Elena Ghinita

Bucharest

Startup Community Editor at The Recursive

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therecursive.com

Articles

The Role Of Financial Advisors In HNWI's Investment Decisions

3 weeks ago | therecursive.com | Elena Ghinita

As the number and financial influence of High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) in Central and Eastern Europe continues to rise (as seen in the previous section), so does the demand for more sophisticated financial advisory. Our latest report dives deep into this evolving ecosystem—examining how a HNWI in CEE choose their advisors, allocate capital, and structure portfolios for the future. It is based on an in-depth survey with wealth and asset managers from across the region.
Romanian DeepTech .lumen Secured the CE Certification - What Does it Mean?

1 month ago | therecursive.com | Elena Ghinita

.lumen, a Romanian deep tech company developing assistive wearable technology for the visually impaired, has recently obtained the CE certification for its .lumen Glasses. The certification marks a significant regulatory milestone and clears the path for the product’s launch in the European market later this year.
How a Seasoned Investor Sees the Future of Risk Capital in CEE

1 month ago | therecursive.com | Elena Ghinita

Mirna Marnovic, President of the Croatian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, brings over 30 years of experience in finance. Her work spans investment banking, private equity, and venture capital, and she has been involved in major market development projects across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Through collaborations with international financial institutions and support for fund managers and investors, Marnovic has helped shape the region’s investment landscape.
Thinking About a VC Career? Here Are the Must-Have Skills

1 month ago | therecursive.com | Elena Ghinita

Venture capital might look like pitch decks, networking events, and the occasional headlines about a unicorn exit—but behind the scenes, it’s a mix of financial insight, people skills, and relentless curiosity. If you’re thinking about starting a VC career, here are the skills that will get you in—and keep you in the game. We asked three insiders from Central and Eastern European VC funds what makes someone successful in this fast-paced, ever-evolving world. Here’s what they told us.
High-Net-Worth Individuals in CEE: Investment Preferences and Trends

1 month ago | therecursive.com | Elena Ghinita

High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and family offices in Central and Eastern Europe are influential players in the investment landscape—much like underground rivers, shaping the financial ecosystem in ways that are not always immediately visible. We know they exist and play a significant role, yet their exact movements and allocation strategies remain largely uncharted.
It Feels Like Déjà Vu: How Investors are Recalibrating in 2025

2 months ago | therecursive.com | Elena Ghinita

The world feels tense. A potential US recession, ongoing war in Ukraine, political instability at home and abroad — these aren’t the kinds of headlines that encourage risk-taking. For startups in Romania, the environment in 2025 is anything but predictable. But uncertainty doesn’t stop innovation. It just changes how investors think — and how founders must act. It feels like déjà vuRemember 2021, when a good pitch deck and some traction could get you a seed round in just a few weeks?
The EU AI Act: What’s (Not) Going According to the Plan

2 months ago | therecursive.com | Elena Ghinita

The EU AI Act is set to become the world’s first major regulation focused entirely on artificial intelligence. It aims to ensure that AI systems used in Europe are safe, fair, and respect people’s rights. But as the rules start to take shape, many companies—especially startups and small businesses—are wondering: what’s the current status, and what do we need to do to prepare?
Why European AI Startups are Skipping Traditional Funding Stages

2 months ago | therecursive.com | Elena Ghinita

As artificial intelligence accelerates the pace at which new tech products can be developed and tested, a growing number of European startups are bypassing traditional venture stages and leaping straight into major rounds. OpenOcean, the early-stage venture capital firm known for its deep technical heritage, sees this as a moment of opportunity — and responsibility.
Will These Three Initiatives Boost Romania’s Innovation Capabilities?

Mar 28, 2025 | therecursive.com | Elena Ghinita

Once spring has arrived, it looks like not only the flowers are set to blossom, but also Romania’s innovation. The government and organizations across the country are taking extra steps in boosting the country’s technological and research capabilities and announced, this month, the launch of three initiatives: Romanian Artificial Intelligence Hub (HRIA), FreeYa Mind Campus, and the EIT Community RIS Hub.
CEE Startup Ecosystem Grows 15.5x, Reaching 3,800 Companies

Mar 27, 2025 | therecursive.com | Elena Ghinita

According to Dealroom’s latest report, CEE has 3,800 VC-backed startups, representing approximately 41% of Europe’s total 9,190 startups. The region has seen substantial growth compared to its incipient years, with 275+ scaleups and 38 startups valued at over €1 billion. Among these, 57 have reached unicorn status, with Poland (18), Estonia (14), and Ukraine (8) leading in numbers.