The October 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!
We’re proud to share that .lumen, a Catalyst Romania Fund II portfolio company, has secured a €11 million grant for the project “PABLO – Autonomous Robots for Urban Delivery”, funded under the Intelligent Growth, Digitalization and Financial Instruments Program 2021–2027 .The project will run from September 2025 to September 2028, supporting Romania’s progress in autonomous mobility and robotics innovation.
This marks a new milestone for the Romanian deep-tech startup, best known for its AI-powered glasses for the blind. Through this project, .lumen is expanding its pioneering Pedestrian Autonomous Driving (PAD AI) technology to a new frontier, urban delivery robotics.
Led by .lumen in collaboration with the Institute of Solid Mechanics of the Romanian Academy (IMSAR), BreadCrumbs Interactive and Linnify, the PABLO project aims to develop a new generation of humanoid and quadruped robots capable of navigating sidewalks and crowded areas autonomously. The goal: to create a sustainable, efficient and intelligent alternative to traditional delivery fleets.
“We’ve proven that PAD AI technology can help visually impaired individuals move independently. Now, we’re extending it to reimagine how goods move in cities.” stated Cornel Amariei, CEO and founder of .lumen
At Catalyst Romania, we’re delighted to see one of our portfolio companies driving such impactful innovation, proving once again that Romanian deep-tech has the potential to compete and lead globally.
Read the full article here!
launch an integrated digital platform for academic management 💡
Adservio has partnered with the “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași (TUIASI) to implement a fully integrated digital academic management platform, one of the most advanced of its kind in Romania. The new system streamlines key university processes such as course planning, grading, student accommodation and financial operations including fee payments and scholarship management, while enhancing transparency and providing easy access to essential information for students, professors and researchers.
As Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Simona Caraiman, Vice-Rector for Digitalization and Communications at TUIASI, declared: “Our students can now access their curriculum, grades, accommodation information and fees directly through the mobile app. Soon, professors and researchers will also benefit from a new module for managing, analyzing, and reporting research outcomes.”
What began as an effort to reduce bureaucracy and optimize workflows has evolved into a scalable digital ecosystem, co-developed by Adservio and TUIASI, that could serve as a model for universities across Romania. The platform integrates key academic processes such as course planning, grading, accommodation management and even financial transactions like fee payments and scholarship allocations, all in a single secure, GDPR-compliant system.
Beyond the student experience, the partnership is also transforming the university’s research landscape. Together with TUIASI’s IT department, Adservio is developing a dedicated research management module, streamlining reporting and analysis processes that directly impact funding and performance.
At Catalyst Romania, this initiative perfectly illustrates how portfolio companies like Adservio are enabling meaningful change, helping universities operate more efficiently, make data-driven decisions and align with European digital standards.
This collaboration is yet another example of how Catalyst-backed innovation continues to drive Romania’s digital transformation.
SmartDreamers has expanded its global footprint through a new partnership with Cornerstone, a worldwide leader in workforce agility solutions.
The collaboration brings SmartDreamers’ Candidate Relationship Management (CRM) platform to the Cornerstone Galaxy Extend ecosystem, giving talent acquisition teams access to advanced tools to engage and nurture candidates at scale.
By integrating seamlessly with Cornerstone Recruiting, SmartDreamers enables organizations to automate recruitment marketing activities, from email and SMS campaigns to audience segmentation, while maintaining a unified experience across recruitment and applicant tracking workflows.
Adrian Cernat, CEO of SmartDreamers, noted: “Our integration gives customers the flexibility to deliver targeted, on-brand, data-driven candidate experiences, without the overhead of managing disconnected systems.”
This partnership marks another important milestone for SmartDreamers in its mission to transform recruitment marketing automation.
A new collaboration between SeedBlink, a Catalyst Romania Fund II portfolio company, and Rubik Hub, one of Romania’s most active startup accelerators, is set to strengthen the country’s early-stage innovation ecosystem.
With a shared mission to empower founders to turn bold ideas into global success stories, the two organizations are joining forces to help startups accelerate their growth through CORE, SeedBlink’s digital toolkit designed to simplify fundraising and scaling.
Through this partnership, founders in the Rubik Hub community gain access to powerful tools that help them:
💡 Put their startup in the spotlight – Create a public-ready profile, attract investor attention, and gather early feedback.
💰 Fundraise with confidence – Open private rounds, share secure links, and execute deals end-to-end using SeedBlink’s infrastructure.
🧠 Get investor-ready – Use AI-driven tools, templates and simulations to refine pitches and deal structures.
By combining SeedBlink’s investment infrastructure with Rubik Hub’s community and expertise, this collaboration gives early-stage founders the resources to move faster, smarter, and with purpose, turning ambition into tangible growth.
For our team it is exciting to see portfolio companies like SeedBlink continue to build bridges within the regional startup ecosystem and empower the next generation of founders.
in Ziarul Financiar’s “IT Generation” 🚗
Alina Georgescu, Investment Manager at Catalyst Romania, and Sorin Iacob, founder of Carfix, recently shared insights in Ziarul Financiar’s “IT Generation” about the company’s growth and regional ambitions following Catalyst’s €1.25 million investment.
