The Recursive

The Recursive is a self-established online platform that highlights the growing tech and startup scenes in Southeast Europe (SEE). Our goal is to deliver insightful coverage on the advancements within the local innovation community.

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Articles

Why European AI Startups are Skipping Traditional Funding Stages

2 weeks 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?

4 weeks ago | 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

4 weeks ago | 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.
The Future of Fintech and What CEE Founders Need to Succeed

1 month ago | therecursive.com | Elena Ghinita

The fintech industry is evolving at lightning speed. Startups are bringing new payment solutions to market, banks are adopting fintech strategies, and the demand for seamless financial experiences is growing. But behind every great fintech innovation lies a major challenge: security, compliance, and scalability.
CEE’s High-Net-Worth Investors Are Turning to Private Equity, Technology, and ESG for Growth

1 month ago | therecursive.com | Elena Ghinita

Central and Eastern Europe is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation in wealth management. Once concentrated in operational businesses, the region’s growing number of High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) are now diversifying their investments beyond traditional assets, and becoming increasingly present in alternative transactions.
Venture Investment in Central and Eastern Europe Sees 56% Growth in 2024

2 months ago | therecursive.com | Elena Ghinita

Central and Eastern Europe ~ The 2024 edition of the Venture in Eastern Europe report by How to Web highlights a substantial increase in venture investment across the region. In 2024, venture deals totaled €3.89B, more than doubling the €1.85B reported in 2023. The inclusion of Turkey in this year’s report contributed €1B to the total. Excluding Turkey, the region still saw a 56% year-over-year increase in investment volume.
18 (And Counting) Events We Can’t Miss in 2025

2 months ago | therecursive.com | Elena Ghinita

Events take time, but they’re worth it. They’re where great conversations happen, unexpected ideas emerge, and those new connections turn into real opportunities—whether it’s a new client, investor, or future teammate. At The Recursive, events are a big part of how we engage with the community, stay on top of industry trends, and showcase our work. In fact, as you read this, someone from our team is probably planning their next trip.
12 Consumer, Education, or Gaming Startups with Slovak DNA

2 months ago | therecursive.com | Elena Ghinita

From AI assistant to new reading experience and even growth platform for games, the Slovak startups are in for the game. In collaboration with Zaka VC, a fund operating in both Bratislava and Prague, we embark on a mission to highlight Slovak startups—those already making an impact as well as those still in their early stages. This is the fifth article in our series, featuring 12 startups building consumer apps, education or gaming platforms.
Hungary Startup Funding H2 2024

2 months ago | therecursive.com | Teodora Atanasova

Explore Hungary's startup funding landscape in H2 2024. Key highlights include PastPay's €12M Series A round.
How Much Did Polish Startups Raised In 2024: H2 2024 Deals Breakdown

2 months ago | therecursive.com | Elena Ghinita

Poland ~ Poland’s startup ecosystem is among the most promising in Central and Eastern Europe, attracting regional attention. However, some industries are still developing stability. Recent developments indicate progress. ElevenLabs became a unicorn in just two years, and several new venture capital funds launched with backing from the Polish Fund of Funds, PFR Ventures.