Andrei Munteanu: ”To realize our vision, we must not only dream big but also act collectively”

The documentary "Romanian Startups: Roaring Tigers of Europe", made by the start-up.ro team, spans across 33 years of history, from the first entrepreneurs in the transitional years to the initial technology company transactions that brought Romania into the international spotlight.

Romanian Startups: Roaring Tigers of Europe - The Extended Series will present the people who built the Romanian ecosystem and who discussed with the VideoCorp and start-up.ro team for this documentary. In this series you will find the extensive interviews and find out the stories of those who built entrepreneurship in Romania.

He had mostly a traditional path up until now: studied computer science, worked for a corporation, and eventually diving headfirst into the startup ecosystem.

“The fact that having a technical background and being all about the people and being super community focused, somehow helped me to breach the gap in between these two worlds. What we strive to do is first and foremost bring bring the entire community together to develop a local but even actually a regional ecosystem in the western part of Romania”, Andrei told us in our interview for the Romanian Startups: Roaring Tigers of Europe documentary, that took place at the 2023 edition of How to Web, an event that manages to bring together startup communities from Romania, Europe and all around the world.

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Andrei Munteanu, cofounder and CEO of Cowork Timișoara, remembered a transformative experience at a Startup Weekend event back in 2013, which ignited his passion for fostering innovation and community collaboration within the regional tech scene.

Andrei emphasized the importance of community building and collaboration among stakeholders—founders, the public sector, and educational institutions—aiming to develop a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Timisoara.

“Innovation thrives in communities; it is through collaboration that we transform ideas into impactful realities.”

He also talked about a long-term vision of nurturing “moonicorns” (successful startups on their way to becoming unicorns), a term coined by Growceanu, a community of angel investors based in Timișoara, and highlighted the pride in local success stories that serve as mentors for newer entrepreneurs.

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He also mentioned some challenges faced by the local ecosystem, including a tendency towards comfortable, traditional career paths and the need for a shift in mindset to embrace entrepreneurship as a viable alternative.

“Entrepreneurship is not just a career choice; it’s a journey that requires resilience, mentorship, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty.”

Moreover, Andrei underlined the need for an active collaboration across regional tech communities in Romania and beyond, advocating for the sharing of knowledge and resources. He highlighted the significance of mentorship and the importance of preparing for potential challenges that future startups may face, and calls on all the stakeholders to work together to place Romania firmly on the global tech map.

“To realize our vision, we must not only dream big but also act collectively, harnessing our resources to elevate our local landscape on a global stage.”

We’ve discussed at length with Andrei Munteanu for the Romanian Startups: Roaring Tigers of Europe documentary.

• The importance of building an ecosystem: Andrei stated that a thriving startup ecosystem cannot be built in isolation. It requires active participation and collaboration among various stakeholders, including private entities, educational institutions, and government bodies. By bringing these actors together, communities can create synergies that foster innovation and entrepreneurial success. This insight underscores the value of networking and shared resources as critical components of ecosystem growth.
• The role of mentorship: Mentorship is a vital element in the startup journey. Successful entrepreneurs serve as mentors for newcomers, sharing their experiences and providing guidance. This creates a cycle of learning that can accelerate the growth of the community. Andrei’s mention of “moonicorns” reflects the idea that success stories can inspire and motivate others, leading to a more robust entrepreneurial culture.
• Shift in mindset is required: Andrei Munteanu points out the prevalence of comfortable career paths in Timisoara, where many individuals prefer stable jobs in multinational companies rather than pursuing the uncertain path of entrepreneurship. This mindset shift is necessary for fostering a culture that embraces risk-taking and innovation. Encouraging individuals to explore entrepreneurship as a viable career option can open up new avenues for growth and development.
• A long-term vision: Andreir’s commitment to a long-term mission of nurturing the startup ecosystem suggests that change takes time. It’s a gradual process that requires continuous effort and dedication. As the ecosystem develops, the expectation is that more verticals will emerge, and new success stories will follow. This perspective highlights the need for patience and perseverance in entrepreneurial endeavors.

• Regional collaboration: The emphasis on collaboration across different cities in Romania and beyond underscores the interconnected nature of startup ecosystems. By sharing knowledge, resources, and experiences, cities can collectively accelerate their growth. His own engagement with community leaders across the country demonstrates the importance of building a cohesive network that can support entrepreneurs at various stages.
• Focus on value creation: Andrei talks about a need to shift the focus from merely developing tech solutions to creating digital products that deliver real value and have paying customers. This insight is crucial for startups aiming to achieve sustainability and long-term success. Understanding the customer’s needs and creating solutions that address those needs is fundamental to building a successful business.
• Global positioning: The aspiration to place Romania on the global tech map reflects a broader ambition to gain international recognition for local startups. By showcasing the talent and innovation present in the region, the speaker hopes to attract attention and investment, ultimately elevating Romania’s status in the global startup ecosystem. This global perspective encourages local entrepreneurs to think beyond their borders and aspire to make a mark on the international stage.

Roaring Tigers of Europe is a production by start-up.ro and Videocorp, part of the Romanian publishing company InternetCorp, active for almost 20 years on the market. The documentary was made with the support of partners BCR, Orange, and 2Performant. Community partners included Guran Consulting Global, How to Web, Launch, Impact Hub Bucharest, Flaviu Simihaian, Rubik Hub, SoftServe, and the Romanian-American University.

Watch the full documentary in the video below: