What will happen at Laser Valley Innovation Bootcamp, the event dedicated to research, innovation, and the creation of technology businesses?
Bucharest, June 11, 2024 — Laser Valley Innovation Bootcamp returns to the city of Măgurele for the second consecutive year. The event, dedicated to research, innovation, and the creation of technology businesses, brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, and students passionate about innovation and technology. Over 100 participants are expected at the Laser Valley Innovation Bootcamp. The event will take place from June 14-16 at Oteteleșanu Mansion and the National Library of Physics in Măgurele (Ilfov).
Laser Valley Innovation Bootcamp 2024 promises to be a landmark event for innovation and collaboration in technology in Romania, providing an ideal framework for the development of new ideas and projects.
Two hours before the official opening, participants at Laser Valley Innovation Bootcamp 2024 will have the opportunity to visit the ELI-NP laser, the world’s most advanced research facility in the field of photonuclear physics.
Following the opening, two discussion panels will take place. The first will feature representatives from the academic community, such as the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest and the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest. Additionally, representatives of public administration will be present, including the Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digitalization, the Ilfov County Council, Măgurele City Hall, and the Executive Unit for Financing Higher Education, Research, Development, and Innovation (UEFISCDI).
In the second panel, participants will connect with researchers and students from the National Institutes for Research and Development in Nuclear Physics and Engineering “Horia Hulubei” (IFIN-HH), Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics (INFLPR), Materials Physics (INCDFM), Earth Physics (INCDFP), Microtechnology (IMT), and Optoelectronics (INOE 2000).
An important moment on the first day of the bootcamp will be the formation of teams, consisting of/ which include entrepreneurs, researchers, and students, who will work together to develop new projects or proceed with existing ones.
On the second day of the Bootcamp, three workshops, open to both Laser Valley Innovation Bootcamp participants and those outside the bootcamp, will be organized. “Validation of the idea” will be the first workshop held by Alina Cătălina Bănuleasa (CEO & founder – Idea Morph).
The second workshop will feature Liviu Gherghescu (Head of Architecture – BCR), Adrian Stroie (Agile Coach – BCR), and Răzvan Crăciunescu (Associate Professor – UPB), who will address the topic “Prototyping and Minimum Viable Product.”
The third workshop, “Financing and Financial Sustainability,” will be conducted by Alexandru Codres (Regional Director at BCR Social Finance) and Roxana Lupașcu (Project Coordinator EEN2EIC Romania – MSP).
Additionally, on the second day, the formed teams will work on projects, seeking feedback, optimizing, and improving them. They will be mentored by Ana Maria Popescu (Chalmers Ventures), Horațiu Sofronie (BCR), Edmond Braticevici (Novartis), Mihai Cepoi (Jobful), Nicoleta Cherciu (ex-UiPath), Bogdan Iordache (Underline Ventures), Flavia Husar (FlowX), Alex Vesa (Cube), and many others.
On the third day, the projects will be presented to a jury.
“Laser Valley Innovation Bootcamp supports collaboration between leading researchers, the business community, and students. In Romania we have young people with immense potential, brilliant minds that we must continue to support through scholarships and research programs, both in the public sector and in the academic and private sectors. I commend the efforts and openness of everyone involved in this crucial project for research and innovation in Romania.” — Bogdan Ivan, Minister of Research, Innovation, and Digitalization
“To maintain the connection between the members of a community, especially when they belong to different fields, it is useful to find new ways to connect them and foster (nurture the dialogue) through innovation. A community with more organizations that innovate is a more competitive, efficient, and stronger community. By participating in the Bootcamp-type event in Măgurele over (during) these three days, the team of the Măgurele Science Park Association, together with its partners, continues to support the stakeholders of the RDI ecosystem to become more visible, more connected, more informed, and, last but not least, more innovative.” — Mădălin Ioniță, Executive Director, Măgurele Science Park Association
“In the global context of technology, Romania offers solid opportunities for research, development, and innovation. With qualified human resources and competitive costs, Romania attracts significant investments in key areas such as agri & food, energy, IT, robotics, and engineering. The startup ecosystem, funding programs, and government initiatives for innovation create a favorable environment for entrepreneurs and researchers. BCR takes a practical role, providing financial support and consultancy for startups and innovators, thereby contributing to the increased competitiveness of the Romanian economy.” — Ionuț Stanimir, Marketing and Communication Director, BCR
The jury that will evaluate the submitted projects consists of Marius Mitroi (Innovation and Entrepreneurship – UEFISCDI), Anca Luca (Startups Community Manager – BCR), Liviu Gheorghiu (Head of Architecture – BCR), Răzvan Crăciunescu (Associate Professor – UPB), Nicoleta Cherciu (Alumna – UiPath), and Mihai Sfințescu (Managing Director – Abilito Capital). Their votes will determine who will receive the prize and the title of winner of the Laser Valley Innovation Bootcamp 2024.
“Laser Valley Innovation Bootcamp is a condensed experience of Launch Romania’s mission. We believe that Romania’s potential is immense and it just needs the space, attention, and resources to flourish and grow. The solution does not lie in a single person, whether he is an entrepreneur, CEO, or president; the solution lies within us, in the work we put in, and in our ability to work together and collaborate towards the same goal. The most productive thing we can do is unite our efforts and see what we can build together. The technology sector is truly one of the ramps from which we can relaunch Romania as an important player in the region, with strong economic, socio-cultural, and educational effects. Laser Valley Innovation Bootcamp 2024 aims to provide an ideal framework for developing and facilitating collaboration between the business environment, research, and academia. We are proud to be part of this initiative and contribute to it.” — Andrei Cojan, Community Coordinator, Launch Romania
Both organizers and participants, the jurors, mentors, company representatives, researchers, students, and everyone present are ready for a new Laser Valley Innovation Bootcamp experience, where they have the opportunity to take innovation to the next level.
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Laser Valley Innovation Bootcamp
The Laser Valley Innovation Bootcamp 2024 event is hosted by the National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics (INFLPR) and the National Institute for Materials Physics (INCDFM), facilitating connections between researchers from National Research and Development Institutes, startup founders, and students passionate about technology entrepreneurship.
Laser Valley Innovation Bootcamp is an initiative of the Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digitalization, in partnership with the Măgurele Science Park Association and Banca Comercială Română (BCR), with support from Launch Romania.
The Măgurele Science Park Association is supported by the Ilfov County Council, Măgurele City Hall, the National Institute for Research and Development in Physics and Nuclear Engineering “Horia Hulubei” (IFIN-HH), the Polytechnic University of Bucharest, and the University of Bucharest.
Launch Romania is an initiative powered by BCR, with support from Google and founding partner How to Web.
For more information about Laser Valley Innovation Bootcamp Edition 2, Măgurele, June 14-16, 2024, visit: Laser Valley Innovation Bootcamp 2024
