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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Rubik Hub announces the 8th edition of Rubik Garage, its flagship accelerator program, dedicated for the first time exclusively to the healthcare industry. The program runs from October 2025 to February 2026 and is open to European startups at pre-MVP, MVP, or growth stage that are building impactful health solutions. Participation is free and equity-free.

Applications are now open: rubikhub.ro/rubik-garage/

Two Tracks for Healthcare Startups

The program offers tailored support depending on the stage of development:

Pre-MVP (TRL 3–5): From Proof of Concept to Prototype

• Validate the technical and functional feasibility of solutions
• Move from proof of concept to functional prototype
• Prepare for early user testing and market readiness

MVP & Growth (TRL 6–8): From Testing to Market Traction

• Validate technology in operational environments
• Attract first customers or users
• Refine the business model for growth, market entry, or fundraising

“Through the Rubik Garage accelerator, we support healthcare startups in moving towards market-ready solutions, real-world validation, and commercial traction. Rubik Hub has the expertise to guide founders from early validation to building viable business models, providing them with the knowledge and resources they need. We chose to apply this experience to one of the most challenging sectors—healthcare—in order to foster real innovation and long-lasting impact,” said Ionuț Amariei, program manager.

Eligibility

The accelerator targets European startup teams working on solutions in medtech, healthtech, digital medical devices, digital health, health data, longevity, mental health, and consumer health.

Applicants must have:

• Solutions at TRL 3–8
• A founding team with medical expertise
• Ambition to scale into European and global markets

As with all Rubik Hub programs, participation is free and equity-free, but teams must commit fully to the program. Applicants showing strong engagement will be prioritized.

Program Structure

The program starts on October 22, 2025 and includes:

• 100+ hours of workshops, mentoring, and one-on-one feedback sessions
• Meetings with investors, founders, and certified coaches
• In-person gatherings:
  • Milan Bootcamp (Nov 26–28, 2025) – networking with peers, mentors, and the Rubik Hub team
  • Demo Day (Feb 2026) – startups present their progress to investors, partners, and mentors

A Proven Track Record

Since its launch, Rubik Garage has worked with more than 230 founders, with alumni including Rayscape, Synaptiq, Apollo AI, and Beesers. This edition is supported by Orange and Imago-Mol Cluster through the Innovate EU and Cluster4Health projects.

In 2025, Rubik Hub, part of the North-East Regional Development Agency of Romania, was ranked 39th among Europe’s top accelerators, a prestigious list developed by Financial Times, Sifted, and Statista.

At the beginning of October, part of the Rubik Hub team will attend Italian Tech Week, where they can connect in person with the local startup ecosystem.

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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 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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The Unchain Fintech Festival‘s 2023 edition which took place in Oradea’s fortress, located in NW Romania, was hailed as the Davos summit for digital banking in the CEE region by its organizers and received great acclaim from the attendees. Taking place between 29-30 June, the event drew over 450 esteemed finance professionals who engaged in a two-day business marathon filled with fintech panels, networking opportunities, startup presentations, lively parties, and a plethora of other activities.

“The event is like a dream come true, as it was my dream to have a Central Eastern European forum, like a festival, where innovation springs out and all the people collaborate and discuss what’s next in FinTech in CEE. And my next dream is to establish it like the Davos summit for digital banking in the CEE region”, declared Cosmin Cosma, co-founder of Unchain Fintech Festival and CEO and co-founder of Finqware.

The event took place shortly after the European Commission introduced four regulatory packages that will have a significant impact on the banking sector in Europe in the coming years. These packages include the Open Finance Initiative, the PSD3 proposal, the green finance proposal, and the digital Euro. Consequently, discussions revolved around topics such as open finance, open banking, digital Euro, and CBDCs.

A prevalent viewpoint centered around digitalization, with certain banks expressing their ability to enhance digitalization. However, concerns were raised about potentially alienating individuals who have yet to fully embrace digital banking. Consequently, these banks are somehow slowing down the pace of digitalization to cater to all audiences, including those who have not fully transitioned to digital platforms. Similar sentiments were shared regarding CBDCs, with questions raised about the timeline for their implementation. Some central banks acknowledged the need for education and widespread adoption to achieve the desired outcomes.

Nevertheless, banks have undergone a significant transformation, shifting their focus towards prioritizing user experience and leveraging technology. This shift has propelled them to adopt a more akin approach to tech companies, continuously developing advanced solutions to enhance client satisfaction. In this process, banks have faced the challenge of effectively managing the delicate balance between compliance requirements and ensuring a seamless digital customer journey.

