TechAngels Romania

We wish all of our Romanian #founders, #startup teams, peers, partners, #angelinvestors and their loved ones all the very best for the celebration of Romania’s National Day! #growingtogether, collaborating, working hard, using the talent and the experience gathered, the connections and the knowledge, we can support our tech ecosystem become what it can be – thriving, relevant with #10unicornsin10years born and raised in our region. #HappyNationalDay #dreambig #TechAngels  

The tech ecosystem is getting stronger every year ( this year were publicly announced by Romanian founded/cofounded startups 71 rounds of over 250 million euro) but its growth depends on open collaboration, connections and financing to support reaching global markets. To ensure these a predictable and solid democratic framework is a prerequisite. More about #TechAngels stance on this ⬇ #growingtogether #growsmart #smartgrowth #angelinvestors #startups  

In times of heightened uncertainty, such as during election cycles, it’s natural for startups to feel the ripple effects of potential shifts in economic landscapes. Here’s a playbook of timeless advice to help tech startups stay resilient and focused, no matter the external pressures: ➡Stay close with your angel investors. If have some angel investors on board, call them, talk to them. Share what are your concerns. They can guide you with their experience in how to mange uncertainty, help you keep the team motivated and maybe offer you some strategic insights. ➡Adapt quickly & embrace change. "In a world that’s changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks." – Mark Zuckerberg.💡 Flexibility is your greatest asset. Whether it's adapting your business model or exploring new markets, embrace change as an opportunity to innovate and stay relevant. ➡Focus on customer needs & value "Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning." – Bill Gates.💡 Double down on listening to your customers. Their needs might shift in uncertain times, and responding to them with empathy and tailored solutions will position you as a trusted partner. ➡Stay committed to your vision - "About half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance." – Steve Jobs.💡 Even when external events create challenges, your long-term vision should act as your guiding star. Short-term challenges don’t define your future; resilience does. ➡Safeguard financial stability💡 Prioritize smart cash flow management. Tighten spending, diversify revenue streams, and secure contingency plans. Stability is key when external factors become unpredictable. ➡Anchor your team in purpose💡 Uncertainty can create anxiety, so make sure your team feels supported and aligned with your mission. Regular communication, celebration of wins, and opportunities for collaboration can keep morale high. ✨ While external forces might feel beyond your control, your startup’s adaptability, customer-centricity, and resilience can empower you to thrive, even in turbulent times. Focus on building solutions that transcend momentary shifts and prepare for long-term success. 🌐🚀 #growingtogether #angelinvestors #startups #resilience #leadership #customerFocus #techinnovation

What a splendid late afternoon we had at ROTSA (Romanian Tech Startups Association) Startup Awards, seeing the winners, talking about collaboration within the ecosystem and reviewing the stories of hard work over the year. Congrats to the winners Veridion (two categories winners, bravo!) Creatopy, Unfrosen, Fagura, Bloomcoding, bonapp.eco, LENDOX, @SOLO Fintech, @YOUNI, Rayscape Arcanna.ai Ultragreens FigVision Spark Generation RENERGIA teams, each leading in their respective categories, excellent work and happy to see your efforts recognized. #proudpartners #growingtogether #startups #angelinvestors

#TechWeekIReview points to almost 3 million dollars financing rounds opened and a steady focus on international development. ➡BeeFast, a startup specializing in fast delivery services, has recently secured $450,000 in funding. This investment will support BeeFast's plans for international expansion, enabling the company to develop its infrastructure and improve its services to compete in external markets. BeeFast focuses on fast delivery services, emphasizing efficiency and promptness. ➡Fagura, a fintech platform connecting entrepreneurs and investors has secured €1 million in funding through convertible notes. This round was led by investment funds alongside angel investors. The capital will support Fagura's expansion in Central and Eastern Europe and the development of innovative digital financial services tailored for freelancers and small entrepreneurs. Planned initiatives include integrating artificial intelligence for credit scoring, launching banking accounts and cards for entrepreneurs, implementing gamification through tokenized rewards, and collaborating with e-commerce platforms and accounting firms to enhance their service ecosystem. ➡Swisspod Technologies closed a €1.6 million Series A funding round (out of which €200,000 through SeedBlink. ) The startup is dedicated to making hyperloop transportation a reality, aiming to enable ground-level travel at speeds comparable to flying. Founded in 2019 and based in Switzerland, Swisspod operates in the logistics technology (LogTech) sector, focusing on business-to-business (B2B) solutions. This round was structured via a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and was led by angel investors. #growingtogether #startups #angelinvestors

