That’s a wrap from Washington D.C.!
Somewhere between strategic meetings, investor conversations, diplomatic dialogue, and a late-night visit to the “Destination Moon” exhibition, the MoonShotX U.S. Delegation journey started to feel symbolic in more ways than one. Because at its core, MoonShotX has always been about ambition: stepping into unfamiliar territory, building meaningful connections, and helping Romanian companies move confidently toward bigger international opportunities.
After several intense days of ecosystem-building opportunities, the MoonShotX U.S. Delegation officially completed its 2026 internationalization journey at the SelectUSA Investment Summit, the highest-profile event in the United States dedicated to foreign direct investment.
Against this backdrop, MoonShotX arrived in Washington D.C. with a delegation of 6 Romanian mid-corporate companies and 20 delegates, bringing together founders, corporate leaders, banking representatives, legal advisors, media partners, and innovation ecosystem builders around one shared objective: accelerating the international expansion of Romanian businesses into the U.S. market and beyond.
Here’s a closer look at the people, conversations, and moments that shaped the MoonShotX U.S. Delegation experience in 2026.
Meet the MoonShotX US Delegation: Parapet (Paul Moldovan, Alexandru Mina, Roxana Gureanu),Quartz Matrix ( Bogdan Suchar, Mihai Suchar ), Wolf-e Robotics (Stefan Toma, Renate Strihan ), Verla (Vlad Verzea), Răzvan Idicel (Razvan Rusu), Frontera Trading (Andu Stancu), Raiffeisen Bank Romania (Cristian Marius Sporis, Sorin Suciu , Laura Mihaila , Liviu Mihai), (Daniel Dumitrescu, PhD., Diana DUMITRESCU, PhD. & Ana Bobirca), DLA Piper Romania (Cristina Bucur), Ziarul Financiar (Ramona Cornea )
Day 1: Landing in the U.S. Innovation Arena
The MoonShotX delegation officially landed in Washington D.C., marking the beginning of several intense days dedicated to international expansion, strategic networking, and direct exposure to one of the world’s most important investment ecosystems.
The first day centered around the opening activities of the SelectUSA Investment Summit, the premier U.S. event focused on foreign direct investment and cross-border business growth. This year’s summit brought together more than 5,500 participants, including over 2,700 business investors and representatives from 100+ international markets, alongside +1,000 economic development organizations from across the United States, creating one of the world’s most important environments for global business expansion and cross-border collaboration.
For the MoonShotX delegation, this day was more than just the start of an event agenda. It marked the beginning of direct conversations around scaling Romanian companies internationally and understanding what it truly takes to enter one of the world’s most competitive and dynamic markets.
The day started with registration and the first Industry Spotlight sessions hosted at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, where delegation members explored sector-specific insights tailored to industries such as renewable energy, smart technologies, robotics, manufacturing, retail innovation, and premium consumer products.
These sessions offered valuable perspectives into U.S. market dynamics, investment priorities, expansion pathways, and industry-specific opportunities, helping participating companies better understand the ecosystems they aim to enter in the near future.
At the same time, the atmosphere across the summit already reflected the scale and international reach of SelectUSA: thousands of delegates, dozens of parallel conversations, and a constant flow of meetings between founders, investors, corporations, and public-sector representatives from around the world.
And this was only the beginning.
📅 Day 2: Diplomacy, Strategic Partnerships & Romanian Companies on the Move
If Day 1 was about entering the SelectUSA ecosystem, Day 2 became one of the defining moments of the MoonShotX U.S. Delegation journey.
Hosted at the Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C., the MoonShotX Romania – U.S. Economic Forum brought together over 70 participants, including ambassadors, institutional leaders, economic development organizations, investors, corporate representatives, founders, and ecosystem builders, for an evening dedicated to strengthening Romania - U.S. business and investment collaboration.
Organized by InnovX as part of the MoonShotX U.S. Delegation agenda, the Romania - US Economic Forum created a space where diplomacy, capital, market access, and entrepreneurial ambition met in the same room, generating concrete conversations around expansion, partnerships, and long-term transatlantic collaboration.
Opening Remarks: Strengthening the Romania – U.S. Strategic Relationship
The evening opened with remarks from two key diplomatic voices, setting the tone for a discussion centered on trust, economic cooperation, and the growing potential of Romanian companies in the U.S. market.
