August 2025 Wrap-Up
InnovX September 2, 2025
August might be the month when many take a step back for holidays, but at InnovX the summer heat only fueled our drive. ☀️ While vacations were in full swing, our ecosystem kept the energy high with two major registration deadlines: for STARTUPsX and Open Horizons Project, while also laying the groundwork for new partnerships that will shape the months ahead.
📩 Missed our earlier editions? You can always catch up on past newsletters and follow the full InnovX journey from the beginning.
From calls with founders to last-minute applications, August became a bridge between summer reflections and the confident moves of the season ahead. Because when innovation is your journey, there’s no such thing as pressing pause; only prepping for the next leap. 🚀
STARTUPsX: The Journey Begins
August marked the close of registrations for STARTUPsX, and with it, the beginning of a brand-new chapter. Founders from across Europe and beyond stepped up, applied, and shared their vision, and very soon, we’ll reveal the startups selected to join this year’s cohort.
For those who haven’t seen it yet, we recently published an in-depth first article of a new series: STARTUPsX: How We Shape Startup Journeys, showcasing what makes this program more than just an accelerator. From 300+ mentors to 25+ investment partners and over 160 corporate connections, STARTUPsX is where ambition meets execution, and where promising startups turn into global contenders.
We’re also proud that our media partner Ziarul Financiar featured STARTUPsX in an exclusive interview with our very own Anca Luca - Chief Growth Officer. The piece explores how this program is built to empower founders, connecting them with investors, corporates, and the know-how to scale internationally. A must-read for any founder considering the road ahead: discover the full interview here.
With onboarding just around the corner, the next weeks will be packed with pitch preparation, mentor sessions, and investor matchmaking. We can’t wait to introduce the companies stepping into the spotlight and to share the stories that will inspire the ecosystem all over again. 🚀
Open Horizons: A Global Call Answered
August 21st marked the close of registrations for the Open Horizons Project, and the response was nothing short of inspiring: 256 applications from women-led startups across Europe and beyond. 🌍
The top countries represented were:
- United Kingdom (23.6%)
- Turkey (9.2%)
- Germany (9.2%)
- Spain (7.0%)
- France (5.9%)
When it comes to technology, the picture is just as exciting:
- Artificial Intelligence (33.3%)
- GreenTech (15.3%)
- Other digital & deep-tech (11.9%)
- Internet of Things (9.6%)
- Advanced Computing (8.2%)
From AI and GreenTech to IoT and Advanced Computing, these startups are building the future across industries that matter most.
With applications now closed, we can’t wait to announce the selected participants and to kick off the Inception Phase, where ideas meet clarity, community, and the first steps toward cross-border growth. 🚀
MoonShotX: Lessons, Stories & a Stronger Community
August was all about turning experience into knowledge and stories into momentum for MoonShotX.
We published two cornerstone articles packed with practical insights for any mid-corporate leader:
- From Our Mentors: Common Mistakes in the First Months of Scaling – an honest look at what to avoid when growth takes off.
- MoonShotX Bootcamp Explained: Curriculum, International Missions & Hands-On Mentorship – a curriculum snapshot, from pitch prep to international strategy, designed to set scale-ups on the right track.
Beyond knowledge-sharing, we celebrated the journeys of alumni from the very first MoonShotX edition, each proving that bold vision and global ambition go hand in hand:
- RAP Tronic Process Engineering explored international expansion with high-level meetings at SelectUSA and SelectChicago.
- WALDEVAR Energy carried their “superpower of confidence” into every stage of the program, securing Romania’s first €39.2M floating photovoltaic project shortly after.
- Eco Garden Construct showcased sustainable urban development on both U.S. and UK stages, proving that when you build with nature, you build for the future.
Each of these milestones reflects what makes MoonShotX unique: a scaling journey where strategy meets opportunity, and where mid-corporates find the courage and clarity to go global, supported by InnovX, Raiffeisen Bank Romania and our entire MoonShotX ecosystem🌍
These stories are just the beginning. From exploring new markets, to shaping the renewable future, and building greener cities across borders, MoonShotX alumni are proof that when mid-corporates scale with the right partners, impact follows.