While last year witnessed fervent discussions around cryptocurrencies and widespread interest in them, this year the conversations surrounding cryptocurrencies were more subdued. However, a clear trend emerged indicating the rapid acceleration of mobile banking. Although people still rely on traditional payment methods such as plastic cards, there is an increasing shift towards mobile devices and wearable technology. Contactless payments have already become the norm, and the transition from cards to mobile devices is expected to occur swiftly. Additionally, the desire for instant gratification among consumers is driving the demand for instant payments and refunds

Regarding blockchain technology, there is now a broader range of applications being explored. Although blockchain has often been associated with cryptocurrencies, its potential extends beyond that. One notable use case is cross-border payments between companies, particularly in the context of the booming e-commerce industry. The convergence of face-to-face and online commerce has already been observed, but there are still numerous untapped use cases yet to emerge.

Within the field of financial technology, specialists identify two prominent trends. Firstly, there is a focus on B2B FinTech, where companies provide technology-based financial services to banks and financial institutions. This sector currently garners significant attention from investors and the industry, as it offers enhanced efficiency and additional services. Secondly, specialists foresee substantial potential for B2C FinTech in underbanked and underserved regions of the world, particularly in Africa, where accessing banking services and facilitating payments is challenging.

Banks and FinTechs are commonly perceived as competition, which holds true to a certain extent. However, it is essential to recognize the potential for collaboration and synergistic partnerships between banks and fintech companies. This collaboration can significantly enhance the ability to swiftly deliver enhanced services to customers, thereby creating a mutually beneficial environment.

“I think the first and the most fundamental thing is that banks and fintechs understand one crucial rule and this is that if you look at the overall revenues which are in the financial market, banks and fintechs are not fighting for the same amount of revenues, if there is a cooperation between bank and fintechs, the total revenues of services delivered on the market can grow. That means that if there is fruitful cooperation, then the total share of services on the market grows, the revenue grows and the client satisfaction grows, so it’s not fighting for the same resources, it’s enlarging what’s on the table for the whole financial market.”, said Martin Marek, Unicorn Attacks Co-Owner and Seed Starter Venture Capital Founder.

“In our case, for example, we’ve onboarded several fintechs in our applications, and not just in the wallet mobile application that we are delivering to the customers but also as layers towards the delivery of other services. We do need to improve every single day the experience that we deliver to our customers”, added Oana Ilas, Deputy CEO, Head of Retail Banking, Banca Transilvania, Romania.

The recognition for the Digital Bank of the Year in CEE went to Tatra Banka from Slovakia, for their exceptional commitment and ongoing activity in supporting digitalization and providing convenient digital banking experiences. Specifically, for having the highest penetration of mobile payments in F2F transactions in CEE and for taking the initiative to distribute NFTs to their staff.

Regarding the startup competition, the judges were impressed by the participation of teams from across Europe. These startups had already made considerable progress, demonstrating maturity, client experience, revenue generation, and extensive business expertise. The judges greatly appreciated these attributes, as they showcased the startups’ profound understanding of their respective domains. The selected winner of the competition was chosen Synapze GmbH, an end-to-end automation platform for the financial services industry which makes decision-making efficient with the power of AI.

The organizers of the Unchain Festival are bound to create the next year’s event with the same consistent mission of growing fintech in CEE and putting in motion the right wheels to generate innovation. Bringing leaders, doers and visionaries together in the right setup is the key to further accelerating the region`s potential for stellar fintech products.

“Unchain Fintech Festival is an excellent space to connect with industry leaders, share insights, and explore the latest trends and advancements that are shaping the future of payments. Visa is a longstanding champion of the fintech sector, playing an instrumental role in shaping the fintech environment that we know today. We work with fintech of all shapes and sizes to understand the challenges and opportunities they face, and provide the bespoke guidance and tools they need to scale and develop the next generation of seamless payment experiences that can benefit thousands of businesses and billions of consumers. Our “open” approach, means Visa partners can take advantage of our technology and security to constantly innovate and access best-in-class innovation”, stated Catalin Cretu, General Manager, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia, Visa.

