The 13 Romanian startups selected for the Go Global accelerator final took their first concrete steps towards international expansion in Milan, from 24 to 27 February 2025.
During the four-day programme in Milan, the finalist teams held more than 400 meetings with investors, consultants and experts in fields including venture capital, ICT and international business consultancy.
These meetings gave participants the opportunity to receive direct feedback and build relationships essential to their global development.
Here is a glimpse of the working atmosphere during the first few days:
The 13 startups, whose combined turnover is approximately €10 million, operate in fields including IT, healthcare, the environment and finance.
Go Global is an accelerator for businesses built on the latest technologies, conceived by UPGRADE 100 and How to Web, led by Arieli Innovate, supported by Raiffeisen Bank Romania, with the backing of AmCham Romania.
The final day featured an exhibition where each startup presented its vision and expansion objectives, aiming to convince investors of its global potential.
The final presentations, adjusted in response to feedback, gave each company an opportunity to improve its international expansion strategy.
Here is what the atmosphere was like at this stage:
- Discover the 13 finalist startups—Romanian businesses that have already taken a step into the future—in this article.
A final stage full of insights and opportunities
Alongside representatives of the 13 startups, Milan welcomed members of the Upgrade 100 team: co-founder Dragoș Stanca and Executive Director Smaranda Heroiu, together with account manager Andreea Iancu, representing the format’s co-producer, How to Web.
Raiffeisen Bank Romania was represented by Bogdan Popa, Vice President of IT & Operations, pictured on the right alongside Dragoș Stanca.
“I was pleasantly surprised by the diversity of the startups in the final stage, their energy and their determination to establish themselves globally. The entire programme was an extraordinary journey, with learning sessions, networking and constructive exchanges of ideas from which we all learned something. As a programme partner, we encourage all finalists to continue building on the experience and connections they have gained, taking the Go Global vision to the next level,” said Bogdan Popa.
Beyond the dozens of exploratory meetings available to each entrepreneur, the representatives of these aspiring unicorns also learned how to approach a potential investor.
“I believe one of the main components of the programme that created almost immediate value for every team was connecting with professionals whose feedback helped clarify their own objectives,” explained Smaranda Heroiu, Executive Director of Upgrade 100, pictured here.
“We had the opportunity to speak with business professionals who offered valuable suggestions for improving the sales strategy for their solutions.
All participants also significantly expanded their networks, gaining access to venture capital and funding investors whose contact details would not normally have been available.”
“The startups representing us in Milan reflect the spirit of Romanian founders: ambitious, talented and ready to take their products to international markets. Through Go Global, the selected startups saved valuable time in their growth journey, gaining access to a strong network that opened the way to valuable opportunities,” added Andreea Iancu, pictured here, on behalf of How to Web.
The business specialists and investors in the programme also contributed fully, enabling everyone to finish their Italian experience with significant business progress.
How were the finalist startups selected?
The Go Global accelerator finalists were selected by a jury following a process lasting several months.
The initial phase included interviews and meetings, as well as a meetup that you can read about here.
The finalists’ week in Milan, 24–27 March, included hundreds of meetings and, on the final day, Thursday 27 March, the exhibition and final presentations.
The project continues, so follow our website to learn about future startup selections for the Go Global accelerator!
Discover more resources!
The articles below explain the concept and can help you decide whether your business could benefit from the programme’s acceleration methodology:
- 13 Romanian Startups Reach the Final Stage of the Go Global Tech Business Accelerator!
- VIDEO REPORT | Romanian Tech Startups with Global Ambitions Meet in Bucharest Ahead of Next Year’s Milan Accelerator
- INTERVIEW | Funding, Know-how and Networking for Your Startup’s International Launch—with Or Haviv, Partner at Arieli Capital
- What Entrepreneurs from Italy, Slovenia and Israel Say About the Arieli Capital Accelerator, Brought to Romania by Upgrade 100 with How to Web, AmCham and Raiffeisen Bank
- Why GO GLOBAL Matters for Romanian Tech Startups: Insights from the How to Web Launch and the Upgrade 100 Live Podcast