At BT Stup, Bucharest, over 50 entrepreneurs and investors gathered earlier this month to discuss access to capital, which remains one of the biggest challenges for Romanian companies ready to scale.
The first edition of the Financing & IPO Summit, organized by VERTIK Group with the support of the European Investment Bank. Over the course of one day, over 100 participants from across the financial spectrum got together to discuss the main capital routes available in CEE, with perspectives from international financial institutions, private equity and venture capital funds, entrepreneurs, capital market representatives, and consultants.
The conversation revolved around a pressing topic: for Romanian entrepreneurs, access to financing has become a necessity.
“It’s not enough to have a good idea. Investors today are looking for financial discipline, governance, and a clear growth story,” said Daniela Maior and Daniela Aldescu, Partners at VERTIKGroup, which also includes the VERTIK Association for the Future, a think tank focused on sustainable economic development.
Their message was supported by institutional voices. Ioannis Tsakiris, Vice President at the EIB, underlined the need for an integrated European capital market, while Radu Hanga, President of the Bucharest Stock Exchange, emphasized that “the capital market is not just about money, but about visibility, trust, and legitimacy.”
From the investor side, the EIB’s Marius Cara highlighted the breadth of financing tools now available, spanning from venture-backed startups to large-scale infrastructure projects.
Lessons from Those Who’Ve Raised Capital
The event also spotlighted founders who’ve already navigated this path. Peter de Boer, CEO of DN AGRAR Group, shared that the company’s listing on the Bucharest Stock Exchange in 2022 brought not only funding but accountability. For Radu Savopol, Co-founder of 5 to go, trust and discipline were key to attracting investment.
Across all discussions, four recurring themes emerged as essential conditions for accessing capital:
- Clarity of the business model: solid numbers, profitability, and sustainability.
- Governance and transparency: consistent reporting, ESG practices, and strong management.
- Scalability: regional expansion and new market vision.
- Story and positioning: strategic communication that builds investor confidence.
These criteria, as reflected in The Recursive’s Money in Motion report presented at the summit, show a maturing regional and local market where narrative and governance weigh just as heavily as financial metrics. Our report maps the evolving capital flows and investor appetite across the region for high net-worth individuals.
Towards a More Connected Financing Ecosystem
Although the enthusiasm and entrepreneurial drive are undeniable, the event made it clear that Romania still needs more bridges between founders and capital markets. This is why VERTIK aims to build an annual platform that brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to accelerate capital readiness.
The Financing & IPO Summit featured insights from IFC, EBRD, Forvis Mazars, eVantage Soft, Limitless Agency, Fortech Investments, Invenio Partners, and other actors shaping the regional financing landscape.
