has established itself as a consecrated name in the global hackathon scene, recently recognized by the Major League Hacking as one of the top 100 hackathons in the world.

“That kind of recognition validates the quality of our teams, our mentors, and the energy we’ve been building here in Cluj,” said Adrian Vlasiu, the event’s founder and organizer.

The winners? Three radically different teams united by one trait: they built useful, human-centered products with global potential.

First Prize: AI Interior Design Assistant That Understands Your Style

Filip Csibi, a computer science student at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, teamed up with Mark Renner, a theology high school student passionate about computer science and one of the youngest participants of the hackathon, to win first place with a product that turned heads.

Their AI-powered interior design app that helps users visualize room layouts and purchase suggested furniture in a few clicks. Using OpenAI APIs and DALL·E 3, the app generates personalized room visuals and learns user preferences over time. Ideal for people who move often or want quick, affordable design help, the app could soon evolve into a 3D and VR-based design platform.

Despite being just a duo, the team delivered a highly-polished prototype and impressed judges with both technical execution and vision. Filip said the experience reinforced the importance of teamwork — and they are already planning to expand the team for next year’s edition.

Second Prize: A Chatbot to Fix University Bureaucracy

Few things frustrate students more than getting information from university secretariats. Matei Botezat, Bogdan Buruian, Luca Balasoiu and Bogdan Biris, all four computer science students from Babeș-Bolyai University, created a smart fix: a university helper chatbot powered by Google Dialogflow and Cloud Functions.

Their idea? Free up secretaries’ time and reduce student stress by automating answers about scholarships, Erasmus programs, student IDs, and more. Mentorship from experts like Maria and Zoli (Fetch.ai) helped them refine the app’s business potential and prepare it for rollout.

The next step: test a prototype at their own university and explore expanding across campuses via European grants or university consortia. It’s a hyper-local solution with cross-border relevance — and a practical example of AI as administrative glue.

Third Prize: Angel AI — A Calm Voice in an Emergency

From travel panic to cultural misunderstandings, the Angel AI team tackled a universal pain point: what happens when travelers face danger in unfamiliar places? Their AI-powered assistant app aims to provide immediate, culturally aware support in high-stress situations — from medical emergencies to legal trouble or natural disasters.

Originally pitched as a dynamic travel planner, the idea pivoted mid-hackathon to focus on preventive alerts, real-time assistance, and actionable advice in moments of crisis. The team — Cristiana Constantin, Marius Manea and Bogdan Caraeane, all three students at  the University of Bucharest — received key mentorship on shaping their go-to-market strategy and decided to explore white-label partnerships with insurers, travel platforms, or even competitors.

With a rebrand in the works and small features being rolled out to collect traction and data, Angel AI is aiming to become a digital safety net for travelers worldwide.

Mentors: Cluj’s Secret Weapon

Mentors played a critical role in guiding teams toward clarity and viability. One of them, Mo Zidan, highlighted just how far the Cluj tech scene has come, not trying to replicate Silicon Valley, but growing with its own distinct identity.

He was also struck by the confidence and global mindset of young Romanian talent — like the 14-year-old who pitched fluently to a panel of international judges. For Moe, participating as a mentor was a way to “give back” and help build bridges between Cluj and other tech hubs in Eastern Europe and Asia.

“It’s not about copying Berlin or San Francisco. Cluj should link with other rising hubs — places like Prague, Budapest, Jakarta, Seoul. We have the mindset now. And the talent.”

One major evolution at this year’s event? Teams didn’t just use AI as a gimmick — they built AI agents that could act: book transport, send documents, or adapt in real time to changing user needs. Mo described this as “the biggest leap forward” he’s seen at any hackathon so far.

“This year’s AI agents weren’t just reactive chatbots,” said Mo Zidan, one of the lead mentors. “They were capable of taking action — booking taxis during emergencies or rerouting flights. That’s a massive shift.”

