Romania marked a milestone on the European innovation map with the launch of the EIT Community Hub Romania, coordinated by Iceberg+ under the umbrella of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). This hub aims to boost the country’s capacity to turn ideas into impact—connecting startups, large companies, SMEs, academia, public authorities, strategic partners and international innovation ecosystems.

A New Era for Innovation in Romania

The inauguration event, held in Bucharest on 24 March 2025, brought together high-level officials, business leaders, investors and researchers to spark collaboration and accelerate Romania’s integration into the broader European innovation ecosystem. The Hub is positioned to transform promising ideas into real-world solutions through:

• Direct access to European funding programs
• Mentorship and acceleration opportunities for startups
• National expansion of regional development models
• Improved links between academia, research and the private sector

Boosting Innovation in the Manufacturing Sector

Of special significance to Romania’s economic fabric, the Hub will play a key role in strengthening manufacturing innovation, leveraging support from EIT Manufacturing South East, which has been active in the region since 2022. As part of the broader EIT network, EIT Manufacturing offers:

• Technology transfer opportunities
• Access to pan-European testbeds and pilot projects
• Training and upskilling for workforce development
• Connections to leading innovators in smart manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and sustainability

EIT Manufacturing South East is uniquely positioned to support Romanian manufacturers in funding opportunities, supply chain resilience and innovation-driven competitiveness.

Dr Niki Kousi, Managing Director of EIT Manufacturing South East, took part in a panel discussion at the event, where she shared the stage with Adrian Polec from “Prime Batteries”, Southeastern Europe’s only lithium-ion battery producer. Prime Batteries is vertically integrated and known for its advanced NMC technology, offering outstanding battery cycle life. With the backing of EIT InnoEnergy, the company is scaling up to 8 GWh capacity—solidifying its strategic role in Europe’s sustainable battery value chain.

Operating from within Romania, EIT Manufacturing South East functions as a key enabler of industrial modernization and cross-border collaboration. It empowers local stakeholders by:

• Supporting SMEs in accessing innovation funding and business development services
• Facilitating international partnerships across academia, industry and public sector
• Driving regional innovation projects aligned with European green and digital goals

As part of the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, the initiative ensures that Romanian manufacturers and innovators are not just participants—but leaders—within Europe’s next wave of industrial progress.