Over 500 business professionals participated in the third edition of the Smart Alliance Innovation SUMMIT, the largest event dedicated to Romanian innovation.

BUCHAREST – Tuesday, November 6, 2018, representatives of the business environment, international associations, IT specialists, chambers of commerce and embassies, as well as the academic environment, gathered for the third edition of the SMART ALLIANCE INNOVATION SUMMIT. Held under the auspices of Romania’s Centenary, the event brought together over 500 participants around the theme “Romanian Innovation Engine”.

The success of the event, which took place at the Intercontinental Hotel in Bucharest, was driven by the participation of over 40 different industries, the quality of the presentations, and, not least, the innovations presented, both by partners and especially by members.

Across the three sections of the SUMMIT, there were 23 local and international speakers, leaders in their fields, who presented some of the most innovative technological solutions in Romania. Two of the panels debated some of the most relevant aspects of Romania’s ICT sector: Reshape the future of Romanian R&D, which included entrepreneurs, innovation leaders, and representatives of the academic environment, and Romanian Innovation Engine, which brought together some of the most prolific innovators, members of the cluster.

“Romanian innovation was once again brought into the spotlight, with this year’s edition standing out through its increased focus on creating a favorable networking environment. We created the Smart B2B MeetPoint, which included 195 minutes of intense and practical networking. In addition to the innovative technologies presented by our members and partners, participants also engaged with promoters of Romanian business abroad—chambers of commerce and embassies—together with whom we succeeded in creating one of the best business events for the Romanian business environment,” stated Gabriel MUNTEANU, President of Smart Alliance – Innovation Technology Cluster.

At the opening, Emanuela MODORAN, CEO of Smart Alliance – Innovation Technology Cluster, and Torkild FOLLAUG, CEO of IKT Telemark, presented for the first time an online platform designed to connect SMEs, research and technology transfer centers, and international partners—one of the most important projects aimed at international matchmaking.

Reshape the future of Romanian R&D, moderated by Elena UNCIULEANU, Executive Manager at Reporting Center & Founder @Tech Ventures, was an interactive session where speakers and the audience explored feasible solutions for creating research and innovation centers in Romania’s ICT sector.
“There is significant untapped potential in Romania. Romanian start-ups certainly have both the technical skills and creativity required for research, development, and innovation, but they must pay equal attention to business aspects. One solution is the introduction of measures that stimulate venture capital funds in the Romanian market, which can in turn provide funding as well as guidance on commercialization and internationalization,” stated Eduard BEYER, Consultant at Deloitte & Treasurer/Board Member of the Romanian South African Business Association.

During the general debates, cluster members presented concepts and innovative solutions that have already reached maturity and demonstrated that each has the potential to become an important component of the Romanian innovation engine.

The section titled Smart B2B MeetPoint was held under the patronage of the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Romania and ROSABA (Romanian South African Business Association) and was aimed at those interested in concrete solutions for promoting local innovation on the global market. We were honored by the active participation of chambers of commerce and their openness toward innovation and collaboration.

Electronic and electrical waste has the highest growth rate globally, making environmental protection by companies active in the IT market a priority.
“As the community concerned with environmental issues grew, and more people began asking where they could recycle, our natural response was to develop a new version of the <<Where to Recycle>> application, with extended functionalities for both users and potential partners,” stated Andrei ORBAN, President of Environ.

We were supported, as every year, by a significant number of global technology partners, including BITDEFENDER, CANON, LENOVO, EATON, CERTSIGN, YSOFT, ZEBRA, as well as organizations such as ENVIRON Association, CIO Council, BCPA, and UNPR (National Union of Romanian Employers).

Civil Society Partners: AIESEC, ANSSI, Smart City and Mobility Association, BCPA – Brașoveanu, Cernat and Partners Law Firm, CIO Council, Environ Association, ROSABA, Spiru Haret University, UNPR (National Union of Romanian Employers), USH Pro Business

Preferred Technology Partners: ASUS, Bitdefender, Canon, certSIGN, EATON, EPSON, Fortinet, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IDS, Lenovo, MobileIron, Oracle Partner Network, Samsung, YSOFT, Zebra

Preferred Distribution Partners: Headtechnology, Ingram, RomsymData, Sama Consul, Veracomp

International Network Partners: Embassy of the United States in Romania, Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Romania, Embassy of Canada in Romania, AMCHAM – American Chamber of Commerce in Romania, British Romanian Chamber of Commerce, Hellenic-Romanian Chamber of Commerce, Belgian-Romanian Chamber of Commerce, Polish-Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Romania), Romanian-Canadian Bilateral Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dutch Romanian Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania, Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIB)

Media Partners: Agerpres, Bursa, Canal 33, Business Review, Startup Café