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The inaugural Cluj Hackathon, the first hackathon in Romania focused on Artificial Intelligence, and Generative AI took place between June 16-18, 2023, at the Bosch Engineering Center Cluj. More than 115 participants, organized into 43 teams, enthusiastically joined the hackathon, making it one of the most successful events of this kind in Romania.

For three days, the participants had the opportunity to build and develop revolutionary applications and platforms, with access to high-quality mentoring, a wide range of resources, and networking opportunities, with participants from across the country. 

Remarkably, the youngest contestants in the hackathon were two boys, aged only 12, who independently acquired coding skills at home. Motivated to learn new things and connect with like-minded individuals, they opted to participate. With the guidance of mentors, they successfully developed an AI story generator. “It feels immensely gratifying when you code something and witness its functionality. That’s what drives me,” expressed Prisăcaru Thomas, one of the youngest participants in the hackathon.

The inception of the hackathon took shape when Adrian Vlasiu discovered the boundless potential of ChatGPT. His early engagement with OpenAI’s groundbreaking technology evoked a “deja-vu” moment, similar to the iPhone’s initial market launch. Fuelled by this profound insight, Vlasiu resolved to orchestrate a hackathon, thereby providing a platform for others to explore and harness the transformative power of this remarkable technological advancement.

“I wanted to organize the biggest hackathon in Cluj. And I wanted to organize the Untold Festival of hackathons to set a new standard in terms of satisfaction for the participants, satisfaction for the sponsors, and the whole overall experience of the competition. The engaging format of the Cluj Hackathon proved to be a winning recipe because the participants saw a different hackathon format. It’s not just about the competition or the prizes; it’s all about building community, engaging with each other, and succeeding by helping others succeed. We had very generous sponsors and top-class companies like Bosch that enabled us the hackathon location within Cluj-Napoca at the Bosch Engineering Center Cluj, one of the smartest buildings in the office scene in Romania. Untold Festival and Banca Transilvania supported our initiative, giving us a huge boost of confidence. And, of course, we had a scorching topic, artificial intelligence, and ChatGPT.”, said Adrian Vlasiu, founder of the Cluj Hackathon.

Out of the 43 teams which took part, team TestBusters emerged triumphant as they won the first prize in the hackathon. Their creation, an AI-powered solution for automated software testing, showcased ingenuity that pleased all the judges. There were other outstanding projects, and eventually, the score was tight. However, when measured against the hackathon’s primary objective of delivering a functional product within the allotted time, TestBusters stood firmly at the forefront, embodying the essence of the event.

“We have created a solution that uses artificial intelligence to test applications automatically, but not only does the test, it also creates tests automatically. With artificial intelligence, it’s possible to automate more and do more. Basically, those tests are needed in every software or manufacturing firm, so we can solve them by automating them. The goal of this kind of application is ease of use. The product manager or the product owner can use it because it’s very simplified; you don’t need to know how to code; you need to fill out a form, and the computer will be able to understand what you want to do.” explained their solution, Gaëtan de Smet and Stan Ciprian, two of the members of the winning team.

The second place was awarded to the Tech Titans, who worked on detecting anomalies in a dataset from a sensor system (car batteries). Their project underscores the importance of data analysis in solving real-world issues. And, not to be overshadowed, Brainiax took the third spot for their effective solution for detecting potholes on the road. As one of the lead engineers from Bosch pointed out, detecting and analyzing potholes on the road in real-time is one of the toughest engineering challenges in the auto industry today.

A team of mentors from diverse backgrounds in technology and entrepreneurship extended unwavering support to the hackathon participants. Their invaluable expertise and guidance catalyzed innovation and critical thinking, nurturing an environment where teams could thrive and unleash their true potential. Through their mentorship, these seasoned professionals empowered the participants, enabling them to transcend boundaries and realize their ideas.

“We started with 43 teams. I was amazed by how motivated they were and how fast they developed a functional prototype that fit the purpose they created it for. It was an excellent start for the participants, and I think that maybe all the startups should go through a hackathon at some point to kickstart their idea.”, said Smaranda Ignat, mentor.

“I’ve seen some great ideas, for example, one team taking care of the blind people and trying to integrate them in society by offering an easier integration in the digital world, like websites that can be translated into Braille, using speech-to-text. I’ve learned a lot from the teams. I believe this mentorship experience happened from both sides. I hope to see at least one or two of the teams hopping to the next stage and talking to some investors.” added Victor Dinică, mentor.

