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Today, the Founder Institute, the world's premier pre-seed startup accelerator, is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Romania - Eastern Europe 2024 program!

If you could use a structured process and feedback from Bucharest's top entrepreneurs to build a startup, then apply to the Romania - Eastern Europe 2024 Founder Institute today.

Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200+ cities worldwide, the Founder Institute provides high-potential entrepreneurs and teams with the critical support network and structured process needed to build an enduring company. Since 2009, the program has helped over 7,000 Graduates raise over $1.75BN funding, get into seed-accelerators, generate traction, recruit a team, build a product, transition from employee to entrepreneur, and more.

To celebrate the launch, the Founder Institute will host several free startup events in Bucharest, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs and hear more about the program:

Romania Events:

  • Prompt Engineering w/ live demonstration in Bucharest: 6:00pm, Mar 28, 2024 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/340378

Global or Regional Events:

  • Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
  • How to Build a Moonshot: Lonestar’s Mission to the Moon: 8:00pm, Apr 01, 2024 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/339018
  • Pitch Lounge: Get Feedback on Your 1-Minute Pitch Idea from Startup Experts: 8:00pm, Apr 03, 2024 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/337453
  • Speed Mentoring: Get Feedback On Your Startup (Idea): 6:00pm, Apr 09, 2024 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/341209
  • How Early-Stage AI Startups Will Fix Global Problems: 8:00pm, Apr 10, 2024 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/338567
  • How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas : 8:00pm, May 08, 2024 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/339367
  • Building a Fundable Start-up Brand: 8:00pm, May 20, 2024 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/338812
  • How to Quickly Establish Safe, Reliable, and Compliant AI Startups: 8:00pm, May 29, 2024 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/340158
  • Employee to Entrepreneur: How to Make the Transition to Startup Founder: 8:00pm, Jun 12, 2024 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/339787
  • Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 8:00pm, Jun 17, 2024 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/339943
  • Pitch Lounge: Get Feedback on Your 1-Minute Pitch Idea from Startup Experts: 8:00pm, Jun 26, 2024 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/339848
  • Employee to Entrepreneur: How to Make the Transition to Startup Founder: 8:00pm, Jul 01, 2024 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/340254
  • Startup Fundraising Q&A: Meet Investors from the FI Venture Network: 8:00pm, Jul 17, 2024 (Europe/Bucharest): https://FI.co/e/341366

Since first launching in Europe in 2010, the Bucharest Founder Institute led by our local director, Alex M. Dascalu, has helped build several promising companies in the region, like TravelCar (acquired 2018), Paymium ($1M+ funding), Veodin (acquired 2018), Itembase ($3M+ funding), Peerby ($4M+ funding), BeOnPrice ($1M+ funding), and many more. The Bucharest program is led by one of the region's top startup leaders, including Alex Dascalu (Board of Directors at Societatea Națională a Apelor Minerale S.A., Multi-time entrepreneur and business advisor). 

In addition, some of Bucharest's top entrepreneurs, CEOs, and investors will be participating in the program, providing them with expert training, feedback, and evaluation. The list of mentors for the Bucharest Founder Institute includes:

  • Adeo Ressi: CEO, Decile Group / VC Lab
  • Adrian Stanica: Founder
  • Adrian Zarnescu: CTO, SysWin
  • Adrian Stoica: Founder, Soft Galaxy
  • Ajay Naqvi: Founder, The Blue Renaissance
  • Aleksandar Hinkov: Community Evangelist, BESCO - The Bulgarian Startup Association
  • Alex Dona: Founder , TimesNewRoman.ro
  • Alex Cernatescu: CEO, Co-Founder & Global Head of Strategy, Stefanini Infinit - US & EMEA
  • Alex Mincu: CEO, Safer Work
  • Alexander Naydenov: Head of Sales, GraphCMS
  • Alexander Sumin: co-founder, Chief Marketing Officer, ClaimCompass
  • Alexandra Karapidaki: Co-Founder, Bizrupt
  • Alexandru Gheorghiu: CCO@ABC Data Distributie, Founder@IBWT
  • Alex M. Dascalu: Lead Director, Founder Institute Eastern Europe
  • Alina Balan: Partner, designthinkingsociety.com
  • Ana Iorga: CEO, Buyer Brain
  • Ana Maria Udriste: Founder & CEO , Avocatoo
  • Anastasia Angelova: CSO & Co-Founder, Noble Hire
  • Andon Simeonov: VP @ SoftServe | Bulgaria Country Manager, SoftServe
  • Andreea Suciu: Managing Partner, Suciu | The Employment Law Firm
  • Andrei Pitis: CEO, Simple Capital
  • Andrei Cretu: Co-founder of 7card
  • Andrei Ostacie: Founder, Business Development Manager, OKAPI
  • Andrei Roth: Commercial Pricing Director, UiPath
  • Andrew Crawford: Head of Finance
  • Aneida Bajraktari Bicja: Co-Founder & Partner, Balkan Capital
  • Angel Angelov: Managing Partner, Innovation Capital
  • Anil Pillai Dr.: Founder and CEO, Buyer Brain
  • Anita Jovic: Founder, PurpleBlock and AI Serbia
  • Anna Radulovski: Partner , Tech Family Ventures
  • Antonio Eram: Founder & CEO, NETOPIA Payments
  • Assim Ishaque: Co-Director, Founder Institute Midlands, Director, The Entrepreneurs Trust
  • Atanas Atanasov: Agile Master, Bosch Digital Bulgaria
  • Bartosz Drapikowski: CEO, Debonair Beast
  • Bilyana Dimitrova: Managing Partner, Dimitrova and Staykova Law office
  • Bogdan Iordache: Founder, How to Web, TechHub Bucharest, TechAngels
  • Bogdan Oprea: Founder, Aventurine
  • Boris Kolev: Founder and Managing Partner, DigiMark Ventures
  • Boris Hristov: Founder and CEO, 356labs
  • Borys Musielak: Partner, SMOK Ventures
  • Bozhidar Georgiev: CEO & Founder
  • Bozhidar Georgiev : Founder and CEO, Work & Share Coworking
  • Bozhidar Hristov: Founder, Streebl
  • Bülent Duagi: Digital Business Strategist
  • Calin Lupsan: Founder, CEO, Intelligence
  • Catalin Grigorescu: Managing Partner, bpv GRIGORESCU STEFANICA
  • Charlotte Aschim: CEO and Co-Founder, TotalCtrl
  • Chintan Oza: Founder, Anantam Ecosystems
  • Christo Peev: Co- Founder & CEO, Motion Software
  • Claudia Falkinger: Co-Founder, Women in Mobility
  • Colin Howes: Founder, Series-A
  • Constantino Navarro: CFO, - Jumia / Taparo / World Bank
  • Corina Toma: Founder, Hub Eleven Advertising
  • Corneliu Manescu: Principal Software Development Engineer, Microsoft
  • Cosmin Curticapean: Founder, iFactor
  • Cristi Badea: Co-founder & CEO , MavenHut Games
  • Cristian Orasanu: Co-Founder, Paybilla
  • Cristian Negrutiu: Partner, Sparking Capital
  • Cristian Munteanu: Partner, Early Game Ventures