- H.E. Darryl Nirenberg, Ambassador of the United States of America to Romania. His opening remarks highlighted the importance of the Romania–U.S. relationship as a foundation for stronger economic cooperation, encouraging business dialogue and deeper collaboration between the two markets.
- H.E. Andrei Muraru, Ambassador of Romania to the United States of America. Representing Romania’s voice in Washington D.C., Ambassador Muraru emphasized the strategic relevance of Romanian companies entering the U.S. conversation and the role of economic diplomacy in opening doors for long-term partnerships.
The Romanian – U.S. Strategic Partnership: From Dialogue to Real Market Access
The conversation continued with “The Romanian – U.S. Strategic Partnership”, a session presented by Daniel Dumitrescu, PhD. , Chief Innovation Officer at InnovX, and Laura Mihaila, Director of Marketing, Communication & CX at Raiffeisen Bank Romania & MoonShotX Program.
This part of the forum brought together Romanian institutional and business perspectives alongside U.S. economic development leaders, creating a practical bridge between policy, capital, market access, and execution.
- Clara Volintiru , State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, added an important institutional perspective on Romania’s international positioning and the role of foreign affairs in strengthening economic cooperation between Romania and the United States.
- Cristian Marius Sporis , VP Corporate and Investment Banking, Member of Board of Directors, Raiffeisen Bank Romania & Head of MoonShotX Program. Cristian Sporiș emphasized the strategic role of MoonShotX as a platform designed to support mature Romanian companies in their international expansion journeys, connecting banking, business growth, and global ambition.
- Ana Bobirca , Chief Investment Officer, InnovX, brought the investment and ecosystem perspective, highlighting the importance of connecting Romanian businesses with capital, partners, and international growth infrastructure.
- Ricardo Benn , Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Commerce , offered insight into Maryland’s business environment and the state-level support available for international companies exploring U.S. expansion.
- Hannah Loftus , Vice President, Research Center, World Business Chicago shared the Chicago perspective, highlighting the region’s economic strengths, business ecosystem, and opportunities for international companies looking to scale in the U.S.
- Caleb Rhodes , Vice President, International Trade, Arizona Commerce Authority , brought Arizona’s perspective on international trade, market entry, and the strategic opportunities available for companies exploring expansion across high-growth U.S. regions.
- Mary Schreiber Swenson PhD , President, World Trade Center Delaware - highlighted the role of trade organizations in connecting companies with practical support, business networks, and international market-entry opportunities.
- Alina Harastasanu , Director of European Business Development, JobsOhio - offered a clear view into Ohio’s business development ecosystem and the ways European companies can access regional opportunities, incentives, and expansion support.
- Ryan Starks , President, Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah) , brought Utah’s perspective on economic development, business attraction, and the state’s growing relevance for companies looking to build a U.S. presence.
- Jared Chalk , Chief Business Development Officer, Hampton Roads Alliance, presented Hampton Roads as a strategic region for business development, emphasizing regional assets, infrastructure, and opportunities for international companies.
- [Bogdan Vaduva](Bogdan Vaduva) , Director of Business Investment, Greater Baltimore Committee - contributed insight into Baltimore’s investment landscape and the role of local economic organizations in helping companies identify the right expansion pathways.
- Christopher Radich , VP of Customer Success in the U.S., UiPath , brought the perspective of a global Romanian-founded technology company with strong U.S. presence, offering a relevant example of how Romanian innovation can scale internationally.
Together, these interventions turned the session into a practical map of U.S. market access: regional opportunities, state-level support, business incentives, industry networks, policy context, and the strategic partnerships needed to move from interest to execution.
MoonShotX: Romanian Innovators on the Move
The second half of the evening shifted the focus from institutional dialogue to the companies themselves.
Presented by Diana DUMITRESCU, PhD. , Chief Executive Officer at InnovX, and Sorin Suciu , Executive Director – Mid Corporates & Public Sector at Raiffeisen Bank Romania, the session “MoonShotX: Romanian Innovators on the Move” brought into the spotlight the Romanian companies participating in the U.S. delegation.
Through a series of concise founder speeches, each company stepped onto the stage not simply to present a business but to share a broader vision for international growth, market positioning, and long-term expansion into the United States.
Beyond numbers and capabilities, the interventions reflected the mindset, experience, and ambitions behind each company: how they were built, what challenges they are solving, why they believe their solutions matter internationally, and how they aim to create meaningful partnerships within one of the world’s most competitive business environments.