#FridayReco 📢Save your spot ⬇for the November 26th first Romanian Startup Awards gala by ROTSA (Romanian Tech Startups Association) and be a witness at the birth of a new tradition. There are 14 categories recognizing startups and founders in all sectors where technology is driving change, this means everything from agriculture to health, finance, environment and commerce. Come see the ecosystem shine and connect with peers, entrepreneurs, #angelinvestors ( #TechAngels is a #proudpartner), #VCs, tech supporters, ideas creators, storytellers and more. #RomanianStartupAwards #growingtogether

@Sibiu Startup HUB by Sibiu IT Cluster, during a PitchPerfect session, we met a vibrant community, interesting people and interesting ideas. Every such gathering, idea exchange is an opportunity for growth and a step closer to igniting those #10unicornsin10years in the region. It was a strongly #TechAngels represented panel, and an occasion to see how the many hats of an angel investor work. Marius Istrate, Chairman of the Board, mentor with a strong portfolio, former UiPath and entrepreneur, Andrei Dudoiu and Vlad Sarca, representing SeedBlink and SparkingCapital, both also members of #TechAngels, former VPs and with lots of corporate and investment experience, moderated by Radu Hasan co-founder at SmartBill and member of TechAngels too. For startups this means that with just one pitch they may hit more targets. (Here ⬇ also with our gracious panel colleagues and hosts Daniel Reisenauer and Catalin M.) So, do not hesitate to sign up for a pitch with us, it is quite simple, just fill in the www.techangels.ro form. #growingtogether #founders #angelinvestors #startups #VCs

#GoodAdvice from the negotiator point of view, summarized by Sabin Gilceava, VP of #TechAngels. Tips for how one can navigate negotiations with investors in the current market climate, where investment funds are more selective. 💡Prove the value and results, not just present promises. 💡Demonstrate concrete results rather than vague plans. Showing evidence of success is more persuasive to investors. 💡How you communicate is just as important as what you say. Nonverbal signals often carry more weight than words. Confidence and consistency in body language are critical. 💡Using tentative language like “we think we might reach” instead of definitive statements undermines credibility. Clear, confident communication is essential. 💡Be honest about the limitations and seek "smart money," which includes mentorship, connections, and strategic advice in addition to funding. 💡Stand out in pitches: Investors are used to hearing standard pitches. Start-ups must present unique, credible, and engaging narratives to differentiate themselves. More, in the full interview ⬇

The 2024 "State of European Tech" by Atomico reflects a decade of transformation in the European tech ecosystem, highlighting its strengths and ongoing challenges. It also underscores Europe's potential to become a global tech superpower, provided it addresses existing challenges through bold reforms and sustained innovation. ➡ Growth in capital and talent: Venture capital investment grew 10x over the past decade, reaching $426B between 2015 and 2024, despite 2024's funding of $45B being slightly below 2023 levels. Europe's tech workforce expanded to 3.5 million, with a 24% CAGR since 2015, attracting more talent than ever. ➡ Expansion: Early-stage companies surged from 7,800 in 2015 to over 35,000 in 2024, complemented by a growing number of unicorns. ➡ Funding challenges: Europe faces a $375B growth-stage funding gap compared to the U.S., partly due to limited investment from European pension funds. ➡ Sector Strengths: Europe leads in sustainability, with 21% of tech funding focused on green initiatives double the U.S. share. It remains a global leader in fintech and deep tech. ➡ Key challenges: Bureaucratic and regulatory hurdles, fragmented markets, and talent shortages remain significant barriers. Reforms to simplify cross-border operations and incentivize innovation may open new development paths. More in the full report https://lnkd.in/dQK__DQq #growingtogether #startups #angelinvestors

According to the freshly launched study about the profile of the tech founders, by EY and Endeavor Romania, half of Romanian entrepreneurs in the technology sector start their businesses before the age of 25, with 11% starting even before turning 18. ➡️Most have a high level of education, with 90% holding at least a bachelor’s degree, primarily in technical fields (45%) and finance or economics (29%). ➡️They adopt an international approach, with 53% of businesses having a global orientation, and favor collaborative initiatives, which have a higher success rate (80%) compared to solo ventures (20%). ➡️Despite their resilience and adaptability, Romanian tech entrepreneurs face significant challenges, particularly in securing external funding. Many prefer to retain private control (95%), which limits growth potential. Initial capital predominantly comes from personal funds (42%), followed by angel investors (19%) and venture capital funds (15%). ➡️Romania’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is marked by ambition, strategic planning, and resilience, showcasing significant innovative potential. Here #TechAngels mission of reaching #10unicornsin10years fits perfectly, both on the strategy and the ambition part🤝🚀 . #growingtogether #startups #angelinvestors #growsmart