  • Cristian Onetiu: Entrepreneur, Life Care Corp
  • Cristina Daianu: Partner, Dentons
  • Cristina Bucur: Counsel, DLA Piper Global Law Firm
  • Dan Mihaescu: Founding Partner , Gapminder Venture Partners
  • Dan Calugareanu: Partner, Early Game Ventures
  • Dan Huru: Co-Founder, Meetgeek
  • Danail Hadjiatanasov: Engineering Manager, MUI
  • Danail Koev: Co-Founder & CEO, VEDA
  • Daniel Lorer: Advisory Board Member, Quadrodynamics
  • Daniel Vaduva: Founder, Kalium Labs
  • Daniel Rogoz: Founder, Kinderpedia
  • David Llorente: Founder and CEO, Narrativa (AI-Generated Content)
  • Dilyan Dimitrov: Partner, Eleven Ventures
  • Dimitar Giulev: CEO, Antipodes
  • Dimitar Savov: Founder & Head of Marketing, Startup Masters
  • Dimitar Vouldjeff: Co-founder and CEO, Enhancv
  • Dimitris Polychronopoulos: Oslo Chapter Director, FI Mentor
  • Diyan Mihaylov: Co-Founder, ProductTank
  • Dora Petrova: Founder, FemGems
  • Dragos Preda: Co-Founder & CEO, PrimeRenting
  • Elena Mlotok: General Manager, Head of EU Newsstand, Amazon
  • Elena Nikolova: Community Manager, CEO Angels Club, Co-Founder, ESCREO
  • Elena Gramatova-Andreeva: Director of Product Development / Program Manager Generative AI, Bosch Digital Bulgaria
  • Eli Zhabevska: Senior Associate, South Central Ventures
  • Elif Güngör Reis: Food Technology & Entrepreneur Expert, Istanbul Arel University
  • Elina Halatcheva: Managing Director, BrightCap Ventures
  • Elina Zheleva: Managing Partner, launchlabs Sofia
  • Elitza Stoilova: Founder & CEO, Umni.co
  • Erik Barna: CEO and Founder, LIFE IS HARD SA
  • Evelina Necula: Co-Founder, kinderpedia.co
  • Florian Zgunea: CEO, Remantec AG
  • Florin Cioaca: Founder, Traderion
  • Florin Grosu: Co -founder, Traderion
  • Gabriel Paunescu: CEO, Naologic
  • Gabriel Paunescu: CEO, Naologic
  • Gabriel Barcaru: Managing Partner, BRIDCON Business and Management Consulting
  • Gabriela Milcev: Partner, MILCEV BURBEA Intellectual Property & Law Office
  • Gabriel Alin Zainescu: Founder & CEO, Zainescu Consulting
  • Galia Jordanova: CEO, Gaida.ai
  • Galina Markova: Angel Investor, Angel Investor
  • George Brashnarov: General Manager, Nemetschek OOD Bulgaria
  • George Dita: Founder, WiseUp
  • George Sidjimkov: General Partner , Sofia Angels Ventures
  • George Cretu: ALECHMIST, AXIOBIT LIMITED
  • Georgi Malchev: Managing Partner, XploraBG
  • Georgi Milenchev: CEO, Fonio
  • Georgi Ivanov: Founder & CEO, Noble Hire
  • Georgi Kadrev: Co-Founder & CEO, Imagga & Kelvin Health
  • Gergana Stoitchkova: Investment Associate, Eleven Ventures
  • Gold Hood: Founder, Ads4Earth
  • Gregoire Vigroux: Co-Founder & Vice-President, TELUS International
  • Hristo Hristov: CEO, Darik
  • Hristo Chernev: Founder and CEO, TaxiMe
  • Hristo Neychev: Founder & CEO, Tryad Games
  • Hristo Tenchev: Co-Founder, Softuni
  • Idris Revert, Time for the Planet
  • Ihar Mahaniok: Managing Partner, Geek Ventures
  • Ioan Cocan: Managing Partner, Tremend
  • Ioan Iacob: Founder & CEO, FLOWX.AI
  • Ionut Tata: President, Cluster for Innovation and Technology
  • Ionut Patrahau: Managing Partner, Corporate Development, SeedBlink