Now it’s your turn. 👉 Apply by September 15 to join the next MoonShotX edition and write your own story of international expansion.
To bring it all together, we also shared a short MoonShotX Presentation Video, featuring project managers Diana DUMITRESCU, PhD. & Bianca Păcurar alongside assistant PM George Cristian Radu, capturing the spirit, the mission, and the people behind the program. Watch the video and learn more about the program.
Partners' Pulse & InnovX Community Highlights
Our partners and community never stand still. From new collaborations and international milestones to high-impact events, August was full of proof that innovation grows stronger when we move together.
🌎 From Europe to Latin America, and back
We’re thrilled to announce our new partnership with ENRICH in LAC, the European Commission–backed center that helps EU innovators soft-land, scale, and succeed in Latin America.
Together, we’re opening new routes for the InnovX community to connect, collaborate, and grow across continents. 🤝
ENRICH in LAC
🧠QX at INNOVIT San Francisco
This August, Zoran Nasteski, Global Entrepreneur, Deep-tech Innovator, and CEO of QX, returned to San Francisco after 10 years to pitch at INNOVIT - Italian Innovation and Culture Hub Demo Day.
Backed by sharp coaching from Donna Griffith and mentorship from Jalaj Hora and the Innovit team, Zoran delivered a classic one-minute elevator pitch, not chasing trends, but presenting a bold vision for sustainable, human-centric AI.
QX is building decentralized infrastructure that empowers cities, enterprises, and everyday users to run small, efficient, self-sovereign AI agents and models. By leveraging nominated proof-of-stake blockchain, edge, and cloud computing, their mission is to make AI not only powerful, but also accessible, sustainable, and practical.
We’re proud to see leaders from our community showcase Romanian innovation on such a global stage, proving once again that the future of tech is being shaped by those who dare to think differently. 🌍✨
INNOVIT - Italian Innovation & Culture Hub
🚢TTS Strengthens Governance with New Independent Chair
We’re proud to share that Ana Bobircă, Chief Investment Officer at InnovX, has been appointed as the first independent Chair of the Board of Directors at TTS (Transport Trade Services) S.A.
This marks an important step in TTS’s journey toward stronger governance and long-term growth. As Ana shared, the company’s focus is on sustainable growth, rigorous execution, and projects that deliver real impact along the Danube logistics chain.
It’s also a moment of transition and recognition: Mircea Mihăilescu, who has played a decisive role in building and developing TTS, concluded his mandate as Chair and was named Honorary President of the Board.
We celebrate Ana’s appointment as a milestone not only for TTS, but also for the broader InnovX community, proof of the leadership, expertise, and vision that continues to define our ecosystem. 🌍
Our alumni keep pushing boundaries, entering new markets, winning recognition, and building partnerships that set the tone for what’s next. Here’s a glimpse at the milestones they reached this month.
🌿 LAM’ON Joins the DiMAT Programme
We’re proud to celebrate a new milestone from LAM’ON® Compostable Films — recently selected as one of the Early Adopters in the DiMAT programme, a European initiative supporting companies in testing and shaping next-gen digital tools for materials manufacturing.
Over the past two months, the LAM’ON team has explored everything from advanced knowledge databases to digital twins for real-time process control. For a company dedicated to sustainable packaging, this collaboration marks a game-changing step toward smarter decisions, faster innovation, and scalable impact.
As CEO Angela Ivanova puts it: “This experience gives us a roadmap to better decisions, faster innovation, and long-term scalability.”
🔗 Learn more about their journey here
🤝 Devhd Expands Collaboration in Germany
This August, Adrian Herdan, CEO of Devhd | Premier ServiceNow Partner, announced a new collaboration with exccon, a move driven by both complementarity and rising demand for ServiceNow solutions in Germany.
While exccon brings deep knowledge of the local market, Devhd contributes strong execution capacity, solution architecture, and advanced technical expertise through a mature team that covers the full delivery cycle, from consulting and analysis, to development and project management.
