The May edition of the Catalyst Romania Newsletter
We are excited to share updates on our latest activities and insights from our team and from our portfolio companies. Stay tuned for more news on our investments!
š dotLumen: A Romanian Deeptech Startup Making History š
For the first time, a Romanian deeptech startup is a finalist in the global Tech For Change Challenge at VivaTech 2025: dotLumen, one of our most recent investments.
š Based in Cluj-Napoca, dotLumen develops assistive technologies that empower visually impaired individuals with greater freedom of movement. The Tech For Change award recognises the Companyās achievement of bringing global attention to a mission rooted in deep science, empathy, and social impact.
š Built in Romania, backed by Europe
dotLumenās team turned pioneering research into life-changing productsādesigned and manufactured in Romania, now carrying both the EU flag and the label “Designed and Made in Romania.”
š This is more than a product. It’s proof that:
- Romania can innovate at the highest international standards, making waves on the global stageāand inspire the next generation of deeptech founders.
- European funding can fuel breakthrough technology with real-world impact.
š Congratulations to the entire dotLumen team for representing Romania at VivaTech 2025 and for building technology that changes lives.
š The Future Is Already Here ā Powered by Footprints AI š
šļø Carrefour RomĆ¢nia joins the Footprints AI Retail Media Ecosystem
Weāre excited to share that Carrefour RomĆ¢nia has partnered with Footprints AI, joining the largest and fastest-growing retail media ecosystem in the region. This strategic collaboration enables Carrefour to:
- Monetise shopper data through a premium, closedāloop media offering.
- Equip brandsāÆandāÆagencies with deterministic targeting across ināstore screens, onāsite, and offāsite channels – backed by transparent measurement and live optimisation.
- Unlock a new highāmargin revenue stream without extra CAPEX or headcount.
By transforming real-time in-store behaviour into privacy-safe audiences, omnichannel ad delivery, and SKU-level attribution, Footprints AI helps retailers unlock high-margin revenue from their own first-party data.
š¤ Why retail media is reshaping advertisingāDan Marc at Retail Media Summit
At the recent Retail Media Summit in Bucharest, hosted by Footprints AI, CEO & Co-Founder Dan Marc pointed out a clear vision: by 2030, in-store shopper data will be the most valuable asset in advertising.Ā
In a short video interview, he explained how Footprints AI:
- Offers a full-stack, privacy-first platform deployable in under 3 months.
- Bridges online and offline experiences with live measurement and optimization.
- Supports the industry through shared standards, practical learning resources, and recurring international events.
Watch the video here!
š§ Data. Sensors. Real-world behaviour. The science behind retail media
Moreover, in an in-depth interview with Economedia, Dan Marc gave a behind-the-scenes look at the powerful infrastructure Footprints AI is building. From using cameras, sensors, and checkout data to map in-store behaviour, to creating a data layer that powers advanced advertisingāhis insights show just how close we are to a smarter, more connected retail world.
Read the full interview here.
Catalyst Romania at 0100 Conference Budapest:Ā
Strengthening Regional Ties
Earlier this May, Catalyst Romania had a strong presence at the 0100 Conference CEE in Budapest ā a standout event that brought together over 400 key players from across Central and Eastern Europeās private equity and venture capital ecosystem.
Set in the vibrant cultural backdrop of Budapest, the conference featured high-quality discussions on capital strategies, LP-GP relationships, and sector shifts. But for us, the real value was in the people ā reconnecting with long-standing partners, meeting new fund managers, and engaging with LPs and founders who share our long-term vision for the region.
This yearās edition was especially meaningful as we also attended a side event co-hosted by OXO Technologies Holding and 3TS Capital Partners, where they announced their merger and the creation of a new joint entity: O3 Partners, a fusion of innovation, regional scale, expertise, and long-term collaboration. The evening was not only a celebration of this strategic milestone but also a clear signal of growing consolidation and ambition within the CEE investment ecosystem. It was a privilege to witness this important announcement and exchange views with key players shaping the future of the region.
Overall, the atmosphere across both the main conference and its side events was one of momentum, connection, and shared purpose. We left Budapest energized and optimistic about what lies ahead for Catalyst and the broader CEE venture community.
āØ Is Your Team Missing Out on Gamified Training?
Your Competitors Might Already Be Winning āØ
An article by Code of Talent, a Catalyst Romania portfolio company
In a fast-changing learning and development landscape, the question is no longer if gamification works, but whether you’re already too late to the game.
Code of Talent recently explored this very topic, highlighting why gamification brings more than just competitive advantage, it also brings higher motivation, faster skills adoption, and measurable ROI for the organisations. In this article, Code of Talent breaks down how companies are already leveraging gamification to boost engagement, retention, and real-world results in employee training.
š Read the full article here:
https://codeoftalent.com/blog/missing-out-on-training-gamification-your-competitors-are-already-winning
At Catalyst Romania, we’re proud to support companies like Code of Talent that push the boundaries of digital learning and create meaningful impact across industries!
š Shaping the Future of Digital Education in Romania:
Adservio joins national dialogue on innovation in public administration š
This past month, leaders from across Romania gathered at The Romanian Congress of Mayors and Local Administration 2025, hosted by AsociaČia RomĆ¢nÄ pentru Smart City, to share solutions for modernizing public administration and accelerating the digital transformation of education.
