News Wrap-up June 2025

From the final internationalisation phase of MoonShotX to reconnecting with our alumni community at Garden Parties, June was a month of meaningful closure and fresh beginnings. We also opened new opportunities for growth through the Open Horizons Project, while continuing to build momentum with our InnovX community.

Let’s take a closer look at the highlights shaping this month, there’s a lot to catch up on. Didn’t get a chance to read our previous editions? Find them all here and stay in the loop. MoonShotX Internationalisation phase, marking the end of an inspiring first edition.

🚀 STARTUPsX by InnovX — Your Launchpad to Global Growth

Are you a start-up founder ready to scale your innovation, enter new markets, and connect with the right partners? The STARTUPsX program by InnovX is here to fast-track your journey

Built to empower early-stage innovators, STARTUPsX offers a powerful mix of:

• 🔹 Expert mentorship
• 🔹 Strategic matchmaking with investors & corporates
• 🔹 International exposure
• 🔹 Tailored growth resources

Whether you're looking to validate your business model, expand globally, or form meaningful partnerships, this is the program designed to support your next leap.

👉 Applications are now open, start your journey here. Let’s shape the future, together.

Open Horizons: The First Open Call Is Now Live

On June 11, we officially launched the first Open Call of the Open Horizons project a European Union-funded initiative designed to support women-led digital and deep tech startups as they grow and expand across borders.

If you’re a woman founder building in frontier technologies - from AI to blockchain, robotics to green tech, this is your opportunity to access funding, tailored mentoring, visibility, and a Europe-wide support network. 👉Apply now

📌 All application details, including the list of challenges and eligibility criteria, are available in the official guidelines. 🔗Check the full guidelines and info here

Why is this project important? Because despite ongoing efforts, women are still significantly underrepresented in digital and deep-tech entrepreneurship. Open Horizons is addressing this gap not just by offering access to resources, but by building bridges to investment, acceleration, and international markets, all while upholding European values around diversity, inclusion, and innovation.

Startups can choose from 17 real corporate challenges across a diverse mix of sectors, all aligned with deep-tech innovation, challenges shared by our Corporate Partners: PPC Romania, Microsoft, EY, Stahl, Holcim, Siemens, repsol, Elyaf Tekstil, LG Electronics.

The industries represented in this open call include energy and utilities, industry and engineering, chemicals and materials, sustainability, smart home and consumer tech, construction and buildings, textiles, and manufacturing.

The challenges shared by the corporate partners are real, current, and require high-potential solutions - the kind of opportunities that can lead to long-term collaboration, scaling, and growth.

To support applicants, the Open Horizons Project hosted the first Info Day Call on June 18: a dynamic session that brought together consortium partners, ecosystem leaders, and founders from across Europe. 📖Read the recap article here

Missed the #1 Info Day Call? We've got you!

Next up: a second Info Day Call takes place on July 16, offering another opportunity to engage with the team and ask questions about the program. 📅Register here for the event.

The project is driven by a strong and diverse European consortium:

• PEDAL Consulting (Slovakia) - project coordinator and innovation strategy expert
• InnovX (Romania) - top-rated EU accelerator, recognized in Financial Times’ list of best business accelerators in Europe
• Sploro (Spain) - specialists in cascade funding and gender-inclusive innovation programs
• Migros Ticaret (Türkiye) - a major retail player with a proven focus on open innovation and scaling

Whether you're just hearing about the Open Horizons Project or getting ready to submit your application, this is your moment to get informed and inspired.

📩 Got questions? 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://lnkd.in/eDFCU4wb OR 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼: info@openhorizonsproject.eu

🌐InnovX at the EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation Networking Event

Earlier this month, InnovX joined a key international dialogue on cross-continental innovation. Our Chief Growth Officer, Anca Luca, represented InnovX at the 2nd EU-LAC Innovation Cooperation Networking Event, held in Madrid on June 2–3, hosted at Google for Startups Campus and organized by Technopolis Group, ENRICH in LAC, and Tetuan Valley.

This second edition marked a major expansion, welcoming 20 new incubators and accelerators from Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Together, participants explored lessons learned from the program’s first cohort and outlined new strategies for strengthening transatlantic innovation partnerships.