The host for the hackathon was none other than the Bosch Engineering Center Cluj. Renowned for its cutting-edge work in developing software and hardware solutions for automated, electric, and connected driving technologies, the center boasts an end-to-end approach. Bosch Engineering Center Cluj is a pivotal software hub in the realm of automated driving innovation, from crafting the software integrated within the vehicle to the cloud-based software that facilitates seamless connectivity.

“We’ve hosted the Cluj Hackathon to enable the community to grow because AI is a promising technology. Reflecting on our collaborative internal working environment, one of our goals as an engineering center is to develop with the local and international communities. We cannot do a one-man-show these days, it takes teams to build big things, and as a reflection of that, we want to be part of the community, the ecosystem and develop together with the universities, other companies, and startups.”, said Cătălin Golban, responsible for the Department developing Computer Vision technology for automated driving at Bosch Engineering Center Cluj.

When considering productivity enhancements, implementing AI can yield significant optimizations across various job domains, encompassing software development and testing. However, the realm of technology development is also profoundly impacted. Notably, Bosch has been harnessing the power of AI for an extensive duration, commencing a decade ago with the ambitious objective of assembling a team specializing in computer vision for automated driving. The outcomes of this endeavor have been truly remarkable, with millions of cars worldwide currently equipped with AI-based technology crafted by the Engineering Center situated in Cluj-Napoca.

“For us, AI is not new, but we see more and more new models emerging, which help us solve problems that previously were either unsolvable or maybe were solved by rather traditional algorithmic methods. The ecosystem consisting of startups and companies needs to adapt, it needs to professionally convert people in the software area to get familiar with using AI when developing features and as productivity tools. I think we should, as a community, not miss that train.

I also think such hackathons’ social and learning parts are essential. People came here to learn not only about technology but also how to pitch ideas and present what they think. I believe that big things can be done in teams, through collaboration, by sharing know-how and exchanging ideas; this is how the community will grow. Events like Cluj Hackathon are a big boost for the community.”, added Cătălin Golban.

With their sights set on the future, the organizers expressed their aspiration for the Cluj Hackathon to become an enduring tradition, extending its legacy into the upcoming year. Driven by an unwavering commitment to excellence, they seek to elevate the standards of hackathon organization, aiming to amplify the event’s quality and the unparalleled value it delivers to participants. By striving for the maximum return on investment, the organizers are relentlessly creating an even more remarkable and rewarding experience for all involved.

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On the 25th of May 2023, FreshBlood HealthTech, the local representative of EIT Health in Romania organized in Cluj-Napoca an event part of their Morning Health Talks series, having as main theme “Hospitals and startups, joint drivers of healthcare innovation”.

FreshBlood organizes two Morning Health Talks events per year, focused on how startups can help each other through sharing their achievements and problems.

The discussions of the first edition of this year were centered on real case studies, best practices and lessons learnt from different stakeholders – organizations, startups and hospitals – to boost healthcare innovation through collaboration between healthtech startups and hospitals.

The event started with an introduction of EIT Health and FreshBlood HealthTech priorities in 2023, by Dr. Ion-Gheorghe Petrovai. The Romanian NGO will focus this year on supporting an increase of health innovation capacity, while at the same time fostering engagement and generating inspiration in the healthtech community.

Dr. Ion-Gheorghe Petrovai also presented the Hubvantage program, launched at the beginning of 2022. Hubvantage is a personalized support program for HealthTech startup founders, with all year round activities specifically designed to help HealthTech startup founders get the support they need to move to the next level. The program offers founders: thorough needs assessment and identification of the immediate needs to address, personalized one-on-one mentoring with healthcare, technical mentors and relevant patients/users, the opportunity to be part of an exclusive club of health founders that inspire and support each other, specially designed events with relevant high quality content, access to opportunities and resources, national and international exposure through the consortium network.

The Hubvantage program is organized in collaboration by FreshBlood HealthTech, HIVE Center for Health Innovation of Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca and Activize and is supported by EIT Health.

Next speaker, George Megas, EIT Health HUB and Horizon Europe National Contact Points’ Coordinator at the National Documentation Centre, Athens, Greece explained how they encourage the collaboration between startups and hospitals in Greece.

“We are the EIT Health Hub in Greece, supporting startups in the healthcare sector, and students, trying to do that with the knowledge triangle integration model, connecting startups, industry, academia and research organizations. 

As a hub we have a variety of acceleration programs available for our community startups, depending on their maturity level. We have given more than a million euros to Greek startups through EIT Health in the last five years.