Weāre proud that Adservio, one of our portfolio companies, was at the forefront of these conversationsāchampioning innovation in the education system and the role of data and AI in public sector reform.
š” Alexandru Holicov, CEO of Adservio, received recognition for his ongoing contributions to AI-driven education. In his keynote, he shared a bold vision for a national digital education strategy that meets the real needs of students, empowers teachers, involves families, and supports informed decision-making at every level of the system.
š¤ Adapta Robotics: Scaling Innovation š¤
In a landscape where operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making define competitiveness, Adapta Robotics is proving that high-impact technology can be developed in Romania and scaled internationally.
š Strengthening International Collaboration
Adapta was recently part of a select group of Romanian tech companies that met with Ontario Minister Victor Fedeli and representatives from the Canadian Embassy, during a mission focused on expanding cooperation between Romania and Ontario in areas such as AI, automation, and deeptech.
Adapta highlighted its applied robotics solutions and ongoing efforts to serve both local and global markets. The meetings reinforced a shared ambition: creating bridges for technology and talent between ecosystems.
š At Retail Arena 2025: Turning Innovation into Operations
At Retail Arena, one of Romaniaās key retail industry events, Adapta contributed to the āTech in Action: The Race for Innovation in Retailā panel, where Bogdan Popescu, Chief Operating Officer, outlined how robotic systems are already improving day-to-day retail operations.
His presentation addressed:
- Automation of repetitive and time-intensive retail tasks.
- Increasing accuracy in shelf audits and planogram compliance.
- Practical deployment of robotic solutions in physical stores: designed, developed, and tested in Romania.
Adaptaās products respond to real operational challenges, offering measurable value without disrupting existing workflows. With strong traction in Europe and growing interest from North American partners, Adapta is well-positioned for the next stage of its evolutionāfocusing on international expansion and long-term impact in the retail automation space. Weāre proud to support their journey as they continue to turn Romanian innovation into global solutions!
āļø Turning Vision into Growth:
The Vola.ro Case Study at PE & VC Academy āļø
At a recent event of the PE & VC Academy, organized by Level 20 CEE ā Romania and ROPEA, with the support of the European Investment Fund (EIF), participants had the opportunity to explore how venture capital can actively shape the trajectory of a high-growth company.
š Marius Ghenea, Managing Partner at Catalyst Romania, presented the Vola.ro case studyāa practical and detailed look into how venture capital can support startups in becoming resilient market leaders.
š From an early-stage online travel platform to a diversified, profitable travel tech company, Vola.roās story illustrates what strategic VC backing can deliver beyond capital:
Key insights included:
- VC is about more than capital – itās about driving growth, product innovation and smart money.
- Vola.roās success came from refining its revenue model, investing in tech and pivoting during the pandemic to build resilience.
- VC investors play a key role in governance, pushing for professionalization and preparing the company for future exits.
This case study is a strong example of how venture capital can be a catalyst for scaling smart, sustainable businessesāand of how Romanian entrepreneurs and investors are building companies that compete beyond local borders.
šļø ITH Group and LOT Polish Airlines
Launch Direct NDC Integration šļø
Weāre proud to share that ITH Group (Vola.ro) has announced a strategic partnership with LOT Polish Airlinesāmarking a milestone in airline content distribution across Central and Eastern Europe.
The direct integration is now live across all ITH Group markets and reinforces the groupās leadership in modern, customer-centric travel distribution.
āļø What this means for the travel industry:
Through New Distribution Capability (NDC)āan IATA digital distribution standardāITH agencies, including Vola, FRU, and GoVola, now offer real-time access to LOTās full commercial offer:
- Competitive fares
- Full transparency on flight conditions
- A broader range of ancillary services
“This partnership with LOT Polish Airlines is a major achievement for the entire ITH team and a validation of our efforts to build a modern, tech-enabled, customer-centric distribution model. Our mission is to connect our agencies directly to the most relevant airline offers, and this integration with LOT is another strong step in that direction. It’s a key moment in our journey to simplify the travel experience and deliver real valueāevery single day,” said Daniel Truica, CEO and Founder of ITH Group (Vola, FRU, GoVola).
ā” Career Opportunities within the portfolio ā”
ESX
Esx is looking for a Marketing Data Analyst. In this role, you’ll help shape data-driven strategies that elevate our performance marketing efforts and improve the entire customer journey. Youāll work closely with the growth, product, and content teams to translate data into actionable insights that directly impact business outcomes. Read more here.
Leanpay
Leanpay is looking for a Business Development Representative to join their growing team. If you’re excited about the fintech space, motivated by B2B sales, and ready to work in a dynamic, high-growth environment, this is a great opportunity to make an impact. More info here.
Code of Talent
Code of Talent is looking for a Senior PHP Developer to join their talented tech team. If you have strong PHP skills, enjoy solving complex challenges, and want to contribute to innovative projects in a collaborative environment, this is a great opportunity to take your career to the next level. More info here.
If you want to be up to date with news from the Catalyst Romania portfolio, visit our LinkedIn page!