AI, Creativity, and the Future: A Bosch Perspective

As the host of the Cluj Hackathon 2025, Bosch Engineering Center Cluj provided not just the venue, but a fertile ground for forward-looking innovation. For Maria Barbatei, Group Leader of VR & AR Activities at Bosch, what stood out most was the breadth and relevance of the solutions.

“First of all, in this edition, the variety of solutions was extremely wide,” Maria noted. “The participants tackled problems from several industries, and especially the winners provided a solution which is relevant to all of us as it influences our daily lives and helps us to design our work environment at the office or at home as it fits us best.”

Beyond the creativity and boldness of the teams, Maria emphasized Bosch’s ongoing investment in AI-driven development and a data-first culture:

“I believe that the development of AI in the next five years will be fast-paced, and this is the reason why at Bosch we focus on data-driven development, and aim to foster a data-first culture while staying ahead with the AI advancements. We do this with the projects and activities in the data-development area as well as with building communities to expand these competencies in the organization with a rich mix of learning formats and collaborative activities.”

Bosch’s innovation programs don’t just support external events like the hackathon; they’re also fueling internal breakthroughs, with multiple invention reports being generated every year. It’s a model of how corporate R&D and grassroots innovation can work hand-in-hand — and how Cluj’s tech ecosystem is positioning itself for long-term, AI-powered growth.

What’s Next for Cluj Hackathon?

The 2025 edition marked a turning point — with agentic AI becoming not just a buzzword but a tool for building real products with real users. The energy was palpable. So was the ambition.

As the Cluj tech ecosystem continues to mature, the hackathon proves it’s not just a launchpad for code, but a catalyst for startups, mentorship, and international partnerships.

Organizer Adrian Vlasiu sees even bigger things on the horizon: an expansion across Romania and Europe, the launch of a Senior Hackathon for professionals aged 30+, and the formation of a European Hackathon League to foster a cross-border community of builders.

“We’re creating a platform where ideas meet capital, mentorship meets execution, and regional talent meets global relevance”, Adrian said.

One thing’s certain: the future of AI isn’t being built in Silicon Valley alone — it’s also coming from a theology high school student in Cluj, a chatbot for university offices, and a virtual guardian angel for tourists.

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On February 27, 2025, the LevelUP Health & Life Sciences Accelerator Demo Day took place at Hub UTCN in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, bringing together some of the most promising health tech startups. The program’s finalists pitched their innovative solutions in nutrition, psychiatry, surgery, telemedicine, and healthcare management before a jury of investors, doctors, and business experts. The event also featured a panel discussion on the collaboration between healthcare professionals and startups, as well as a networking session.

After five intense months of work, including seven workshops, 29 experts, and over 70 hours of mentorship and consultancy, the six most promising health & life sciences startups reached the grand finale of the second edition of LevelUP Health & Life Sciences Accelerator.

At the end of the Demo Day evening, Argus AI won the Best Startup, Jury’s Choice, while Neurocare was awarded the Best Startup, Public’s Choice, recognizing their outstanding contributions to health innovation.

Argus AI: Augmented Reality to Support Neurosurgeons

One of the standout startups at Demo Day was Argus AI, a company leveraging augmented reality to assist neurosurgeons in reducing surgical errors, operation times, anesthesia exposure, and post-operative complications. Their solution integrates MRI/CT scans into VR headsets, allowing surgeons to visualize critical structures such as tumors and blood vessels, helping them better prepare for complex interventions.

Vladimir Verbulski, the founder of Argus AI, highlighted the immense value of the LevelUP Accelerator in shaping their journey. “The industry-specific mentorship and tailored sessions were exactly what we needed. The program helped us refine our approach and move towards real-world application,” he shared.

Currently, Argus AI has developed a minimum viable product (MVP) and is starting trials in collaboration with clinics and hospitals to gather feedback and refine their technology. They are also seeking €1.9 million in investment to sustain operations for the next two and a half years. “This funding will allow us to bring the product to market, validate its impact in real-world settings, and ultimately improve neurosurgical procedures,” Vladimir Verbulski explained.

Argus AI’s innovation and potential were recognized at the event, earning them the Best Startup, Jury’s Choice award.

