The European Innovation Scoreboard 2025 is out – and once again, Romania finds itself near the bottom of the EU rankings across most indicators.
The one bright spot?
We’ve got excellent access to high-speed internet.
So at least we’re lagging... fast.
But beyond headlines and rankings, the real story lies in the nuance. The data shows an ecosystem where both strengths and systemic weaknesses coexist. One where potential exists – but it’s still disconnected.
Romania at a crossroads
We’re in a strange place. On one hand, Romania has above-average entrepreneurship rates compared to the EU – proof that people want to build, take risks, and innovate.
On the other, we face structural barriers:
– a wide gap between local and foreign investment
– limited participation in Horizon Europe
– and very few SMEs embracing innovation or collaboration as part of their growth strategy
With the next EU framework for research and innovation (FP10) already in draft, Romania urgently needs to rethink its approach. Strengthening SME engagement, building innovation capacity, and aligning with EU priorities is not just important – it’s essential if we want a meaningful seat at the table.
Even more concerning? Five out of Romania’s eight development regions are among the seven worst-performing in the entire European scoreboard.
Where are we falling behind?
Year after year, Romania underperforms in key areas:
- share of population with higher education
- SMEs introducing process innovations
- innovative SMEs collaborating with others
And more alarmingly, since 2024 we’ve seen steady declines in some of the most critical innovation metrics:
– fewer sales from market or firm-level innovation
– declining venture capital investment
– weakening collaboration among SMEs
Weak spots can become leverage points
This isn’t just about scoreboard positions – it’s about identifying the pressure points where targeted action is both needed and possible.
That’s why Tech Connect – the Technology Transfer Festival was created: as a joint action platform for Romania’s innovation ecosystem. A space where public authorities, universities, research centers, companies and support organizations can align efforts to turn potential into real results.
Initiated by Iceberg+ together with national and European partners, the festival is part of a broader set of initiatives focused on:
– strengthening SME innovation capacity
– bridging the gap between research and industry
– improving access to funding and venture capital
– building strategic infrastructure for technology transfer
What we’re doing – and who with
Across the networks and programs we help shape, we’re working directly on the indicators that can shift Romania’s performance:
- helping SMEs adopt innovation, through our CATTIA business incubator and inVest urban mobility accelerator
- enabling cross-sector and cross-border innovation partnerships
- scaling up innovation sales and tech transfer, through European ecosystems, CITT4IT, +ONE incubator and Tech Connect
- improving access to funding and venture capital, through the FIT European Digital Innovation Hub
We’re not doing this alone. We’re part of a wider ecosystem that includes: EIT Community RIS Hub Romania, EIT Urban Mobility, EIT Manufacturing, InnoEnergy, Enterprise Europe Network, ROStartup, and RoDIH – all working toward transforming how innovation happens in Romania and the region.
What needs to happen next?
What we do works – but it’s not enough.
The data makes it clear: we need to scale together.
So here’s our open question to the community:
Who else needs to step in?
Which institutions, companies or communities could – and should – play a bigger role in boosting Romania’s innovation performance?
Write to us. Join us at Tech Connect. Be part of the conversation.
Because transforming an innovation ecosystem isn’t a solo sprint.
It’s a collective race.
And we’re already on the track.