We have a lot of students participating in a variety of EIT Health programs, education programs, summer schools, campuses, we are among the first in recruitment of students EU-wide regarding EIT Health student and education programs. 

In today’s Morning Talk we’ve discussed mostly about how to connect startups with hospitals. EIT Health gave us a mandate last year to create a specific program for this. We selected the category of startups in hospitals and we created the SymbIASIS program.

SymbIASIS comes from the Greek words ‘symbiosis’ and ‘iasis’ which means healing. The goal was to connect the startups with some interesting parties inside the hospitals that were supporting the program, of course, not all Greek hospitals are in the program. We have public hospitals, private hospitals and we had 14 startups participating in 2022. We are going to have 15 more in 2023. In total, with the addition of eight more or seven more new hospitals and clinics this year, we’re going to have 15 hospitals and around 55 startups, and we’re going to do common events to put them in discussions. 

We are not going extremely deep in the technology connection, but we know what the startups are offering. We analyze their maturity and we know what the hospital’s needs through specific surveys, and we put them in common grounds like today’s events, we bring them together to events, we let them discuss.

The most important factor is to find the right person from the hospital with the right culture and mindset that likes and enjoys technology and he is technological savvy and he can understand the solution at hand provided by the startup. So it’s all about people. If you find the right people, then the connection can happen. But of course you have to overcome some regulatory issues or you have to have some procurement methodologies if you are talking with public hospitals. And these things can be overcome if you have the willingness to collaborate or if you have the culture to collaborate.

If you have the right technology, maybe the doctors that know about it and can understand it won’t say no to it, they will look at it, they will support it. And then maybe there are some pilots happening inside the hospitals. 

One other issue is funding, for example we have a startup with a new AI technology to support the anesthesiologist, they’re going to do some testing in some hospitals in Greece, but we are not sure if we can find funding for this. They’re doing it without funding just to collect some data and test their technologies. I think that the government should also support these efforts.The Ministry of Health, the hospital departments should allocate some funding in the innovation departments. They should have specific departments focusing on this. If they don’t have their own department on scouting for technologies then they can rely on EIT Health. We can scale the technology for them through SymbIASIS projects or other projects.”, said George Megas, EIT Health HUB and Horizon Europe National Contact Points’ Coordinator at the National Documentation Centre, Athens, Greece.

Next there were two online presentations, “How to prepare your startup for hospital collaboration” from Petros Papachristou (PhD), Chief Information Officer Hellenic Healthcare Group, Athens, Greece, while Dr. Ionut Nistor – Senior Nephrologist, lecturer at the “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, coordinator at MAVIS Techcenter transfer presented “Startup-hospital collaboration in Romania in 2023 – the UMF Iasi example”.

Petros Papachristou presented the needs in digital technology of a big group of hospitals, Hygeia Group in Greece, as its CIO. He stressed that a hospital needs to have in place a digital strategy, a business model for new solutions, to modernize the IT environment for all hospital basic functionalities and to have structured, medical codified data based on standards. Petros also presented case studies of successful implementations of digital services in their group of hospitals, like the Online Electronic Health Record or the Patient Experience Telemedicine.

Dr. Ionut Nistor presented the MAVIS Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer part of the at the “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, Romania, and some of the projects and activities of this technology transfer center. One of the challenges presented was the management of chronic patients and the process they went through to find solutions created by European startups to solve this problem, with the help of EIT Health.

The event continued with a startups panel with the topic “Collaborating with hospitals do’s and don’ts”, having as invited panelists Stefan Iarca – Co-founder & CEO Rayscape, Andrei Moldovan – Product & Account Manager at MediNav, Alexandru Lazar – Tech Executive and Founder Docviser.

It was very interesting to find from each of the startup founders, how they managed to create the first collaboration with a hospital.

“What has been very important for us was to find what they call an early adopter. We basically found a professor in our hometown of Timisoara, Romania, who was willing to give us a shot, to allow us to test our solution in their hospital, in their clinical environment. That was the point where, by having him and proving to him that the solution is indeed something that could work, it has been much easier from that point on to go to other hospitals and talk to them and say, look, we have this deployment here. The one crucial thing I would say is to get this early adopter to test your solution.”, said Stefan Iarca, Co-founder & CEO Rayscape.