Neurocare: Enhancing Dementia Care with Smart Wearables

Another promising startup at Demo Day, Neurocare, is revolutionizing dementia care through smart wearables and a connected platform. Their solution monitors vitals, activity, sleep patterns, and fall risks, ensuring greater safety for patients. Caregivers benefit from real-time insights and AI-powered support, while healthcare professionals gain access to data-driven patient management tools, leading to improved care coordination.

Founder Florin Leu, along with Vladimir Plotean, emphasized how the LevelUP Accelerator helped refine their strategy and accelerate growth. “The experience has been invaluable—we’re now better prepared to navigate the market and avoid past mistakes,” they shared.

The team is currently focused on finalizing their MVP by the end of Q2 and preparing for clinical trials. Their goal is to launch first in Romania, then expand across the EU. To make this happen, they are seeking a €500,000 pre-seed investment and strategic partnerships with hospitals and healthcare organizations. “We need strong endorsements to build trust and scale our solution effectively,” Florin Leu explained.

Neurocare’s efforts resonated strongly with the audience, earning them the Best Startup, Public’s Choice at Demo Day.

Other Startups That Pitched at Demo Day

Besides Argus AI and Neurocare, four other promising startups showcased their solutions at LevelUP Demo Day:

• Dr-Online – A telemedicine app that facilitates easy access to quality medical services. Through partnerships with doctors, clinics, and service providers, their platform offers virtual consultations, integrates medical devices, and enables efficient electronic medical record (EMR) management.
• Forkpie Kids – An AI-powered app that helps parents monitor their children’s nutrition. Users take a photo of their meals, and the app analyzes nutritional values while providing personalized recommendations based on Healthy Eating Plate principles. Parents receive daily and weekly reports to support healthier eating habits for their children.
• MaeveAI – An AI-powered virtual assistant designed to simplify the workload of healthcare professionals. MaeveAI automates tasks such as patient communication, appointment scheduling, and inventory management, allowing doctors to focus more on patient care.
• Smart Bites – A comprehensive nutrition solution, offering personalized meal plans, expert consultation, quick online grocery shopping, and ingredient delivery. Smart Bites simplifies the journey toward healthy eating for the entire family.

LevelUP’s Vision: Personalizing the Startup Journey

Reflecting on this edition of LevelUP, Anca Roman, Head of the Accelerator, highlighted the impressive progress made by the participating startups. “Innovation in healthcare is often a slow process, but with the right mentorship, expertise, and partnerships, we’ve seen remarkable growth,” she noted.

Looking ahead, the accelerator plans to further personalize the journey for each startup and explore a challenge-driven approach, potentially focusing on areas like oncology or green health tech. Another key priority is fostering long-term engagement through community events, bringing together alumni and experts to discuss funding opportunities and sustain momentum.

“We want to keep supporting startups even after the program ends, ensuring they have the resources and connections to scale,” Roman emphasized.

LevelUP Health & Life Sciences Accelerator

Launched in March 2023 by INNO, the North-West of Romania Regional Development Agency’s department responsible for regional innovation and attracting investors, LevelUP is the first accelerator in Romania exclusively dedicated to startups in the fields of health and life sciences. The program has been developed with assistance from EIT Health as part of their DRIVE program, further strengthening its commitment to fostering cutting-edge healthcare solutions.

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Between November 2024 and February 2025, the Cluj IT Association, in partnership with Smart Innovation Norway, carried out the project “AI-Driven Green Digital Transformation in Public Administration”.

The project pursued the development of an approach model for evaluating the degree of digitization and the level of preparation of the town halls for the adoption of modern digital tools, including artificial intelligence, taking into account at the same time the need to ensure the lowest possible level of negative impact on the environment. The mayors of Romania and Norway were primarily targeted, and the project could later be expanded to include local administrations from other countries.

Within the project, a web platform was implemented that allows evaluation processes to be carried out by going through a form in multiple steps, answering multiple-choice questions.