Highlights included a keynote by Carole Mancel (Head of Unit for International Cooperation Europe & Americas at the European Commission) who emphasized the EU’s commitment to deepening innovation ties across regions, plus some thought-provoking sessions featuring:

• Félix López Capel (SEK Lab EdTech Accelerator) on the Spanish innovation ecosystem
• Eduardo Díaz Sánchez (Fundación para el Conocimiento madri+d), who presented the in-depth Startup Radar Madrid report
• Alejandro Barrera (Tetuan Valley), whose data-driven keynote on deep tech and sustainability stole the show
• Oscar Fernandez Moyano (CDTI Innovación - Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación) and Victoria Valbuena (INCIBE - Instituto Nacional de Ciberseguridad), who brought valuable input on funding/supporting startups to scale internationally and cybersecurity acceleration programs.

By participating, InnovX continues to foster bilateral partnerships with leading LATAM innovation hubs, strengthening our support for startups aiming for international scale and enabling deeper collaboration across continents.

Our thanks go to the European Commission, Technopolis Group, and all ecosystem partners who helped make this gathering a true platform for future-focused cooperation.

🔐ECYBRIDGE: A Stronger Cyber Europe, Together

While June marked key milestones for ongoing innovation efforts, we also continued building on momentum from previous engagements. On May 22, InnovX participated in a high-level ECYBRIDGE Roundtable, bringing together stakeholders from Romania and the Republic of Moldova to explore opportunities for cross-border collaboration in cybersecurity. The discussion highlighted the importance of shared infrastructure, capacity building, and regional cooperation in strengthening resilience across the Eastern European digital ecosystem.

One Year of Impact: ECYBRIDGE Turns One

May marked a significant milestone for ECYBRIDGE, the European project dedicated to fostering civil–military convergence in cybersecurity. As the project turned one, it celebrated a year of progress and cooperation across borders, sectors, and disciplines.

12 months. 12 major tasks. 196 expert voices. 1,000+ participants from 29 countries. Led by Constanța Maritime University, and supported by 17 consortium partners across public institutions, NATO structures, academia, industry, and NGOs, ECYBRIDGE is laying the foundation for a more connected and coordinated cyber landscape in Europe.

From high-level conferences and targeted workshops to a complex tabletop exercise, a series of webinars, and two published papers, the initiative has already become a strategic touchpoint for cyber policy and practice. InnovX is proud to support and help shape this ambitious mission.

🔗 Learn more about the project and its milestones: ECYBRIDGE Website

Shaping Cyber Policy: The First ECYBRIDGE White Paper

Coming Soon: WP8 Strategic Cybersecurity Training

Registration is now open for the second ECYBRIDGE WP8 Training: “Common and Coordinated EU Efforts”, taking place from 30 September - 2 October 2025 in a hybrid format (online and on-site in Varna, Bulgaria).

This three-day training targets cybersecurity professionals across civilian and defence sectors, focusing on EU-level incident response, crisis coordination, and strategic communication. It includes expert-led sessions, real-case simulations, and collaborative frameworks to strengthen European cyber resilience.

Register here to secure your spot. On-site registration closes on 16 September 2025. For more details, contact Markus Ilmar Münzer at markus.mynzer@risksight.io or Vahur Rähn at vahur.rahn@risksight.io.

Led by Constanta Maritime University, ECYBRIDGE unites 17 partners from across the public, private, and academic sectors in Europe. Through this collaborative framework, the project continues to drive forward its core mission: enhancing civil–military cyber convergence, strengthening EU readiness, and fostering a connected and resilient digital landscape. InnovX remains proud to actively contribute to this shared vision.

🌕MoonShotX UK Ignition: A Diplomatic Finale to a Stellar First Edition

MoonShotX took centre stage in London with UK Ignition - London Orbit, a powerful showcase at the London Stock Exchange. This landmark event demonstrated economic diplomacy in practice, bringing together 18 keynote speakers, 100+ founders, investors, corporates, and policymakers from over 10 countries, all in support of Romanian and CEE businesses.

Keynotes began with inspiring insights from:

• H.M. Giles Portman, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Romania

• H.M.T.C. Chris Barton CMG, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Europe

• H.E. Laura Popescu, Ambassador of Romania to the United Kingdom

• Axel Kalinowski, Head of CSE, London Stock Exchange

• Laura Mihaila, Director of Marketing, Communications & CX at Raiffeisen Bank Romania

• Daniel Dumitrescu, PhD., Chief Mixologist Officer Mixology.AI & Chief Innovation Officer at InnovX

Beautifully moderated by Courtney Fingar, the "Vision Ignition: Innovation × Diplomacy" session emphasized how diplomacy, entrepreneurship, and European strategic ambition align to strengthen economic resilience.