  • Irena Teneva: CEO, Space Pro Ltd.
  • Irina Obushtarova: Co-founder & CEO, The Recursive
  • Iskren Mitev: Co-Founder & Wizard of Light-bulb moments, Co-Founder, ESCREO
  • Iskren Krusteff, VC LAW FIRM
  • Iulian Circiumaru: Managing Partner
  • Ivan Dzheferov: Community Manager & GM for Bulgaria, Vereign AG
  • Ivan Ivanka: President & CEO, FI Hungary
  • Ivan Ivanka: President & CEO, Ivanka Group
  • Ivan Draganov: Senior Innovation Analyst, Dealroom.co
  • Ivan Osmak: CEO & Co-Founder, Quantive (formerly Gtmhub)
  • Ivan Guberkov: VP & GM, Hybrid Work Division, OfficeRnD | Flex & Hybrid Work Software
  • Ivaylo Slavov: CEO, Bulpros
  • Ivaylo Hristov: Founder, DEV.BG
  • Ivaylo Simov: Founder, Eleven Ventures
  • Ivaylo Ivanov: Director, Founder Institute Eastern Europe
  • Ivelin Ivanov: co-founder, FI Web 3
  • Ivo Vasilev: Founder and CEO, Reloyalty
  • Ivo Radulovski: Partner, Tech Family Ventures
  • Jaco Fok: Founder, equalifai
  • Janet Todorova: Head of Expansion, Founder Institute
  • Janet Todorova: Head of Expansion, Founder Institute
  • Janne Saarikko: Director, Food Ecosystems Accelerator, Founder Institute
  • Jascha Willimek: Managing Partner, neusta group
  • Jivko Ivanov: Managing Partner, Simbula Ltd.
  • Konstantinos Vassakis: Co-founder, Bizrupt
  • Konstantinos Karvounakis: Principal, Metavallon VC
  • Krasimir Nikolov: CEO & Co-founder, Quark VR
  • Krasimir Kehayov: Investment Manager, DYNAX Invest
  • Kristijan Mileski: Program Director, Business Impact Lab
  • Lars Wiechen: Partner in Charge, Deloitte
  • Laurentiu Balasa: Founder, Founder at BookVitals
  • Lenard Adanov: CEO, Adan Media Ltd.
  • Leo Mart: Founder, Sunrise VR Studio
  • Leona Aslanova: Founder and CEO, Innovation Starter Box
  • Liviu Dragan: Founder, DRUID
  • Lucia Cerchlan: Co-Founder, Lumus Investment
  • Lukasz Owczarek: Head of Growth, MIT Enterprise Forum CEE
  • Lyubomir Yanchev: Founder and CEO, MClimate
  • Maciej Zawadzinski: General Partner, Hard2beat
  • Magdalena Jabłońska: CEO, MIT Enterprise Forum CEE
  • Maher Santarissy: Managing Director, moment
  • Maksym Moneta: CEO and Founder, Startupers Online
  • Malin Iulian Stefanescu: Vice President, TechAngels
  • Mara Rada: CEO & Chief of Strategy, Feral (thinkferal.com)
  • Maria Mihes: Storyteller, FI EE Director, UiPath alumni
  • Marian Ignev: CEO, TeachableHub
  • Marian Dinu: Managing Partner, DLA Piper Dinu
  • Mariola Bitner: Director, Founder Institute Poland
  • Marius Ursache: CEO & Co-founder, MetaBeta
  • Marius Mitroi: CEO , Rise
  • Marius Dosinescu: CEO, AYSA.ai
  • Marius Deak: CEO, AVANDOR & Green Pixel
  • Marius Dosinescu: Founder, AYSA.ai
  • Marius Costin: CEO, PayU
  • Mark Rogers: CEO, Futurist Labs
  • Marvin Liao: Partner, GAMEGROOVE Capital & Diaspora Ventures
  • Matiullah Rahmaty: Founder/President , BrightPoint Consulting Services
  • Max Gurvits: Managing Partner, Vitosha Venture Partners
  • Maya Zlatanova: Co-Founder & CEO, FindMeCure
  • Mester Catalin: Founder, Bookups & I Love Failure
  • Mihai Sfintescu: Managing Director, Abilito Capital
  • Mihai Darzan: Founder, RINGHEL
  • Mihai Rotaru: FOUNDER, CLEVER TAXI