The set of 180 questions, grouped into 11 categories, was made by the implementation team through a process of research and analysis, aiming at the full coverage of all activities carried out within a local administration organization and specific aspects related to sustainability and reducing the negative impact on the environment.

Artificial intelligence algorithms were used to train the interpreter of the evaluation responses so that he could create a comprehensive diagnosis of the current state regarding digitization, preparation for the adoption of AI tools and ensuring sustainability, and to be able to generate actionable, personalized recommendations in this regard. For the interpretation and formulation of the results, a large language model (LLM) from the Llama family was integrated. From the beginning, the system is available in three languages, Romanian, Norwegian and English, making automatic translations through Deepl integration to ensure efficient collaboration between administration representatives and consultants from both participating countries.

The system was piloted and validated through training and work sessions with municipalities from Romania and Norway, including on the Romanian side the municipality of Bistrita, the municipality of Turda, and the city of Cugir, and on the Norwegian side the municipalities of Kongsvinger, Kristiansund, and Bamble.

The participating municipalities appreciated the relevance of the project and the result of the implementation, showing interest in using it further and recommending it to other institutions.

Following the implementation of this pilot project, the partners, the Cluj IT Association and Smart Innovation Norway intend to continue developing the system and implementing it further both in their countries, Romania and Norway, as well as in other countries.

The project is supported by a grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA grants Romania 2014-2021, in the frame of the “SME Growth Programme Romania”.

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In the winter of 1997, an 18-year-old Kai Brand Jacobsen set foot in Cluj-Napoca for the first time. What was meant to be a brief visit to meet Denisa — whom he had met at an international summer school in Norway — turned into the beginning of a lifelong connection to the city and Romania. Cluj, as Jacobsen fondly recalls, was different then: fewer parks, fewer restaurants, and a quieter charm. Yet, what captivated him was the vibrant energy of its people, their hospitality, and a palpable passion for life that made him fall in love with the city.

Over the next 25 years, Jacobsen not only made Cluj his home but also transformed it into a hub for global peacebuilding through his work with the Romanian Peace Institute (PATRIR). The organization, founded in Transylvania, has grown into a globally recognized institution addressing conflicts, promoting education, and fighting violence. Jacobsen’s contributions have not only impacted communities worldwide but have also helped Cluj emerge as a center for education, innovation, and peace.

While PATRIR is not a startup in the traditional sense, its story mirrors the entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of our Startups&TheCity project. Born in Cluj-Napoca, this NGO has leveraged innovation, collaboration, and a bold vision to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from conflict resolution to education reform. 

Much like a successful startup, PATRIR has scaled its impact globally, demonstrating how cities like Cluj can serve as launchpads for initiatives that change the world. Over a coffee, I sat down with Kai Brand Jacobsen to explore the story of PATRIR and his journey as its founder, as he embarks on a new role outside Cluj and PATRIR.

PATRIR: A Global Force for Change

For over two decades, Jacobsen dedicated himself to PATRIR, an organization deeply rooted in the belief that peace begins at the community level. Under his leadership, PATRIR has worked tirelessly to address issues such as bullying in schools, gender-based violence, and domestic abuse, all while promoting healthy communication and relationships. Through workshops and educational campaigns, the institute has reached thousands of students and educators across Romania, empowering them with the tools to create safe, inclusive environments.

The organization’s influence, however, extends far beyond Romania. PATRIR has played pivotal roles in mediating global conflicts, including facilitating peace talks in Nepal, Northern Ireland, and other war-torn regions. Its innovative approaches to addressing the root causes of violence have earned it invitations from the United Nations and governments worldwide. The institute’s expertise in ceasefires, peace agreements, and community rebuilding has saved lives and restored hope in regions devastated by war.

The Synergy Between Cluj and PATRIR

Jacobsen attributes much of PATRIR’s success to the mutual relationship between the institute and Cluj. The city, with its rich cultural and intellectual life, has provided a fertile ground for PATRIR’s educational initiatives and campaigns. Collaborating with local authorities, civic organizations, and educators, PATRIR has not only contributed to Cluj’s development but also inspired its citizens to embrace their role in building a more peaceful society.