Strategic panels provided hands-on guidance:

• Soft‑Landing & Scaling in the UK, led by Cristina Dragu 🇬🇧💰🚀 (Director of Foreign Direct Investment, Europe Central at the British Embassy in Bucharest), featured H.M.A. Giles Portman, H.M.T.C Chris Barton CMG, Dace Dimza-Jones (UK National Life Sciences Expert at GREAT Trade and Investment), and Elizabeth Varley (Dealmaker, Global Entrepreneur Programme GREAT Trade and Investment), sharing a step-by-step roadmap for market entry in life sciences, microelectronics, manufacturing, and hydrogen.

• Investor Perspectives on Scaling International Companies, moderated by InnovX Chief Investment Officer, Ana Bobirca, featured Terry Mankertz (Deputy Director, Foreign Direct Investment at GREAT Trade and Investment), James Clark (ex-Molten Ventures), Petr Polach, CFA (Group Structured Finance & Investment Banking at Raiffeisen Bank International AG), and Russell Holden (Partner at DLA Piper UK), who offered a 360° strategy on investment, compliance, and readiness.

• Strategic Financial Insights, moderated by Madalina Ciinaru (Head of the Bucharest Office at the British Romanian Chamber of Commerce), included Cristian Marius Sporis (Head of Corporate Banking and Board Member at Raiffeisen Bank Romania), Andrew Seidler, (Partner at RSM UK) and Peter Double (Managing Director at Andel), dissecting funding structures, capital planning, and risk management.

Behind the scenes, Cristian Hostiuc from Ziarul Financiar conducted sit-down interviews with key figures, including H.M.A Giles Portman, Chris Barton CMG, Laura Mihaila, and Diana DUMITRESCU, PhD.. His coverage captured the depth of the discussions. Read the full article from Ziarul Financiar, here.

The day ended on a high note with the Closing Ceremony at the London Stock Exchange, where founders were officially recognised and congratulated as MoonShotX Alumni, and a plaque was presented to Raiffeisen Bank Romania, InnovX, British Embassy in Bucharest and the Department for Business and Trade, in support of GREAT Economic Diplomacy, with the occasion of concluding the first MoonShotX edition.

A celebratory cocktail reception followed, hosted in partnership with British Romanian Chamber of Commerce and the Embassy of Romania to the UK, where speeches from Ambassadors Portman and Popescu, HMTC Chris Barton, Cristian Sporiș, and Ana Bobîrcă capped off the evening.

The next day, growth-focused founders participated in a legal masterclass at DLA Piper’s London HQ. Christopher Wilson, Russell Holden, and David Thompson led a closed session covering international structuring, governance, M&A frameworks, and IPO readiness - a key step in smoothing future global scale-ups.

Finally, relive the energy of UK Ignition with the Official Aftermovie, crafted by Joel Kafetz and E20 Productions. This cinematic recap captures the ambition, connections, and international momentum of MoonShotX in action.

🚤Xplore the Lake: InnovX Community on the Water

What better way to kick off summer than with sunshine, good vibes, and great people? This June, our InnovX community came together to Xplore the Lake, a refreshing outdoor experience featuring kayaking and paddleboarding.

Beyond the fun and laughter, the event sparked some truly meaningful conversations among our members. It was the perfect setting to connect, unwind, and celebrate the spirit of innovation in a more relaxed, natural environment.

We also had the pleasure of filming a few short interviews with some of our amazing community members, including Synaptiq.io, The Simplifier, TudoPR, KOGAION COM and others. Stay tuned, we can’t wait to share their insights with you!

🎉MoonShotX Garden Party: Celebrating Success with Team, Partners & Alumni

We celebrated the closing of the first-ever MoonShotX edition with style, with a Garden Party full of sunshine, energy, and celebration. It was a moment to pause, reflect, and honor a journey defined by vision, teamwork, and shared ambition.

One year ago, MoonShotX began with a bold question: “How can we help mid-corporate companies scale internationally?” From that idea, the MoonShotX Economic Passport was born: a program built to unlock growth, scalability, and global expansion for the most ambitious companies.

