The Romanian and CEE startup ecosystems are set to grow in 2026 following two years of structural changes in the way capital was formed and deployed in the region. Going forward, funds will be looking to startups working on AI-driven B2B software, cybersecurity, and dual-use technology, as well as fintech infrastructure. By Ovidiu Posirca Romania will be entering 2026 with more early-stage capital available than at any time in its startup history, says Cristian Dascalu, managing partner of