Oradea is a city on the rise, transforming from a scenic place known for its history into an emerging startup hub. This shift isn’t just happening by chance—it’s the result of an alliance between the public sector’s initiatives and the private sector’s drive for innovation. Investments in infrastructure and smart legislation are slowly laying the foundation for an ecosystem that continuously attracts entrepreneurial talent.
One important pillar of this movement is Make IT in Oradea. This project shows how public support and private know-how can come together in a way that works. It’s an initiative that goes beyond funding into creating a platform where new ideas find real opportunities. We’ve had the pleasure of talking to the people behind Make IT in Oradea and discussing some aspects that make Oradea the next place to start a new business venture.
The Role of The Public Sector
Oradea’s rise didn’t happen in a vacuum. For a while, it happened behind the efforts of the local government, which has carefully laid down the infrastructure needed for tech companies to grow.
The creation of Make IT in Oradea is a prime example of the public and private sectors working hand in hand. It began with open conversations between city officials and local entrepreneurs aimed at pinpointing exactly what the ecosystem needed.
Recognizing the need to accelerate the development of the local innovation startup ecosystem, the public sector initiated an open dialog with the local private stakeholders and entrepreneurs to better understand the needs of the local startup ecosystem. The results of the discussions were a unique joint initiative.
David Achim, Executive Director, Make IT in Oradea
This type of collaboration was exactly what an initiative like Make IT in Oradea needed. It wasn’t about creating a simple platform that helped startups get off the ground. For the founders, it was always about ensuring they had everything they needed to succeed – from the right mentorship to key networking opportunities.
And with the continued effort by the public sector to unite vision and expertise under one roof, projects like Make IT in Oradea, are set to transform the city into a place where startups don’t just launch but can actually make regional impacts.
Make IT in Oradea: Building the “Smart” Infrastructure of the City
For the locals, Make IT in Oradea it’s the initiative that gets down to business by directly addressing what startups actually need to grow and succeed. At the core of the project is the Bright Labs Incubator, which sets itself apart from your average startup support program by providing more than a “one-size-fits-all” solution.
Contrary to traditional startup programs that often provide only surface-level support and tend to adopt a generic approach & frameworks, Bright Labs is designed to offer a uniquely tailored, holistic, intensive, and deeply integrated experience to nurture founders at every stage of their journey.
David Achim, Executive Director, Make IT in Oradea
The Incubator gives each founder exactly what they need to take their startup from an idea to a fully operational business. What’s on the table if you’re a potential founder? Well, you can expect personal mentoring, hands-on support from seasoned pros, in-depth training sessions that actually teach something useful, and connections that open real doors.
Not to mention that if you need funds, they’ve got up to €50k in equity funding, plus a cool co-working space in Oradea Fortress to hash out your ideas and mix with other founders. And yes, they’ll even help cover your living expenses while you’re building your dream.
Bright Labs Incubator is not the perfect program…we don’t believe in perfect…but it is the most life-changing experience you’ll get as an early-stage founder, at least in CEE…maybe even in Europe!
David Achim, Executive Director, Make IT in Oradea
Local Innovation With a Global Impact
The excitement behind Oradea’s ecosystem can be measured by its success stories. The city can proudly showcase a portfolio of ventures that have gone big and global. Creatopy is such an example. A homegrown company in the creative design software market that snagged an amazing $10 million in Series A funding last autumn. It’s one of many votes of confidence in Oradea’s ability to grow top-tier startups that catch the eye of big-time investors.
Then there’s Appointfix, now rebranded as Goldie – a successful exit within the ecosystem, having been bought out by Universe Software, a SaaS holding company. Another big name is TypingDNA, a cybersecurity company that raised $7 million from Gradient Ventures for its typing biometrics technology.
But it’s not just about the big players. Make IT in Oradea is also nurturing rising stars like Pineapple Square, which landed a spot in Draper University’s prestigious program, and Expert24, which is changing how professionals connect with clients through its services marketplace.
These stories are just the beginning. With over 70 startups pumped through the Bright Labs Incubator and a financial injection of €215,000 in investments plus €120,000 in grants, Oradea is on the fast track to becoming a hotspot for startups that not only start up but stay up and scale up.
Fintech in Focus
The fintech sector is also rising, supported by initiatives like Make IT in Oradea and events like the UNCHAIN Festival. Fintech is slowly putting Oradea on the map – big time.
Supporting the UNCHAIN Festival was a strategic decision for Make IT in Oradea, aimed at leveraging the festival’s platform to draw significant international attention to our ecosystem.
David Achim, Executive Director, Make IT in Oradea
The big deal with events like UNCHAIN is that they throw Oradea’s startups into the ring with global players and opportunities.
The international impact of the UNCHAIN Festival is substantial. By concentrating on the fintech industry, the festival has succeeded in attracting world-renowned experts, investors, startups, and other pivotal stakeholders. Such an event underscores the potential of Oradea’s startups to engage with global trends, challenges, and opportunities within the fintech sector.
David Achim, Executive Director, Make IT in Oradea
Speaking of fintechs, there are some who have something to say in the context of a conference like UNCHAIN. One such example is Prime Dash, a standout story in Oradea’s fintech ecosystem for its rapid adoption and ability to scale internationally.
This Romanian-British startup is putting CFO-level insights into the pockets of business owners everywhere. Simple, smart, and savvy. This way, Prime Dash has transformed complex financial management into a tap-and-go solution.
Although Oradea is not a traditional center for the fintech industry, the city offers certain advantages. One of the most valuable aspects is access to talented programmers, essential for developing solid and internationally competitive products. […] We are also pleased with the attention that the UNCHAIN Festival brings specifically to the fintech space, putting Oradea on the fintech map and allowing us to connect with other innovators and industry leaders.
Ioana Rus, chairwoman of the board, Prime Dash
A Startup Destination of the Future
As Oradea’s startup ecosystem matures, the vision for its future is ambitious. Make IT in Oradeais setting its sights on making the city a top destination for startup founders not just in Romania but across Central Eastern Europe. Their commitment is built on a strong belief in local innovation and collaboration.
The message we champion is clear: the pathway to building a successful startup does not necessitate leaving Central Eastern Europe for Western countries. We fervently believe, and indeed, we must believe, that we can cultivate groundbreaking startups right here, in our home.
David Achim, Executive Director, Make IT in Orade
The team at Make IT in Oradea sees a different path for local talent — one that doesn’t require heading to Western Europe or Silicon Valley to make it big, and rightfully so.
Building on the vision laid out by Make IT in Oradea, Bright Labs Incubator is a way to retain talent and attract international founders. It’s a great opportunity to nurture those who possess immense passion and see a clear market opportunity yet may lack a fully formed product or specific idea. If this fits into your story, applications for the Incubator are still open for the 2024th cohort!
Bright Labs is designed to not only attract these burgeoning talents but also to equip them with the crucial tools and knowledge needed to thrive within the competitive landscape of Central and Eastern Europe. By joining Bright Labs, entrepreneurs will immerse themselves in an environment that champions local innovation through comprehensive support, expert mentorship, and peer collaboration. This initiative underscores our commitment to revolutionizing the startup scene right here in Oradea, making it unnecessary for local talent to seek opportunities elsewhere.
David Achim, Executive Director, Make IT in Oradea
Alongside other startups, they plan to keep building up the city’s infrastructure and support systems to better nurture new businesses, drawing both local and international entrepreneurs and investors looking to tap into what Oradea has to offer.
The geographical proximity to Western Europe, an openness to innovation, and local initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, especially in tech (such as Make IT in Oradea), are important factors. […] We are also pleased with the attention that the Unchain Festival brings specifically to the fintech space, putting Oradea on the fintech map and allowing us to connect with other innovators and industry leaders.
Ioana Rus, board member Prime Dash
The city aims to show the world that innovation and global success can grow out of Central Eastern Europe, showcasing the strength, potential, and dynamism of its startup ecosystem on the world stage.