  • Mihai Stefanescu: Senior Advisor at Innovation Norway, innovasjonnorge.no
  • Mike Suprovici: Head of Acceleration, VC Lab
  • Mike Hapoianu: CEO, Mindspace Romania and Poland
  • Mila Petrova, TeamUp services
  • Milen Ivanov: Managing Partner, Sofia Angels Ventures, Co-Founder, CEO Angels Club
  • Milena Kraeva: Founder & CEO, Nexus Impact Ventures
  • Mircea Vadan: Founder, Cluj Startups, MVP Academy
  • Mirella Yordanova: Network & Community Manager, Seedcamp
  • Miroslav Nedyalkov: Co-founder & CTO, OfficeR&D
  • Miroslav Miroslavov: Co-Founder and CEO, OfficeRnD
  • Monica Georgieff: CMO, School Space
  • Myrto Papathanou: Partner, Metavallon VC
  • Nadia KANOUN: CEO, Senior Adviser, Trainer & Coach, IHSCEN for Startups
  • Nancy Brito: Partner - Investor, Ground Capital
  • Natalya Bagrova: Co-Founder, Art Director, Brand Strategist , Suva Inc.
  • Natanail Stefanov: Executive Director
  • Nathan Evans: Co-Founder, fulfin - financing ecommerce
  • Nick Todorov: Founder & CEO, LimeChain
  • Nicolas Boitout: Co-Founder, Beyond Business School
  • Nikolai Nedelchev: CEO, Publicis Groupe Bulgaria
  • Nikolay Yarmov: Founder and CEO, CEED
  • Nina Nikolikj: SwissEP Program Officer, Swisscontact
  • Oana Petrescu: CEO, Blueair
  • Olivia Marcu-Iordanescu: Founder, Chief Legal Strategist, https://spotlegal.io
  • Ovi Negrean: Chief Executive Bee, SocialBee.io
  • Ozana Giusca: CEO & Founder, Tooliers
  • Paloma Lecheta: LatAm Regional Director, Founder institute founder institute
  • Patrick O'Connor-Read: AI || Blockchain || Product, Architect & CTO
  • Paul Putz: Managing Partner, Danube Angels
  • Pavel Kaminsky: Founder & CEO, 7Security GmbH
  • Pavlina Dzhartova: COO, HyperAspect
  • Pedro Conceição: Director of Growth, Kencko
  • Petar Zaharinov: CTO, DiFOLD
  • Petar Tsachev: Investor, LAUNCHub Ventures
  • Peter Lozanov: Co-founder and CEO, BattlePass Studio
  • Petko Karamotchev: Director
  • Petya Angelova: Strategic Sourcing Lead, EnduroSat
  • Piotr Boulangé: Director, Founder Institute Poland
  • Radoslav Nikolov: Managing Director, SAP Labs Bulgaria
  • Radoslav Stankov: Head of engineering, Product Hunt
  • Radostina Tsenova: Lead Manager of Tech Tour Investors Club, Tech Tour
  • Radoy Stoyanov: FSI Leader, DIGITALL
  • Radu Savopol: CO-FOUNDER & GENERAL MANAGER, 5-To-Go
  • Radu Ionicioiu: National Quantum Coordinator, Romanian Quantum Network
  • Radu Ticiu: Co-Founder, Growceanu Angel Investment
  • Radu Balaceanu: Co FOunder, LifeBox
  • Radu Sebastian Amarie: CTO, Findie.me
  • Raluca Elena Rogoz: Founder, Raluca Elena Rogoz
  • Razvan Dinu: Founder, RoboSelf
  • Razvan Tapu: Chief Digital Officer, Stefanini
  • Regine Harr: Investor , Regine Investements
  • Ricardo Monagas: CTO, TotalCtrl
  • Rina Onur: General Partner, 500 Istanbul
  • Rita Vilas Boas: Investor & Advisor, Ground Capital
  • Robert Wijers: Founding Partner, Value & PurposeValue
  • Robin Teurlings: Founder / CEO, The Startup Buddy
  • Ruben Seoane: CEO, Damocles Analytics
  • Rumen Iliev: Partner, LAUNCHub
  • Ruslan Bocancea: Owner, Bocancea Law Group