The Garden Party celebration was a tribute to the incredible teams behind the scenes:

• 🎯From InnovX, heartfelt thanks go to: Diana DUMITRESCU, PhD., Anca Luca, Bianca Păcurar, Radu George Cristian, Alexandra Ionescu, Gabriel Arabu for their unwavering dedication, execution, and contagious energy.
• 🎯 From our trusted partners at Raiffeisen Bank Romania: Cristian Marius Sporis, Laura Mihaila, Sorin Suciu, Laura Ionescu, Livia Fericean, Andreea Porojan, Florentina Balasa, Liviu Mihai – for your strategic guidance, consistency, and flawless collaboration throughout this journey.

As shared by Diana DUMITRESCU, PhD., CEO of InnovX:

“The team is everything. When the team is strong, committed, and professional – results follow.”

Companies that joined us at this final celebration included: Euro Team Gb Spedition, Eco Garden Construct, ASCENDIA S.A.., Depozit Virtual | Virtual Warehouse, Essensys, WALDEVAR Energy, Alumil, SmartWrap Romania – each one bringing unmatched ambition and drive to the table.

To our community and partners – thank you. To great ideas, powerful execution, and the rare moments in the garden when we come together to reflect on just how far we’ve come. 🥂

🚀 Want to be part of the next MoonShotX delegation? Join us now: Register here

👥InnovX Community: People, Progress, and Purpose

Our community never stands still. Whether on stage, at international expos, or leading panels, they continue to innovate, scale, and make their mark across industries.

A Big Win for WALDEVAR Energy: Romania’s First Floating Solar Plant

We’re proud to celebrate WALDEVAR Energy, one of our MoonShotX alumni, for a groundbreaking achievement: being selected by Hidroelectrica SA - Romania’s largest green energy producer - to build the country’s first floating photovoltaic (FPV) power plant!

Named “Proiect Pilot Nufărul”, this pioneering project will:

• Be worth 39.2 million RON
• Deliver a 10 MW FPV system
• Be located on the reservoir lake of the Ipotești Hydropower Plant
• Generate 13.4 GWh/year
• Be completed within 14 months

Founded and owned by Aurel Șerban, WALDEVAR Energy is a fully integrated EPC contractor with over 1.5 GW of renewable capacity delivered or in development across Europe, and a growing reputation in next-generation solar.

🚀 This is a major milestone not just for WALDEVAR Energy, but for Romania’s energy future.

KFactory at Smart Manufacturing Week, Birmingham

Our community member KFactory® has been showcasing their cutting-edge industrial tech at Smart Manufacturing Week in Birmingham, joining innovators and industry leaders from across Europe. With standout presence at the Smart Factory Expo, the KFactory® team: Vlad Cazan, Adrian Dima, and Cristina D. - engaged in meaningful conversations, discovered new opportunities, and explored exciting advancements in the smart manufacturing space.

Great to see Romanian innovation making waves internationally!

easySales at dotCommerce by MerchantPro

Our InnovX community member easySales Global brought their expertise to dotCommerce by MerchantPro, where Ciprian Cazacu joined the panel “Top Performance through AI & Automation.” He shared powerful insights on how integrated automation drives growth and efficiency in the eCommerce space.

At their booth, the easySales team connected with industry peers to explore real-world automation solutions for today’s eCommerce challenges. Great energy, sharp insights, and impactful conversations!

OLSTRAL Showcases at Paris Air Show 2025

Earlier this month, OLSTRAL proudly represented Romania’s manufacturing excellence at the prestigious Paris Air Show 2025. Together with Alexandru Itu, the team spotlighted their advanced capabilities in the aviation and defense sectors.

This global stage offered an incredible opportunity to connect with key players in the industry and explore new collaborations. We’re proud to see Community members like OLSTRAL continuing to elevate Romanian tech on the international front. ✈️

EURO Team GB Spedition at Transport Logistic 2025 – Embracing the Digital Road Ahead

MoonShotX alumni, Euro Team Gb Spedition, made their mark at Messe München during Transport Logistic 2025. On Day 2, the team took part in high-level discussions, including the opening conference and a key session on “Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience through Digital Technologies.”

Their presence at one of the world’s premier logistics events highlighted a clear message: the future of logistics is digital, proactive, and partnership-driven. With valuable insights and new global connections, Euro Team Gb Spedition is clearly steering toward smarter, faster logistics solutions.

