Sibiu Innovation Days 2025 took place on 6–7 November in the beautiful city of Sibiu (Romania), offering an inspiring setting that brought together people, ideas, and energy in a truly engaging way. Over the course of two dynamic days filled with presentations, discussions, and interactive sessions, the event continued to advance its core mission, building bridges between academia, industry, and the public sector to accelerate digital transformation and innovation.
Held under the theme “Emerging Technologies: Balancing Innovation, Risks, and Societal Impact,” this year’s edition provided a platform for exploring how cutting-edge technologies can drive progress while addressing the ethical and social challenges that accompany rapid change.
The story of Sibiu Innovation Days is closely tied to Cluj Innovation Days, Cluj IT Cluster’s flagship event which inspired local innovation actors to develop a sister platform for promoting innovation and collaboration among stakeholders. What began years ago as a local initiative in Cluj has grown into a strong regional movement, launched in close partnership between local main organizer Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu and Cluj IT. Together with Sibiu IT Cluster, which joined the organizers line-up in 2023, our teams worked to adapt the concept to Sibiu’s own context and priorities, while staying faithful to the spirit that has made Cluj Innovation Days a reference point in Romania’s innovation landscape.
The sixth edition of the conference was an integral part of Sibiu Innovation Week, organized in collaboration and supported by the local public administration.
The event program was compact, dynamic, and thoughtfully structured and was opened through welcome notes from Adrian Florea, Director of the Knowledge Transfer Centre HPI-LBUS, Ramona Samson from DG for Research and Innovation, as well as co-organizer’s leadership and keynote guests. Day 1 featured a series of inspiring keynote talks, panel discussions, and presentations exploring how technology is shaping education, industry, and the public sector. Day 2 transitioned toward hands-on sessions, workshops, and interactive discussions that encouraged participants to engage deeply with specific themes and share practical insights. This balance between visionary perspectives and applied knowledge made the event both relevant and genuinely engaging.
A highlight of the program was the strong representation of the Cluj IT Cluster community, whose members brought valuable expertise and innovative perspectives to the stage. We were proud to see Sorin Rotariu from GITS Group (GOLD Member of Cluj IT), Aurel Dosan from Datacor (SILVER Member), Ioan Solovăstru from MoonlySoft (SILVER Member), and Claudiu Popovici, collaborator for Hypermedia (GOLD Member), among the featured speakers.
Each delivered a presentation reflecting the diversity and depth of our ecosystem:
- Sorin Rotariu, CEO of GITS Group, presented “SmartAgriChain: Driving the Green Digital Transition in Agriculture.”
- Aurel Dosan, Sales Manager at Datacor, explored “Infrastructure for AI Data Centers.”
- Ioan Solovăstru, CEO & Founder of MoonlySoft, shared insights on “Building a Culture of Innovation.”
- Claudiu Popovici, Trainer, Coach, and Specialist in Stress Management & Wellbeing, presented “From Virtual Flow to Real-Life Void: Educating for Balance in the Tech Era.”
Their contributions not only enriched the event discussions but also underscored the key role Cluj IT Cluster members play in advancing digital transformation and innovation at the national level.
Sibiu Innovation Days 2025 proved to be the ideal platform for bridging the gap between support services for SMEs and the expertise offered by advisers from the Enterprise Europe Network and DIH4Society. The event created a meaningful convergence point where knowledge, tools, and practical guidance met the real needs of businesses, with particular focus on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence as key enablers of digital transformation.
Our participation reflected this collaborative spirit. Bianca Ionel and Delia Radziuk represented the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), while Diana Câmpian took part on behalf of DIH4Society, both initiatives in which Cluj IT Cluster plays a key role. This dual involvement brought additional depth and value to the discussions, linking Sibiu Innovation Days to broader European innovation networks, sharing expertise in digital innovation ecosystems, and opening new pathways for collaboration.
The experience clearly demonstrated how EU projects and initiatives can reinforce each other when connected within the same space, creating stronger synergies and a more integrated approach to supporting innovation and digitalization across Romania.
Networking, always a highlight, was as lively as ever. We had the chance to meet with representatives from universities, research groups, emerging tech companies, local authorities, and fellow clusters. Conversations flowed naturally, and it was refreshing to reconnect with familiar partners and discover new ones. Many of these exchanges are already turning into follow-up discussions, which is exactly what this kind of event is meant to spark.
Looking back, Sibiu Innovation Days 2025 felt like more than just an event. It was a reminder that innovation thrives when people come together with curiosity, openness, and a shared purpose. The partnership between Cluj IT Cluster, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu and Sibiu IT Cluster stands as a strong example of how collaboration can amplify impact and drive meaningful outcomes. Our collaboration reflects the value of trust, partnership, and a long-term vision, as essential ingredients for building a vibrant innovation ecosystem. As we move forward, Cluj IT and Sibiu IT Clusters remain committed to strengthening these bridges, supporting transformative initiatives, and contributing to an innovation-driven future that benefits communities across Romania and beyond.