Together, they’re building a partnership that not only strengthens ServiceNow delivery in Germany, but also showcases the international impact of companies from our community. 🌍
🔗 Read more about the collaboration
Upcoming Events
✨ The next months are packed with opportunities for founders to connect, pitch, and scale. Here’s a look at the upcoming events shaping founders' journeys.
🩺 Healthcare Forward: Shaping Tomorrow’s Solutions
Healthcare is one of the fastest-evolving sectors, and innovation is at its core. At the invitation of the BRCC, InnovX will be represented on stage by two community leaders, on September 4:
✨ Raul Olesch, CEO & Founder of OLSTRAL
Raul Olesch, OLSTRAL
✨ Bogdan Urdea, Business Development Manager at KOGAION COM
Bogdan Urdea, KOGAION
Together, they will showcase how Romanian innovation is contributing to the future of healthcare through advanced engineering and transformative solutions.
🔗 Discover more & register here
Pitch Night in Tokyo: Step into Europe through Vienna
Innovation doesn’t stop at borders! And this October, the spotlight turns to Japan. On October 8, 2025, Shibuya Startup Support and Vienna Business Agency will co-host a special edition of Snack & Connect at Shibuya Bridge, Tokyo.
The event will bring together Japanese startups with global ambition, offering them the chance to pitch for a place in the Vienna Startup Package 2026: a full acceleration program covering travel, accommodation, and immersion in one of Europe’s most founder-friendly ecosystems.
Why Vienna?
- Strategic EU gateway with access to 450M+ consumers
- Affordable, founder-friendly ecosystem with strong public funding
- Thriving innovation & tech scene (2,600+ startups and counting)
- World-class talent pool and top-ranked quality of life
Applications for Japanese startups are open until September 10 👉 Apply here
This collaboration is yet another example of how European innovation hubs are creating bridges with Asia, opening doors for founders to scale internationally. 🚀
Snack & Connect
🥨 Bits & Pretzels Founders Festival
One of Europe’s most iconic startup events is back, bringing together 10,000+ founders, investors, and leaders under one roof in Munich. Over three days, Bits & Pretzels offers unparalleled networking, inspirational keynotes, and a unique chance to connect with Europe’s most ambitious startup community.
For founders, it’s more than just a festival; it’s where big ideas meet bold investors, and where the next generation of scale-ups takes shape.
🔗 Discover more & join the festival
Home of Founders
IT Arena – Lviv, Sept 26–28
Eastern Europe’s biggest tech conference returns to Lviv, bringing together 4,000+ participants, 100+ speakers, and 100+ investors for three days of innovation, knowledge-sharing, and networking.
With a strong focus on startups, product innovation, and the future of tech, IT Arena is the place where ideas meet investment and where Eastern Europe connects with global opportunities.
🔗 Discover more & join the conference
IT Arena
ECYBRIDGE WP8 Training – Common and Coordinated EU Efforts
As part of the @ECYBRIDGE project, this training will explore how Europe can strengthen cyber resilience through common and coordinated efforts across civil and defence sectors.
The session will take place between 24-25 September, in Brussels, Belgium.
The sessions will bring together policymakers, industry experts, and innovators to align strategies, share best practices, and build stronger EU-wide responses to today’s cybersecurity challenges.
🔗 Discover more about the training
ECYBRIDGE Training
📈 Masterclass Powered by Yespo: Omnichannel CDP
On September 5, join an interactive online workshop designed to help e-commerce leaders stop wasting resources and focus their marketing efforts where they matter most.
Led by Dmytro Kudrenko, an e-commerce expert with 20+ years of experience, the session will cover:
- Proven strategies for smarter marketing decisions
- Real-life case studies and best practices
- Practical tools to boost e-commerce growth
From applications closing to new partnerships, alumni milestones, and global events, August reminded us that innovation doesn’t take a summer break; it just shifts gears. 🚀
Whether you’re a founder, partner, or ecosystem ally, thank you for being part of the InnovX journey. The stories we’ve shared this month are just the beginning, and the months ahead promise even more momentum.
📬 Don’t miss what’s next. Subscribe to our Monthly Digest and get all our updates delivered straight to your inbox — no noise, just the news that matters.
Until next time, stay curious, stay connected, and keep building the future.
The InnovX Team 💡