“Once the startup was founded, and we had the MVP ready, we adopted a doctor in a private hospital. We sent him our solution to try it, and he was impressed with it. He also became part of the team. And then with his help, so a down top approach, we managed to get the interest of the hospital where he was working. There was a trial by fire, we entered the market and saw how the product would change or survive. We work now with around 15 hospitals, mainly with private clinics. But we also started working with the Ministry of Health and we have some pilot projects with state hospitals”, added Andrei Moldovan, Product & Account Manager at MediNav.

“We were kind of lucky because my co-founder is a doctor so our advantage was that we started from a real problem existing in hospitals, and we tackled it. Because he is the medical director,  we haven’t encountered any bureaucracy issues. We were able to launch the pilot program into a big county hospital. We had this opportunity to test our first version of the product one year and a half ago. With real data from real patients in the hospitals. We get some feedback. Of course, we had multiple iterations afterwards. It’s an ongoing process. We’re a software development company. So we know exactly what we’re doing. We know how to iterate on the process. So all we needed was the right feedback, from the real hospitals, to understand exactly what’s happening there and what are the challenges.”, said Alexandru Lazar, Tech Executive and Founder Docviser.

The final part of the event was dedicated to the presentation of “The patient feedback monitoring – a modern tool for health managers” by Dragos Vana – Founder Graphs.ro.

FreshBlood HealthTech, Cluj based NGO, is one of the main catalysts for healthcare innovation in Romania, supporting healthcare related startups since 2017. The NGO is also the hub of EIT Health in Romania starting from 2018.

Adriana Dunca, RIS Program Manager FreshBlood, explained the scope of the Morning Health Talks series of the events, and also informed of the other events and programs for startups they organize in Romania.

“We organize two Morning Health events per year, for this event our purpose was to have international speakers, local speakers and startups talking about how they work/collaborate with hospitals and their challenges and lessons learned. We focus a lot on startups helping each other through sharing information, sharing the process and sharing their problems. And I think we really accomplished that.

For this year, we will also have two satellite events in Techsylvania (How to tech in HealthTech – the startup way and GIPIA informal gathering) and also we will have HealthTech Next Generation #4 in December. So these are our major events. We also have the Hubvantage program in which we will have about four more events, and also the mentorship part. We’re also collaborating with LevelUP, the first Health & Life Sciences startup accelerator in Romania, where we are offering support and mentorship. We are also part of DIGIT-PRE – The European support programme for Innovative Solutions in Prevention, Prediction & Remote care. DIGIT-PRE combines 10 regional ecosystems (across 7 European countries) with diverse economic profiles. We helped identify and formulate the challenges and we still have a lot of things to do this year. 

We are always looking for new opportunities to help startups so we might just create new services/programs according to the feedback that we have. In whatever we do, we focus on the startups and with all the experience that we have, we see where we can help them improve. That’s how the Hubvantage program appeared. What we do is we try to connect the community and help them share information among them: startups, founders and mentors.”, said Adriana Dunca, RIS Program Manager FreshBlood.

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Techsylvania, the premier technology conference, is set to return for its highly anticipated 2023 edition. From 7 to 8th of June, the event will bring together the brightest minds in the tech industry for a captivating and transformative experience. This year’s conference will feature a wide range of topics, B2B matchmaking opportunities, and an exciting Start-up Alley, making it a must-attend event for professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors alike.

Topics That Shape the Future

Techsylvania 2023 will showcase an impressive lineup of speakers, each addressing crucial topics that shape the future of technology and business. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to gain insights from industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries who have made a significant impact in their respective fields. Here are just a few of the highly anticipated sessions:

• Mark Porter (MongoDB) – Bits to Bytes: Forging a Successful Career in Tech
• Al Doan (Missouri Star Quilt Company) – How I Built a $100M Quilting Business and Bought a Town
• Scott Chacon (GitButler) – The Future of Programming in an AI-Powered World
• Slava Rubin (Indiegogo & Humbition) – Getting Past 93 VC Rejections
• Prince Constantijn van Oranje (Techleap.nl) – Deep Tech, Sustainability, and Diversity: Insights from the Netherlands Ecosystem
• Vinny Pujji (Left Lane Capital) – Scaling and Fundraising for Marketplace, Consumer, and SMB Software Companies in a Downturn
• Qasar Younis (Applied Intuition) – From Y Combinator to Unicorn: Lessons in Building a High-Growth Startup
• Tijana Kovacevic (Happening) – Keeping Your Startup Heart While Scaling Up
• Donald Sumbry (Upbound) – Unleashing the Power of AI: How Engineering Managers Can 10X Their Performance with ChatGPT