  • Ruslan Leteyski: Founder & CEO, Vanga AI
  • Russell Brand: CEO & Founder, Responsible Solutions Limited
  • Ryan Riegg: Senior Associate, Adams Corporate Law, Inc
  • Salim Virani: Founder, Source Institute
  • Sam Olawale: Founder, DGL
  • Sasha Bezuhanova: Founder and Chairperson, MoveBG
  • Sergiu Petre: Senior PR Consultant, Graffiti Public Relations
  • Sergiu Gîdei: Founder, Boanță, Gîdei și Asociații
  • Sergiu Maier: Founder, Plaeto
  • Shahar Hillel: Software Solutions Specialist, Innovation-Hill
  • Silvia Axinescu: Managing Associate, Reff & Associates SCA
  • Silyana Bojilova, Nebula Coworking Space
  • Simona Bali: Head of Investor Program, GoingVC
  • Simona Irmova: Eastern Europe Program Manager & HQ Operations Associate, Founder Institute
  • Sinisha Djukic: General Manager, Bosch Digital Bulgaria
  • Sorina Conea: Co-Founder, EduMagic
  • Stanislav Sirakov: Partner, LAUNCHub
  • Stefan Jørgensen: CEO, itembase.com
  • Stefan Vladimirov: Creative Director, monolig.
  • Stefano Glauser: Founder, Startup Jam
  • Svetla Simidchieva: Founder and CEO, Placement Feed
  • Svetlin Nakov: Co-founder, Software University Ltd.
  • Svetozar Georgiev: Co-Founder, Telerik, Telerik Academy, Campus X
  • Tatyana Mitkova: Co-Founder and CEO, ClaimCompass
  • Teodor Panayotov: CEO, CourseDot
  • Thibaut Taittinger: Founder & CEO, Puzl CowOrKing
  • Till Kaestner: Founder, Managing Director, BrightSide Holding UG
  • Timo Kugler: Co-Founder, NASH + BANKS
  • Todor Kolev: Founder and CEO, Farstar
  • Tomasz Kolodziejak
  • Torrey Smith: Co-Founder & CEO, Endiatx
  • Valentin Mihov: CTO, Santiment
  • Valentina Zaharia: Actor & Coach, The National Theater In Bucharest
  • Vasile Tamas: CEO, Beez
  • Vassil Popovski: CEO & Co-founder, Connecto.ai (Acquired by Leanplum)
  • Veroniek Vermeulen: Founder, Silatha
  • Victor Schiller: President, R Cubed Group
  • Viktor Bilyanski: Chief Technology Officer, ScaleFocus
  • Viktor Petrov: Co-Founder & COO, Crypto APIs
  • Viktor Minchev: VC Investor, Eleven Ventures
  • Vlad Sarca: Partner, Sparking Capital
  • Vlad Nikolov: Head of Platform and Community, LAUNCHub Ventures
  • Vladimir Sijakovic: Founder, Cvik & Partners
  • Volen Vulkov: Co-Founder, Enhancv
  • Xenia Muntean: Founder, Planable
  • Yasen Rusev: Co- Founder & CEO, Escreo
  • Yavor Gochev: Investment Manager, Innovation Capital
  • Zbigniew Barwicz: Managing Partner, Freya Capital
  • Zoya Todorova: Partner, Dimitrov, Petrov & Co. Law Firm
  • Zsofi Toth: Co-founder and Navigator, Puzl CowOrKing Budapest

  • And many more to be announced.

The Founder Institute is designed for founders and teams all throughout the pre-seed stage, including aspiring founders with a full-time job, solo founders, teams, and founders of established companies that are pre-funding. The Founder Institute's mission is to "Globalize Silicon Valley" and create sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.

Join us in Bucharest to build a great company in 2019. 

Apply to the Romania - Eastern Europe 2024 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.  

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