Applications open for Tech Catalyst competition targeting Romanian urban tech startups

Glovo has launched the second edition of Tech Catalyst in Romania, a competition for local startups in the scaling stage that are developing solutions with an impact on cities and urban life. The initiative is part of Glovo’s global Power Up strategic programme and aims to identify and support high-potential Romanian startups operating in areas including logistics, AI, fintech, foodtech, and sustainability.

The competition is open to Romanian startups that have already launched their products on the market, have established teams of around 5 to 50 employees, and are generating revenue. Eligible companies should be at more mature development stages, such as Late Seed or Series A, and require expertise, partnerships, and international exposure to advance to their next stage of growth.

The winning startup will receive a EUR 5,000 prize, while two members of its team will participate in StartUp Campus 2026, taking place between 6 and 8 October at Glovo’s Yellow Park headquarters in Barcelona.

StartUp Campus is Glovo’s international entrepreneurship programme, bringing together some of the most promising startups from the markets where the company operates. The three-day programme includes mentoring, masterclasses, networking with investors and industry experts, and direct access to Glovo’s leadership team.

Participation is free and open to startups across Romania. Applications can be submitted through the form available on the competition website until 4 September 2026. The proposed solutions must have the potential to be integrated, scaled, or developed through partnerships across wider urban contexts.

“Romania has an increasingly mature tech ecosystem, with ambitious founders and solutions that can address real urban needs. Through Tech Catalyst, we want to support startups that have moved beyond the idea stage and are at an important point in their growth, where access to expertise, mentoring, and partnerships can significantly accelerate their development. For Glovo, this programme is a way to contribute to the local innovation ecosystem and the digital transformation of cities,” said Bogdan Meica, General Manager of Glovo Romania.

The four main evaluation criteria are urban utility, measuring the solution’s relevance to the actual needs of cities and its impact on residents; innovation, based on the originality of the concept and its use of technology; its capacity for integration into the urban ecosystem, including links with existing services, systems, or partners; and market feasibility, assessed through the sustainability of the business model and the solution’s scaling potential.

Applications are open until 4 September 2026. Entries will be assessed online between 7 and 11 September, after which the five strongest startups will be selected as finalists. The final event will take place on 22 September, when the shortlisted teams will present their solutions to a panel of experts.

The winner will be announced on 28 September and will represent Romania at StartUp Campus 2026 in Barcelona between 6 and 8 October.

The jury will include Glovo representatives and experts from Romania’s startup, technology, public administration, and digital innovation ecosystems.

In Romania, Tech Catalyst is organised in partnership with the Romanian Association of Municipalities (AMR), the CITI Cluster, the International Technical Centre for Smart City Innovation, and ROStartup. The three organisations support innovation, entrepreneurship, and cooperation between the public and private sectors.

More broadly, Glovo’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has already generated a significant multiplier effect: a total of 58 startups founded by former Glovo employees have collectively raised more than EUR 170 million.

The first edition of Tech Catalyst Romania awarded three innovative urban technology solutions with strong potential for real-world impact.

The EUR 3,000 Grand Prize for Best Existing Application was awarded to AtruX, a digital assistant developed by a team of six high school and university students from Cluj with an interest in IT.

The solution is designed for freight transport companies and aims to digitalise CMR documentation and transport planning, while also helping reduce the number of thefts from lorries.

The EUR 3,000 prize for Best Application Idea was awarded to Defensive Pedal, the first navigation platform designed to prioritise cyclists’ safety rather than the shortest route, positioning itself as a “Google Maps for safe cycling”.

The EUR 2,000 Jury Prize – Rising Star was awarded to VOXCITY, an application designed to give citizens a direct voice in local decision-making through secure digital voting, transparent consultations, and results displayed in real time, with the aim of rebuilding trust between communities and public authorities.