B2B Matchmaking Opportunities and Networking

Techsylvania 2023 offers unparalleled opportunities for B2B matchmaking and networking. Attendees will have the chance to meet and connect with like-minded professionals, startups, and potential investors. Whether you are looking to pitch your own ideas, explore collaboration possibilities, or find your next business venture, the dedicated networking area is designed to facilitate meaningful connections. Participants will also benefit from free access to the B2B matchmaking area for two days, fostering an environment of innovation and collaboration. Remember, at Techsylvania, talking is just as important as listening.

Start-up Alley: Showcasing the Future of Innovation

Techsylvania’s Start-up Alley is a vibrant hub where groundbreaking ideas and disruptive startups take center stage. This dedicated space provides early-stage companies with a platform to showcase their innovative products and services to a highly engaged audience. Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to connect with potential investors, partners, and mentors, fostering growth and attracting valuable resources to fuel their journey.

Join Techsylvania 2023

Techsylvania 2023 promises to be an exceptional event, uniting visionaries, innovators, and industry leaders from around the globe. Don’t miss out on the chance to immerse yourself in cutting-edge discussions, forge valuable connections, and witness the future unfold.

Take advantage of our limited-time offer and purchase conference tickets at a special price through the Techsylvania website before June 4th using the promotional code TECHCOMMUNITY25. This exclusive code unlocks a 25% discount on Premium and Builder tickets, allowing you to experience the conference in style and gain access to all the exclusive perks and benefits. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to save big and join us at the premier tech event of the year!

At this edition,  the organizing team has an incredible lineup of partners supporting their cause. Among them are two heavyweights of the tech world: UniCredit Bank and Google.

“We are delighted to be partners of Techsylvania, an event where we can find inspiration and ideas for the innovations of tomorrow. At UniCredit, our objective is to be a truly digital bank, fueled by data and new technological solutions in every endeavor we undertake. We promote the digitalization of our services and innovation, with the ambition to become a top player in the digital banking sector in Romania. We have made significant progress in this regard, offering our customers numerous innovative digital products and services, and these values will continue to be the key drivers of our growth in the future.“, said Anca Ungureanu, Director of Identity and Communication at UniCredit Bank.

“On behalf of Google, a big thank you to Techsylvania for driving innovation and creating so much inspiration by bringing together amazing speakers and professionals. Moreover, thanks to all the partners and participants for supporting this type of initiative that contributes to brining more awareness about the future of technology and how everyone can benefit from it.”, said Dan Oros , Head Of Marketing @ Google in Romania | Strategy & Ops in CEE.

Additionally, Techsylvania has an impressive list of supporters of innovation and technology that includes: Happening, MassMutual, Betfair Romania Development, METRO.digital, NTT Data, Turkish Airlines, Telenav, Blu Capital Partners, Druid AI, Salt&Pepper, Endeavor, Laurentiu, Laurentiu & Asociatii, Cluj-Napoca City Hall and Cluj County Council.

Techsylvania is the largest technology growth platform in Romania and a leading technology and business event in Eastern Europe. Specialists from around the world discuss revolutionary ideas in a space that facilitates valuable interactions between large companies in Romania, entrepreneurs, startups, and investment funds. The event was created in 2014 by Oana Petruș and Vlad Ciurcă. Over the last 10 years, Techsylvania has brought together over 20,000 technology and business enthusiasts in Cluj. 

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The Digital Health & Wellness Summit (DHWS) will be back in Barcelona as part of 4YFN & MWC, 27 February – 2 March 2023.

For almost 10 years, the DHWS has featured the best international players and experiences of the digital transformation of Health. This year the theme is “Connecting needs & solutions globally for an emerging digital health & wellness markets“.

Real epicentre for the tech industry, MWC/4YFN brings 100,000+ people from across the world to discuss the future of technology and to showcase the latest innovative solutions.

DHWS23 is the event for you to go to if you want to:

• Meet the key healthcare leaders, providers and clinicians to understand their roadmap in terms of investment and deployment;
• Discover the latest innovative digital solutions for health and wellness;
• Identify business opportunities and projects;
• Share your knowledge and learn from a community of digital health experts from across the world.

Details and registration, here: Digital Health & Wellness Summit 2023 – ECHAlliance.

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