Carfix, a digital ecosystem for the automotive industry, has seen impressive progress, recording an average annual growth of 67% over the past three years and reaching nearly €900,000 in revenue in 2024. With the new funding, the company aims to reach 300 B2B clients and 100,000 vehicles enrolled on its platform by 2026, while accelerating expansion into Slovakia and Hungary.
“We were convinced by the strength of Carfix’s solution and its impact on digitalizing a traditionally offline industry,” said Alina Georgescu. “Equally important was the team’s deep expertise, professionals with over 15–20 years of experience, and the strong validation we received directly from their clients.”
Carfix helps companies optimize fleet maintenance costs by 25–65% through automation and data-driven decision-making. The platform functions as a mobility marketplace, connecting all key players in the ecosystem, from fleets and service providers to insurers and parts distributors, and now integrates AI-powered predictive cost analysis and a new fleet management module for small and medium-sized companies.
As Sorin Iacob explained in the interview, Carfix’s goal is clear: “By mid-2027, we aim to become the reference platform for the automotive industry in Central and Eastern Europe.”
Watch the video here!
Code of Talent, part of the Catalyst Romania Fund II portfolio, has contributed to the launch of OncoRCP (Resources, Counselling, Partnership), an innovative online platform designed to support cancer patients and their families throughout their treatment journey.
Developed by MedicHub Media, Ascendis and Code of Talent, with the support of Pfizer Romania and under the patronage of “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, the initiative addresses a critical need: clear, empathetic communication between doctors and patients.
OncoRCP combines emotional support with digital learning tools, offering:
📹 Video resources and educational content led by patient navigator Andi Cârlan;
🧑 An AI-powered learning experience in 10 steps, guiding users through self-assessment, communication techniques, and emotional expression;
✨ Podcast episodes with oncologists, patient representatives, and healthcare leaders.
At the heart of the project is Code of Talent’s digital microlearning technology, which powers the platform’s interactive and personalized experience, helping patients engage actively, learn at their own pace, and feel more supported.
“We wanted to build a space where patients feel heard, informed, and empowered. OncoRCP brings together empathy, education, and technology to make that possible,” said Dr. Simona Melnic, CEO of MedicHub Media.
Through this collaboration, Code of Talent continues to demonstrate how digital learning innovation can drive social impact, extending far beyond corporate environments and into the most human of contexts, the journey of healing and understanding.
empowering exceptional young talents to reach new heights ✈️
Vola.ro, together with The Social Incubator Association, has launched “România Zboară Departe” (“Romania Flies Far”), a program that supports exceptional young people in continuing their pursuit of excellence and proudly representing Romania around the world.
The initiative addresses a pressing challenge: while Romania has many outstanding young talents in art, education, sports and innovation, not all of them have the financial means to seize international opportunities.
According to recent studies, 1 in 5 young Olympians cannot participate in international competitions due to financial barriers and data from the National Student Council shows that 58% of high-performing students rely solely on family support to cover their participation costs. In 2023 alone, over 3,400 Romanian students were invited to competitions abroad, yet around 20% could not attend because of insufficient funds.
Through “Romania Flies Far”, young achievers can receive financial and logistical support, including flight tickets, accommodation, travel insurance, participation fees or equipment transport, helping them focus on what truly matters: performing at their best.
Beyond practical assistance, the program also highlights and celebrates inspiring stories of determination and success, giving these young talents the recognition they deserve.
“We know Romania has extraordinary young people who can change the world if given the chance to follow their dreams. Sometimes, a simple plane ticket means more than a journey, it’s the beginning of a success story,” said Elena Marin, CSR Manager at Vola.ro.
“Financial barriers should never stand in the way of ambition. Through this program, we’re building a bridge between potential and opportunity, showing young people that they are not alone,” added Adriana Preda, Executive Director of The Social Incubator Association.
Open to youth aged 14 to 24 who have achieved outstanding results in education, sports or the arts, the program invites applicants to register via romaniazboaradeparte.ro, where full eligibility criteria are available.
By enabling access to opportunities and amplifying inspiring journeys, “Romania Flies Far” turns talent into impact, one flight at a time.
Career Opportunities within the portfolio
Carfix
Carfix is hiring a Key Account Manager to manage and grow relationships with large strategic clients in insurance, leasing, auto import and parts distribution. If you have experience in account management, strong negotiation skills and a passion for digital solutions in the automotive industry, this is a great opportunity to join a fast-growing tech-driven company! Contact them here: contact@carfixapp.com
Omniconvert
Omniconvert is hiring an Account Executive to drive sales and business growth in the eCommerce and SaaS space. If you have 3–5 years of consultative software sales experience, a passion for digital marketing and technology and strong communication skills, this is a unique opportunity to join a fast-growing team, engage with global clients and shape the future of conversion optimization, learn more here.
Vola.ro
Vola.ro is hiring an AI/Automation Engineer in Bucharest to design and implement intelligent systems, automate workflows and build AI-driven products that enhance the travel experience. If you have experience with automation platforms like n8n or Zapier, strong Python and JavaScript/TypeScript skills and a passion for AI innovation, this is a great opportunity to join a fast-growing travel tech team, learn more here.
If you want to be up to date with news from the Catalyst Romania portfolio, visit our LinkedIn page!