“Cluj has grown alongside PATRIR,” Jacobsen reflects. “The people here—teachers, artists, entrepreneurs—are the heart of the city, and their energy inspires everything we do.”

A Call to Action: Supporting PATRIR’s Mission

PATRIR’s work is more urgent than ever, as the world faces increasing violence and instability. Jacobsen highlights the institute’s current campaign to expand its impact locally and globally, particularly in education and peacebuilding. “We’re working on future education in Romania to achieve deep, systemic change,” he explains. This initiative involves creating safe schools, overcoming bullying, and equipping children with practical skills such as effective communication, problem-solving, and collaboration—tools essential for thriving in today’s world and building a better future.

Equally vital is PATRIR’s continued fight against gender-based violence, ensuring that every individual, whether in Romania or beyond, has the opportunity to grow up in safety and dignity. On the global stage, PATRIR is actively supporting communities ravaged by war, including those in Ukraine, Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon. Through interventions to prevent conflicts, efforts to assist survivors, and programs to rebuild lives after violence, PATRIR stands as a beacon of hope. “We’re asking people to help us make a difference in this critical moment,” Jacobsen urges, emphasizing that even in the midst of the worst violence, collective action can pave the way for peace.

A Personal and Professional Farewell

This year marks a significant transition for Jacobsen as he embarks on a new role outside Cluj, one that allows him to continue his global peacebuilding efforts. Despite the move, his connection to Cluj remains steadfast. “Cluj will always be home,” he says. “If I could choose, I would stay here every day. But wherever I go, this city will be a part of me.”

Jacobsen envisions a bright future for Cluj, confident that the city’s dynamism and creativity will continue to flourish. For him, Cluj is just at the beginning of its next chapter, one that will see it rise as a leader in innovation, education, and community building.

To support PATRIR’s vital work and contribute to making a difference, visit patrir.ro/donate.

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Between November 2024 and February 2025, the Cluj IT Association will run in partnership with Smart Innovation Norway the project “AI-Driven Green Digital Transformation in Public Administration.”

The project will follow the development of an approach model for evaluating the degree of digitalization and the level of preparation of the town halls for the adoption of modern digital tools, including artificial intelligence, taking into account at the same time the need to ensure the lowest possible level of negative impact on the environment. 

The municipalities of Romania and Norway are primarily targeted, and the project may later be expanded to include local administrations from other countries.

The project aims to implement an application accessible via the Internet, through which to collect information from the municipalities and to carry out evaluations based on artificial intelligence algorithms, a knowledge base explicitly developed for this project and a large language model (LLM) which is to be chosen in such a way as to confer the highest possible accuracy of the evaluation and recommendations, as well as the least possible dependence on commercial licenses of the technical instruments.

The project is supported by a grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA grants Romania 2014-2021, in the frame of the “SME Growth Programme Romania”.

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Founded this fall in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Boon is a pioneering peer-to-peer marketplace that goes beyond conventional secondhand selling by integrating social impact into every transaction. 

Created by entrepreneur Stefan Szakal, Boon enables employees within companies to buy and sell secondhand goods, with all proceeds directed to a charity of the seller’s choosing. This unique approach combines commerce, charity, and sustainability, aiming to foster community trust and drive positive social change within corporate environments.

A Marketplace Built on Trust

Boon was designed to operate exclusively within companies, allowing only colleagues to engage in transactions. This trust-based model addresses common challenges in peer-to-peer marketplaces, such as issues with reliability and security, while strengthening workplace community bonds. Inspired by Szakal’s experience attempting to donate an old computer to an animal shelter, Boon evolved from a charity-focused concept to a marketplace built on workplace trust, where companies act as intermediaries to guarantee secure and transparent exchanges.

Unique Use Cases and Versatility

Boon’s applications go beyond simple product exchanges. Sellers can offer unique experiences—like cooking classes or tech tutorials—using the proceeds to support local charities. In one instance, a company’s CEO auctioned a barbecue invite, with all funds going directly to charity. This flexibility in offerings showcases Boon’s potential to cultivate both shared experiences and charitable impact, helping to strengthen workplace connections and inspire collaborative generosity.

