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26 teams. 4 weeks. Real products.

Cohort 1 proved that you can build something great in tech no matter what city you come from.

So, what is Vest Ventures?

The short version: a Pre-Acceleration program for people who have an idea and want to find out if it actually works. No theory, no PowerPoint decks about "entrepreneurial mindset", just real workshops, mentors who've been through the process themselves, and sessions where you validate your idea directly with potential customers.

Vest Ventures officially launched on February 4, 2026. Over 140 people applied from across the western region and beyond. 29 teams entered the program. 26 made it to the Demo Day stage with functioning MVPs.

What actually got built

From AI for architects that transforms a photo sketch into an editable CAD plan, to social networking apps, accounting automation solutions for small businesses, and video transparency tools for car service centers, the range of projects was, honestly, surprising for a first cohort.

Add to that concepts spanning fintech, smart home, hospitality tech, and entertainment. Essentially a mini-ecosystem built from scratch in just a few weeks.

"Beyond the impressive number of applications, what stood out to us was the quality of the profiles. Many of the participants bring real industry experience and see entrepreneurship as a deliberate next step, not an experiment. That experience isn't a minor detail, it's the fuel that can turn an idea into a viable product much faster than you'd expect." Andrei Cosmin Munteanu, Acceleration Programs Manager

Not just Timișoara

Before the program kicked off, the team toured the western region: Arad, Reșița, Deva, Hunedoara, and Timișoara hosting Idea Lab events, ideation sessions, and team-forming mix & match events. Over 288 people were involved. These events were held in partnership with local academic institutions, including Vasile Goldiș Western University and Aurel Vlaicu University in Arad, West University of Timișoara, Politehnica University of Timișoara, Decebal National College in Deva, UPT's Faculty of Engineering in Hunedoara, and UBB's University Center in Reșița. From the very beginning, the program was built as a connected regional ecosystem, not just a local initiative based in Timișoara.

Applications for Cohort 2 are open

You don't need a fully formed idea. The program is designed so you can walk in with a vague thought, a problem you've noticed around you, or simply the drive to build something. Vest Ventures helps you clarify, validate, and create alongside mentors and a community going through the same process.

The Idea Lab event on June 3, 2026, at Cowork Timișoara - The Office, starting at 6:30 PM, is the perfect place to get a feel for the community before you apply.

Apply: vestventures.vc/ro/stages-pre-accelerator

Updates: @vestventures.preacceleration on Instagram

Your idea has been sitting in your notes for too long. Maybe it's time to do something with it.