- Paul Moldovan , Founder, Parapet presented Parapet’s evolution from a Romanian renewable energy EPC player into a company with global ambitions. He emphasized that Parapet is not entering the U.S. market to “conquer” it, but to understand, build partnerships, and create long-term value. His speech also introduced LUCID, Parapet ’s digital operating system for renewable infrastructure, positioning energy not only as a climate priority, but as a strategic shield against volatility and insecurity.
- Bogdan Suchar , Chief Strategy Officer, Quartz Matrix , introduced QLEAP, Quartz Matrix ’s IoT platform that unifies energy, maintenance, and operational data into one system. His presentation focused on the need for measurable ROI, predictive insights, and scalable industrial efficiency solutions in a U.S. market shaped by high energy demand and increasing sustainability pressure.
- Stefan Toma , Co-Founder & CEO, Wolf-e Robotics , presented Wolf-e OS, a manufacturer-agnostic IoT platform designed for UVC disinfection compliance in hospitals. His intervention positioned Wolf-e Robotics at the intersection of healthcare, deep-tech, compliance, and audit-ready outcomes, with the U.S. market representing a major opportunity for first-mover positioning.
- Vlad Verzea , Chief Business Officer, Verla , presented Verla as a 32-year-old wholesale distributor in signage materials, describing the company as “the Amazon of signage materials.” His presentation outlined a clear U.S. expansion strategy focused on acquiring regional distributors and building a greenfield hub in North Carolina.
- Razvan Rusu , Founder, Răzvan Idicel brought a different kind of entrepreneurial story to the stage, one rooted in craftsmanship, tradition, and authenticity. Based in Idicel Pădure, in Transylvania, his company preserves old cooking methods using cauldrons and open fire, with the ambition to find the right U.S. partner, influencer, and traditional kitchen to bring the same honest products to American soil.
- Andu Stancu , CEO, Frontera Trading highlighted Frontera’s 30-year journey in premium bakery and functional foods. With over 100,000 people served daily, 27 retail bakeries, and a strong B2B network, Frontera Trading is exploring the U.S. food industry with the long-term goal of identifying market needs and potentially opening a production facility in the United States.
Together, the company presentations reflected the diversity and maturity of the MoonShotX delegation: renewable energy infrastructure, industrial technology, healthcare robotics, signage and distribution, artisanal food production, and functional bakery products, all united by the same ambition to scale beyond borders.
The evening continued with an extended Business Networking Session, where conversations moved beyond the stage and into direct exchanges between Romanian founders, U.S. institutional representatives, investors, economic development organizations, legal advisors, and business leaders.
What made this part of the forum especially valuable was the diversity of perspectives gathered in the same room. Discussions ranged from market-entry strategies and regional expansion opportunities to operational challenges, partnerships, investment structures, and long-term positioning within the U.S. ecosystem.
For many of the participating companies, these interactions represented one of the most important aspects of the entire delegation: the opportunity to engage directly with the people, organizations, and ecosystems capable of transforming international ambition into actionable next steps.
Day 3: Diplomacy, Connections & Building Long-Term Partnerships
The third day of the MoonShotX U.S. Delegation continued inside the fast-paced environment of the SelectUSA Investment Summit, where conversations, meetings, and strategic interactions continued to expand throughout the day.
As thousands of participants** moved between industry sessions, networking spaces, matchmaking meetings, and investment discussions,** the summit itself became a real-time map of how international business relationships are built: through access, visibility, dialogue, and the ability to connect the right people at the right moment.
For the MoonShotX delegation, this day was about deepening conversations already started during the first days of the summit, while also opening new opportunities for collaboration with U.S. institutions, economic development organizations, business representatives, and international partners.
Among the important interactions shaping the delegation’s SelectUSA experience were discussions and exchanges involving Monica Eremia , Commercial Specialist at U.S. Commercial Service , Manuel-Iulian Cazac , U.S. Relations Director at AmCham Romania , and Omar Oweiss from the U.S. Department of Commerce , each contributing to the broader dialogue around international business collaboration, market access, and Romania–U.S. economic connections.
Throughout the day, delegation members continued exploring state-level expansion opportunities, industry ecosystems, regional incentives, operational realities, and partnership models capable of supporting long-term U.S. market entry.
