What it is
Transylvania Venture Day is an afternoon event in Cluj-Napoca where selected start-ups and research teams pitch to investors. It was initiated by Techcelerator, a Romanian accelerator founded in 2018 and backed by the GapMinder VC fund, together with the Romanian Tech Startups Association (ROTSA). INNO, the innovation service of the North-West Regional Development Agency, is co-organiser. The organiser describes it as a regional edition held twice a year, in the second and fourth quarters, in English.
The 2026 edition is listed for 7 December, from 15:00 to 20:30, at The Office Conference Center. The event page calls this a Tuesday, and its agenda heading says 8 December; 7 December 2026 is in fact a Monday, so confirm the date with the organiser.
How the programme works
Each edition puts a curated selection of teams on stage. Every team gives a short pitch combined with a live product demo, then takes questions from a jury of entrepreneurs, investors and business angels. Between the two pitching sessions there is an investor panel on the funding climate and what investors expect from regional start-ups, and the afternoon ends with networking. Selected teams get a short preparation session beforehand.
Who goes and how to take part
Four groups can pitch: early-stage start-ups with a working product, scale-ups raising their next round, established product companies launching a spin-off, and university or research teams with technology ready for commercialisation. Teams are chosen on the strength of the team, the product’s market potential, traction and investment readiness. For 2026, applications to pitch close on 15 November. Attendance is free but invitation-based, with registration on Luma; investors and sponsors are asked to contact the organiser.
What came before
The event continues Transylvania Demo Day, the pitching series ROTSA started in Cluj-Napoca in 2013, which later ran in Bucharest, Timișoara and Iași as well. ROTSA also ran an Investors Day with Techcelerator. We could not find published results, such as funding raised, from past editions.
Why it matters for cities
The organiser invites public stakeholders alongside investors and companies, and the regional development agency is a co-organiser. For local officials and university staff, it is a compact way to see which technology companies and research spin-offs in the region are trying to raise money.
Going, or following from home
There is no online format announced. Founders should apply to pitch before 15 November; others need an invitation through the Luma registration.