Social Impact at Its Core

With Boon, every transaction reinforces a commitment to social responsibility. Szakal emphasizes that the platform empowers users to select from a list of verified local charities, ensuring that donations are meaningful and impactful. By allowing employees to support causes close to their hearts, Boon fosters a sense of purpose and engagement that resonates with the younger workforce. Furthermore, Boon’s built-in AI tool measures the environmental benefits of each purchase, making the environmental impact of secondhand buying visible and accessible for users.

Aligning with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Human Resources (HR)

Boon is a powerful ally for corporate CSR and HR initiatives, helping companies easily digitize and expand their charity efforts. The platform allows employees the freedom to support causes that matter to them, and Boon’s charity verification process assures companies that they’re contributing to reputable organizations. This alignment with CSR policies also enhances employee engagement and satisfaction, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z, who are more likely to value companies with strong social responsibility practices.

Boon’s Business Model and Future Plans

Unlike typical marketplace models, Boon’s business model aligns directly with its social impact mission. The platform operates without charging companies or users, focusing instead on the success of the charities it supports. By acting as a “fundraising department” for these organizations, Boon creates value without imposing fees or transaction costs on companies or individuals.

Currently in its early stages, Boon launched to the public in September with initial adopters like Rebel Dot, a forward-thinking company that shares Boon’s commitment to social impact. Looking ahead, Stefan Szakal has ambitious plans to expand to Bucharest by November, with the possibility of entering an international market by the end of the year. This growth plan illustrates Boon’s scalable potential, driven by a focus on impactful, community-centered commerce.

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On Thursday, 19 September 2024, Morning Health Talks #2 was organized by FreshBlood HealthTech, the local representative of EIT Health in Romania, an event that brought together healthcare innovators, entrepreneurs, and experts in a hybrid format in Cluj-Napoca and online. The event focused on real-world case studies, best practices, and lessons learned in healthcare innovation. 

The EIT Health Morning Health Talks is an event series organized by the EIT Health Hubs in the RIS countries, running for 4 years now. The aim is to strengthen relationships between the local, regional, and national stakeholders of the healthcare innovation ecosystems, through honest, professional discussions. 

The theme of this year’s event in Cluj-Napoca, Open Innovation in Healthcare, provided a platform to explore the latest trends and challenges in this dynamic field. Key international and local voices came together to discuss the role of open innovation in improving healthcare outcomes, especially in startup environments.

The event highlighted key strategies and challenges in leveraging external resources to foster innovation in the healthcare sector. 

Key Speakers and Highlights

One of the main speakers was Maria Sanchis Amat, PhD – Senior Open Innovation & Innovative Procurement Manage at EIT Health Germany. An organization renowned for its work in healthcare innovation, EIT Health has established itself as a leader in fostering open innovation across Europe, and Maria’s presentation emphasized the importance of adapting successful European programs to local contexts, particularly in Romania. The LevelUP startup accelerator, which was highlighted at the event, serves as a model for such adaptation.

To further contextualize open innovation within the healthcare sector, the event brought together both international and Romanian speakers. 

For instance, Jorge Pimenta – Innovation Director at Space Solutions Portugal presented tangible examples of local initiatives that bridge the gap between global innovation and local implementation, while Sándor Kovács – Health Economist, Division of Pharmacoeconomics at Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs & Senior Researcher at Syreon Research Institute discussed critical aspects of health economics and outcomes research (eHTA), often overlooked by startups in the tech and healthcare space.

Anca Roman – Head of the INNO – Rethinking Business Networks at North West Regional Development Agency, representing LevelUP, the first Health & Life Sciences startup accelerator in Romania, provided valuable insights into Romania’s evolving healthcare ecosystem. 

