Be Strong Tennis, part of Craiova’s oldest sports club CS Atlas, is advancing its development with the launch of a €1.18 million multifunctional sports hall, co-financed by nearly €800,000 in non-reimbursable funding, including €635,000 from the EU’s Just Transition Fund.
👯 Founders: Cristian Ciocan-Stănescu
📅 Founding year: 2017
🏭 Industry: Sports and Recreational Education
💥 Problem: Lack of modern, energy-efficient sports infrastructure and integrated development programs for young athletes in the region.
📣 Solution: Construction of a multifunctional NZEB-certified sports hall with tennis, paddle, physiotherapy, nutrition, and fitness facilities, backed by EU and private investment.
👥 Customers: Youth athletes, schools (via partnership with Dolj County School Inspectorate), and local community members seeking modern training and recovery services.
🌱 Stage: Growth
💰 Investment amount: €1.18 million
🚀 Funded by: European Union (Just Transition Fund), Banca Transilvania, European Investment Fund
👁️🗨️ Investor’s perspective:
“A flagship project contributing to the development of sports infrastructure, energy efficiency, and community support — deserving of full-value backing.” – Banca Transilvania
💡 It will be spent on: Construction of an energy-efficient sports complex featuring advanced systems like photovoltaic panels, heat pumps, and rainwater harvesting, plus multi-sport and recovery facilities.
💬 In their own words:
“For over two decades, we’ve stayed committed to one guiding vision: if we want future generations to view sports as a path to personal growth or a viable career, we need to invest in a consistent and integrated way.” – Cristian Ciocan-Stănescu, CEO
💪 Their specialty: High-performance athlete development, sports education, and community engagement through sustainable infrastructure and expert training.
🔑 Business model: Revenue through sports education programs, club memberships, facility rentals, and school partnerships; supported by EU grants and private investment.
👩🏫 Market: Local and regional sports education market; aspiring athletes and sports enthusiasts in Craiova and surrounding areas.
📊 Traction: Over 20,000 athletes have benefited from the club’s programs; ranked 1st in Dolj County in Sports and Recreational Education (field 8551).