Beyond the conference agenda itself, what became increasingly visible was the importance of relationship-building inside environments like SelectUSA. Conversations no longer revolved only around introductions, but around execution, compatibility, scalability, and the practical realities of entering one of the world’s most competitive markets.
As the summit activities concluded for the day, the evening transitioned into a more intimate and symbolic setting: a special Cocktail Reception hosted at the Embassy of Romania to the United States.
The Embassy Reception: Where Diplomacy Meets Entrepreneurship
Hosted in Washington D.C., the reception brought together members of the MoonShotX delegation alongside diplomats, institutional representatives, business leaders, ecosystem partners, investors, and guests connected to the Romania - U.S. economic relationship.
The atmosphere reflected one of the strongest themes of the entire delegation: the growing alignment between Romanian entrepreneurial ambition and the institutional ecosystems supporting international expansion.
Opening Remarks & Institutional Perspectives
Several key voices contributed to the evening’s discussions, offering perspectives on diplomacy, international cooperation, entrepreneurship, and the role of Romanian companies in cross-border economic growth.
- H.E. Andrei Muraru, Ambassador of Romania to the United States, welcomed the delegation and emphasized the importance of strengthening Romania–U.S. economic ties through entrepreneurship, innovation, and direct business collaboration. His remarks reinforced the growing visibility of Romanian companies within international markets and the value of sustained diplomatic support for global expansion initiatives.
- Clara Volintiru , State Secretary within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania. She spoke about the importance of international economic cooperation and the role of institutional frameworks in supporting Romanian businesses expanding abroad. Her intervention highlighted how diplomacy, economic policy, and entrepreneurship increasingly work together to create stronger international opportunities for Romanian companies.
We also extend our appreciation to Bogdan Lupas for his continued support throughout the delegation and for contributing to the broader dialogue connecting Romanian companies with the U.S. business and institutional ecosystem.
Conversations Beyond the Stage
One of the defining aspects of the evening was the atmosphere itself.
Unlike formal conference sessions, the reception created room for more personal and direct exchanges between founders, diplomats, institutional representatives, investors, ecosystem partners, and international business stakeholders. Conversations moved naturally between market expansion, investment opportunities, operational challenges, partnerships, and long-term positioning within the U.S. ecosystem.
The evening also created opportunities for valuable exchanges with members of the broader U.S. investment and venture ecosystem, including Anca Burke, venture capital advisor focused on SaaS, AI technologies, and hardware investments.
For the MoonShotX companies, these moments represented an essential part of the delegation experience: not only visibility, but access to the kinds of environments where trust, alignment, and long-term strategic relationships begin to form organically.
As the night unfolded inside the Embassy of Romania in Washington D.C., one thing became increasingly clear: international expansion is not built only through presentations and meetings, but through credibility, consistency, institutional support, and the ability to create meaningful relationships across industries, ecosystems, and borders.
📅 Day 4: Legal Strategy, AI, Relationships & Understanding the U.S. Market
The final day of the** MoonShotX U.S. Delegation** brought the conversation into one of the most important areas of international expansion: understanding the legal, operational, and strategic realities of entering the U.S. market.
After several days of ecosystem exposure, institutional dialogue, networking, and strategic meetings, the delegation concluded its Washington D.C. journey with a dedicated session hosted by DLA Piper US LLP, focused on the complexities companies face when scaling internationally.
DLA Piper: Navigating the U.S. Market Beyond the Surface
Hosted at the Washington D.C. offices of DLA Piper , the session offered founders and delegation members a practical deep dive into the legal and regulatory frameworks shaping business expansion into the United States.
The discussions explored topics ranging from compliance structures, tax considerations, corporate setup, and cross-border operations to broader conversations around scalability, market positioning, risk management, and the long-term realities of operating in one of the world’s most competitive business environments.
What made the session particularly valuable was its direct and honest perspective on what international growth actually requires beyond ambition: structure, preparation, adaptability, and the ability to navigate increasingly complex business ecosystems.
A major theme throughout the conversations was the growing impact of artificial intelligence on business operations and international competitiveness. Discussions touched on how companies are increasingly being challenged not only to adopt AI tools, but to strategically integrate them into operational workflows, decision-making, efficiency models, and long-term business infrastructure.
The session also reinforced another idea that repeatedly emerged throughout the entire MoonShotX delegation experience: international expansion is ultimately built on relationships.
