Romanian startups announced €95 million in funding during the first half of 2026—but raising money is only the beginning. The real test is whether that capital creates global products or simply extends the runway of local businesses. Romania no longer lacks technical talent or promising ideas. What it still lacks is enough founders willing to think beyond the local market from day one. A startup’s success shouldn’t be measured by how much it raises, but by what the money helps it build, how many customers it reaches and whether it can compete internationally.
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