Membres
CCIFER is proud to partner the first edition of the Innovation Forum & Awards 2026, organized by THE DIPLOMAT-BUCHAREST
Exclusive discounted ticket rates are available for CCIFER members.
Ioan Constantin, Cyber Security Expert Orange, represents CCIFER on the jury panel of the Innovation Forum & Awards 2026.
THE INNOVATION FORUM & AWARDS 2026 is where the Romanian economy’s foreleaders meet opportunity. Designed as a flagship event for the business and innovation landscape, the forum brings together leading companies, bold entrepreneurs, policymakers, and technology pioneers to explore the trends redefining Romania’s economic future.
THE DIPLOMAT-BUCHAREST organizes the first edition of INNOVATION FORUM & AWARDS 2026 on June 18 at InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest. This year’s edition highlights groundbreaking projects, emerging technologies, and strategic solutions that drive productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness across all major industries.
Participants will benefit from inspiring keynotes, expert-led panels, and valuable networking sessions, concluding
in an exclusive INNOVATION AWARDS GALA that honors the most impactful innovations of the year.
THE INNOVATION FORUM
13:30 - 15:00 SESSION I - SYNERGIES IN EMPOWERING INNOVATION
Innovation is a collaborative concept, where industry leaders, technology hubs, academic institutions, and public-sector partners are joining forces to accelerate innovation. These powerful synergies are creating a thriving ecosystem that supports cutting-edge research, nurtures entrepreneurial potential, and drives the adoption of smart, sustainable solutions across the economy. Together, these alliances are positioning Romania as a growing regional leader in innovation and competitiveness.
Which are the main actors, tools and opportunities to deliver innovation and competitivity in Romanian economy?
Policies & Authorities’ input in enabling R&D and innovative initiatives
Regulatory frameworks that accelerate R&D and innovation
Government incentives: grants, tax credits, and fast-track approvals
Policy harmonization to support cross-border research collaboration
Industry–academia joint in delivering innovative and breakthrough projects
Collaboration between private companies and Universities: R&D and innovation labs
Talent development through internships, co-ops, and research fellowships
Creating shared infrastructure: testing centers, incubators, and pilot sites
Financing opportunities in enabling innovation in strategic economic sectors
Venture capital and private equity focus on high-tech and deep-tech
Public funding schemes for priority sectors (energy, health, mobility, etc.)
Corporate innovation financing and intrapreneurship development
15:15 - 16:45 SESSION II - INNOVATION IN CROSS-SECTORS INDUSTRIES
Innovation in Romania is increasingly shaped by the convergence of diverse industries, where technology, manufacturing, energy, finance and all strategic sectors intersect to generate new value. This cross-sector collaboration is accelerating the development of breakthrough solutions, enabling companies to integrate digital tools, data intelligence, and sustainable practices into their operations. As boundaries between industries continue to blur, Romania is fostering a dynamic environment where shared expertise sparks fresh opportunities and drives long-term economic growth.
Innovation hubs development and tools to reach competitiveness
Building ecosystems: accelerators and clusters development
Infrastructure for services enabling innovation: mentorship, legal support, business acceleration
Regional competitiveness strategies and global benchmarking
Technology and AI at the core of innovative projects development
Integration of AI in operations: impact, challenges, trends
Ethical frameworks and responsible AI adoption
Upskilling the workforce for AI-driven innovation
The cybersecurity strategy’s focus and challenges
Safeguarding digital infrastructure in innovation-driven industries
Cyber threats in AI-dependent and interconnected systems
Building cyber-resilience: readiness, detection, and incident response
Talent shortage and the need for advanced cyber-skills development
17:30 - 19:00 THE INNOVATION AWARDS GALA CEREMONY
The Innovation Gala Awards celebrate the main actors - companies, leaders and projects that are transforming Romania’s economic landscape. This prestigious event recognizes outstanding achievements in technology, entrepreneurship, and cross-sector innovation, shining a spotlight on the initiatives that set new benchmarks for excellence. The Innovation Gala Awards is not only a celebration of success but also an inspiring platform to connect, share ideas, and champion the future of Romanian innovation.
🧭 Save de Date: June 18 2026
📌 Venue: InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest
More here INNOVATION FORUM & AWARDS 2026 - Powered by The Diplomat Bucharest