Beyond regulations, contracts, and market-entry strategies, long-term growth depends on trust, alignment, credibility, and the quality of partnerships companies are able to build across borders.
The delegation was honored to engage in an open discussion with Richard Burr Principal Policy Advisor at DLA Piper , whose perspectives added valuable insight into the realities of the U.S. business landscape, the current economic environment, and the opportunities and challenges international companies face while entering the American market.
A special thank you goes to Cristina Bucur for supporting the MoonShotX delegation throughout the U.S. journey, as well as to the DLA Piper US LLP Washington office for once again hosting and facilitating this important dialogue.
More than a legal briefing, the session became a strategic checkpoint, helping participating companies better understand not only how to enter the U.S. market, but how to do so responsibly, sustainably, and with long-term vision.
Visit to the World Bank Group
As part of the final day in Washington D.C., the delegation also had the opportunity to visit the World Bank Group, adding another meaningful perspective to the broader conversations taking place throughout the U.S. journey.
The visit offered a symbolic reminder of the larger global context surrounding innovation, infrastructure, economic development, sustainability, and international growth, themes that remained present throughout the entire delegation experience.
For the participating companies, moments like these reinforced the importance of thinking beyond immediate expansion goals and understanding how global institutions, economic systems, and international collaboration continue to shape the future of business worldwide.
Looking Ahead: The Journey Continues
As the MoonShotX U.S. Delegation comes to an end, one thing remains clear: international expansion is not a single event, a single meeting, or a single market-entry conversation. It is a long-term process built through relationships, exposure, strategic partnerships, and the courage to continuously step into new ecosystems.
A special thank you goes to Ziarul Financiar , the official media partner supporting the MoonShotX U.S. Delegation journey, and especially to Ramona Cornea for the continued support, media coverage, and the series of interviews conducted throughout the delegation experience.
Following the delegation, Ziarul Financiar published two extensive features capturing the strategic discussions, institutional perspectives, and international ambitions shaping the MoonShotX Romania – U.S. Economic Forum.
The first article explored the broader Romania–U.S. economic dialogue, bringing together perspectives from ambassadors, institutional leaders, U.S. economic development representatives, and Romanian business leaders, while highlighting the growing momentum behind Romanian companies looking to scale internationally.
The second article focused more deeply on the companies participating in the delegation and their expansion plans across sectors such as renewable energy, industrial technology, robotics, manufacturing, signage infrastructure, and premium food production.
Together, they captured one of the most important themes of the delegation: Romanian companies are increasingly entering the U.S. conversation not only with ambition, but with mature business models, international experience, and concrete scaling strategies.
Throughout the week, conversations with founders, institutional representatives, and ecosystem leaders helped capture not only the business side of the delegation, but also the vision, ambition, and international mindset driving Romanian companies forward.
Stay tuned - more interviews, insights, and perspectives from the MoonShotX U.S. Delegation will soon be released.
We would also like to extend our appreciation to the Raiffeisen Bank Romania team for their continued partnership, strategic support, and involvement throughout the delegation: Cristian Marius Sporis , Sorin Suciu , Laura Mihaila , Liviu Mihai , and Florentina Balasa.
At the same time, a heartfelt thank you goes to the InnovX team for the coordination, preparation, logistics, communication, and execution behind the entire delegation: Diana DUMITRESCU, PhD. , Daniel Dumitrescu, PhD. , Ana Bobirca , Bianca Păcurar , George Cristian Radu and Alexandra Ionescu.
At the heart of the entire MoonShotX journey stands something that goes beyond business expansion: community.
Because internationalization is not built in isolation. It grows through trust, shared knowledge, strategic relationships, and the willingness of people, institutions, partners, founders, and ecosystems to support one another across borders.
One of the strongest takeaways from the U.S. delegation was the reminder that meaningful growth happens when ambitious companies are surrounded by the right conversations, the right people, and the right environments capable of opening doors, accelerating opportunities, and transforming individual ambitions into collective momentum.
Behind every meeting, event, conversation, and partnership stands an enormous amount of preparation, coordination, and teamwork, all driven by one shared mission: helping Romanian companies scale internationally and connect with global opportunities.
And the journey does not stop here.
The next chapter of the MoonShotX internationalization journey continues in Vienna, where the focus shifts toward the DACH and CEE markets through MoonShotX Vienna Orbit.
Join us for the next stage of the journey here: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7447227924778221569/?viewAsMember=true
— MoonShotX Team