Carfix at Claims Summit 2025 – Driving Innovation in Automotive Claims

One of our standout InnovX community members, Carfix App, recently took part in #ClaimsSummit25, where the future of automotive claims is being reshaped. Alongside GT Motive Romania, the Carfix App team engaged with top industry leaders, exchanging insights and exploring new innovations shaping the next generation of claims management.

From smarter processes to enhanced partnerships, Carfix App continues to drive the digital transformation of the automotive sector, one solution at a time.

Carfix at Fleet Convention 2025 – Driving the Future of Fleet Management

We’re proud to spotlight our community member Carfix App, represented by Sorin IACOB, Founder & CEO, at the prestigious Fleet Convention 2025 held at the iconic Hofburg Palace in Vienna.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the event gathered top fleet management experts and industry leaders to explore the future of fleet operations. From e-mobility myths and bidirectional charging to dynamic pricing and operational efficiency, the agenda was packed with strategic insights and data-driven discussions.

Sorin joined the conversation, contributing Carfix App's vision for innovation in mobility and automotive claims, while engaging with a global network of professionals shaping the next chapter in fleet management.

Kudos to the Carfix App team for their continued impact across the mobility ecosystem!

QuickLegal at South Summit 2025 – Connecting with Europe’s Most Vibrant Startup Ecosystem

Our InnovX community member QuickLegal made their mark in Madrid at #SouthSummit25, one of Europe’s most exciting innovation events. Represented by Bianca Adelina Florea and Iulia Andritoiu Caizer, Co-Founders - the team immersed themselves in a vibrant ecosystem of founders, investors, and ecosystem builders gathered at La Nave.

With strong public-private collaboration and a clear focus on impactful innovation, the summit provided the perfect platform to exchange ideas and explore new opportunities. QuickLegal continues to grow its presence across Europe building legal-tech solutions at the heart of where change happens.

Bento at ExpoApa 2025 – Powering Digital Transformation in the Water Sector

Our MoonShotX alumni Bento - Intellectually Curious made a strong presence at ExpoApa 2025 in Bucharest, showcasing their innovative solutions for the utilities sector. Over the course of three high-energy days at ROMEXPO, Bento - Intellectually Curious highlighted how Bento FSM and Bento LIMS are actively contributing to streamlining operations, increasing transparency, and improving service delivery in the water industry.

With each year, their presence at ExpoApa has grown stronger, mirroring the rising openness within the industry toward digital transformation. It’s a proud moment to see more and more utility companies choosing Bento as their trusted partner for innovation.

We’re thrilled to see their ongoing impact and leadership in driving the digital future of critical infrastructure.

RAP Tronic at CAPEX & Project Portfolio Management Forum – Building Smarter, Stronger Project Ecosystems

Another great spotlight from our MoonShotX Alumni: Bogdan Urdea represented RAP Tronic Process Engineering in Berlin at the prestigious Marcus Evans Group CAPEX & Project Portfolio Management Forum, supporting John M Walker during the interactive workshop “It’s All About Your Investment Projects!”

The event brought together top-tier project and investment professionals to tackle the biggest challenges in CAPEX execution, from aligning stakeholders to refining long-term strategy.

Key takeaways highlighted by Bogdan Urdea:

• 🔹 Trust-based supplier collaboration is the foundation of successful CAPEX execution
• 🔹 AI and digital tools are essential to bridge technical and financial data
• 🔹 Strategic clarity and resource prioritization unlock better project outcomes

At RAP Tronic Process Engineering, long-term thinking and openness remain central to how they work - with clients, partners, and suppliers alike. We're proud to see our alumni shaping the future of process engineering and capital investment across Europe!

☀️ Wrapping Up: Summer Mode: ON, Vision Mode: Always ON

As summer settles in and many of us take a well-deserved break, we know that this season isn’t just for vacations, but it's also a time to pause, reflect, and realign.

While the pace may slow down, the spark of innovation doesn’t. Whether you're by the lake, up in the mountains, or simply enjoying a quiet moment between meetings, now is the perfect time to think ahead:

🌱 What seeds are you planting today for a stronger, smarter fall?

🚀 How will you accelerate your business, your vision, your impact?

We can’t wait to see what bold steps our community will take when autumn comes calling. Until then - rest, recharge, and dream big. The next chapter is just around the corner.

Stay inspired, stay curious, stay connected.

The InnovX Team 💡✨