Additionally, the presence of two National Contact Points (NCPs), Adina Stanculea – NCP EIT Romania & Elena Ungureanu – NCP EIC & EIE Romania, was crucial in highlighting the complexities involved in translating EU funding opportunities into actionable local projects. These NCPs work to localize EU programs like EIT, EIC, and EIE, ensuring that Romanian entities can successfully navigate the application processes.

Finally, the event featured an important discussion with Serban Udrea from Medisprof Cancer Center, a business leader in healthcare, who shared his experience working within the open innovation framework. As a private entity balancing profitability with technological advancement, Serban’s insights into the challenges of integrating startups into healthcare were invaluable.

Serban highlighted the barriers startups face in terms of healthcare regulations and business acumen, and how open innovation can help overcome these obstacles to create a more collaborative and innovative ecosystem.

Lessons Learned from the LevelUP Accelerator

The key takeaway from the LevelUP project, as part of the EIT Health Drive Program, was the importance of community building in creating value within a specific domain.

Presenting the program, which last year involved more than 25 diverse partners including universities, startup associations, media, and medical institutions, Anca ROMAN highlighted that networking and exposure to new stakeholders are as crucial as funding for startups. 

The initial community-focused approach, which connected startups with various entities, proved to be more beneficial than immediate financial support, as it helped startups mature their ideas and attract funding over time.

Best Practices in Collaborating with Medical Startups

The key best practices and lessons learned from collaborating with medical startups, as discussed with Serban Udrea, include understanding the root problem by engaging directly with end-users, personalizing solutions to fit specific medical practices, and presenting clear clinical advantages to gain adoption. 

Cost-effectiveness should be quantified in terms of clinical outcomes and productivity. Conducting research or clinical studies is essential to provide credible evidence of clinical benefits, which is crucial for gaining trust and acceptance in the medical field.

Lessons Learned from Founding a Medical Startup

In the conversation, two of the co-founders of Hello Carl, Vlad Plotean and Florin Leu, shared lessons learned and best practices for founding a medical startup. They emphasized that the initial idea often changes due to market feedback, advocating for continuous market engagement through questionnaires, MVPs, pilot programs, and focus groups.

Networking and partnerships with institutions are crucial, especially in the health industry, where relationships take time to develop. 

They also stressed the importance of leveraging existing solutions to expedite development and seeking advice from specialists, particularly in sensitive health tech areas like their dementia startup. 

Lastly, they highlighted the need to consider cultural and regional differences when planning for a global market.

Best Practices in Tech Transfer and Health Sector Collaboration

Kinga Hening, Tech Transfer Officer at Babes-Bolyai University’s TechTransfer Center, emphasized the importance of collaboration in the health sector, and particularly in Romania.

Kinga highlighted the university’s efforts in integrating research with practical applications, fostering partnerships with various entities like the Romanian Academy, EIT Health, FreshBlood, and startups. The goal is to enhance safety, health and community well-being through technology transfer. 

Kinga underscored the tech transfer office’s role as a facilitator, bridging gaps between research, investors, companies, and hospitals to create beneficial outcomes for the community.

Conclusions

The event highlighted the critical role of open innovation in transforming the healthcare landscape, particularly through collaboration and the sharing of best practices across borders.

With contributions from both international and Romanian experts, the event underscored the importance of building strong communities that bring together diverse stakeholders—universities, startups, medical institutions, and more. This approach, as demonstrated by the LevelUP Accelerator, was shown to be more effective than immediate financial support, helping startups to mature their ideas and create long-term value.

Key lessons from the discussions highlighted that networking, co-creation, and collaboration with a wide range of partners are indispensable for the success of healthcare startups.

Exposure to diverse stakeholders not only enhances innovation but also helps startups navigate the complexities of the healthcare sector, including regulatory barriers and the need for credible clinical evidence.

Ultimately, the event showcased the power of open innovation in overcoming traditional barriers in the healthcare sector, creating a collaborative ecosystem that benefits both startups and the broader medical community.

By fostering connections, building partnerships, and integrating external resources, these initiatives are helping to drive healthcare innovation forward, both in Romania and across Europe.

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