HORECA
BUSINESS
ACCELERATOR
Led by Innovation
An educational program by
MISSION
Find, mentor and scale-up the genius in hospitality entrepreneurs
Stimulate IT companies to develop apps and technologies for hospitality sector
Help Start-up Hospitality Companies in Romania sharpen their competitive edge
Finance innovative businesses and help them overcome themselves
VISION
Increase the percentage of sustainable businesses in HoReCa by 10% in 3 years
(YTD 60% are going bankrupt within the first 9 months)
Help 5 hospitality businesses to develop outside Romanian market within 2 years
We search for innovative ideas and startups in the following areas:
Food&drinks serving concepts
Food&drinks products
Technology for hospitality industry
HOW WE DO IT
We receive applications from march, 5th to april, 5th.
From Idea and Early stage start-up’s through Recruiting Events, referrals or Direct Application.
1. Application
2. Selection
We will select 30 startups for
1:1 interviews and accept 10.
3. Acceleration
6 weeks mentorship, research and capacity building, IP & Regulation, revenue and Business model.
4. Demo Day
Presenting the best startups in
front of partner companies and investors.
HOW WE DO IT
1. Application
We receive applications from march, 5th to april, 5th.
From Idea and Early stage start-up’s through Recruiting Events, referrals or Direct Application.
2. Selection
We will select 30 startups for
1:1 interviews and accept 10.
3. Acceleration
Six weeks mentorship, research and capacity building, IP & Regulation, revenue and Business model.
4. Demo Day
Presenting the best startups in
front of partner companies and investors.
Curricula
Business Concept
Business Model
Systemic Coaching
PR & Corporate Communication
Digital Transformation
Marketing 7PS
Hospitality Trends
Legal
HR
Kitchen & Operational Bar
Operational Management
Engineering Menu
Street Food
Client Service Attitude
Fiscality
Fiscal Opportunities
Funding Opportunities
Scaling Session
Investment Case
Intellectual Property and Competition Law
Corporate Governance
6 WEEKS incubation PROGRAM
Mentorship sessions every week
DEMO Day
Post-graduation support
Curricula
Business Concept
Business Model
Systemic coaching
PR & Corporate
Digital Transformation
Marketing 7PS
Hospitality Trends
Legal
HR
Kitchen & Operational Bar
Operational Management
Engineering Menu
Street Food
Client Service Attitude
Fiscality
Fiscal Opportunities
Funding Opportunities
Scaling Session
Investment Case
Intellectual Property and Competition Law
Corporate Governance
6 weeks incubation PROGRAM
Mentorship sessions every week
DEMO Day
Post-graduation support
mentor & trainer
Tinu Sebeșanu
CEO of Trend Hospitality
Tinu Sebeșanu is CEO of Trend Hospitality, a leader in consultancy and management in the hospitality industry, as well as regional representative of some of the most powerful international brands. He is the man that imposed Howard Johnson Hotel ( now Sheraton) in the tourism market of Bucharest and brought the Ramada chain to Romania.
mentor
Utku Ogrendil
CEO Wirecard Romania
Utku Ogrendil – CEO Wirecard Romania, Moldova, Serbia and Kosovo. He has an experience of more than 20 years in the banking financial field. Since 2000, Utku Ogrendil has held several management positions in local banks: Finansbank (Credit Europe Bank), Banca Transilvania, Libra Internet Bank and Garantibank. Since 2011 he has switched to the technology providers area, becoming CEO of Provus Romania. Later the company was integrated into the international group Wirecard
mentor & trainer
Gabriel Iovu
Owner Expressoft
Gabriel Iovu – Owner Expressoft. He is a serial entrepreneur, investor and CEO/founder of Expressoft Technology, dedicating his professional career to developing innovative products and services for different industries. Gabriel Iovu has been extensively involved in the development of the Romanian software industry, being also an active member of different associations supporting Romanian Entrepreneurs: Romanian Business Leaders, Tech Angels and AmCham Association.
MENTORS &
TRAINErS’ TEAM
1/4
mentor & trainer
Răzvan Gheorghiu-Testa
Partner at Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații
Răzvan Gheorghiu-Testa – Partner at Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații. He has built up significant experience in corporate/M&A, real estate, taxation and has been directly involved in many of the most important projects taking place in Romania, including acquisitions and disposal of real estate, investment and development real estate projects, and real estate finance.
trainer
Dan Isai
CEO Salad Box
Eight years ago Dan Isai bet his money on healthy food, a market that was looked upon reluctantly in Romania. Today, Salad Box is the third biggest fast-food chain in the country. Internationally, Salad Box reached three continents, 12 countries and developed over 70 restaurants. Dan Isai is also shareholder in more than 15 other HoReCa businesses.
MENTORS & TRAINErS’ TEAM
1/4
mentor & trainer
Tinu Sebeșanu
CEO of Trend Hospitality
Tinu Sebeșanu is CEO of Trend Hospitality, a leader in consultancy and management in the hospitality industry, as well as regional representative of some of the most powerful international brands. He is the man that imposed Howard Johnson Hotel ( now Sheraton) in the tourism market of Bucharest and brought the Ramada chain to Romania.
mentor
Utku Ogrendil
CEO Wirecard Romania
Utku Ogrendil – CEO Wirecard Romania, Moldova, Serbia and Kosovo. He has an experience of more than 20 years in the banking financial field. Since 2000, Utku Ogrendil has held several management positions in local banks: Finansbank (Credit Europe Bank), Banca Transilvania, Libra Internet Bank and Garantibank. Since 2011 he has switched to the technology providers area, becoming CEO of Provus Romania. Later the company was integrated into the international group Wirecard
mentor & trainer
Gabriel Iovu
Owner Expressoft
Gabriel Iovu – Owner Expressoft. He is a serial entrepreneur, investor and CEO/founder of Expressoft Technology, dedicating his professional career to developing innovative products and services for different industries. Gabriel Iovu has been extensively involved in the development of the Romanian software industry, being also an active member of different associations supporting Romanian Entrepreneurs: Romanian Business Leaders, Tech Angels and AmCham Association.
mentor & trainer
Răzvan Gheorghiu-Testa
Partner at Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații
Răzvan Gheorghiu-Testa – Partner at Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații. He has built up significant experience in corporate/M&A, real estate, taxation and has been directly involved in many of the most important projects taking place in Romania, including acquisitions and disposal of real estate, investment and development real estate projects, and real estate finance.
trainer
Dan Isai
CEO Salad Box
Eight years ago Dan Isai bet his money on healthy food, a market that was looked upon reluctantly in Romania. Today, Salad Box is the third biggest fast-food chain in the country. Internationally, Salad Box reached three continents, 12 countries and developed over 70 restaurants. Dan Isai is also shareholder in more than 15 other HoReCa businesses.
trainer
Mihai Bârsan
Founder at Brandelier.biz
In 2009 Mihai Bârsan became head of marketing of SABMiller’s subsidiay in Slovakia, and in April of 2012 became in charge of the marketing department at Ursus Breweries. He started his antrepreneurial adventure with Brandelier.biz in January of 2019
trainer
Claudiu Vrînceanu
Communication Specialist
Ambassador and connector of the business sector in Romania, Claudiu Vrânceanu plays the part of a „Bridge Builder” between entrepreneurs, investors, multinationals, media and the public sector (government authorities and European institutions)
trainer
Ray Iunius
CEO Winsedswiss
CEO of Winsedswiss, Ray Iunius is seen by the experts în the industry as a true visionary in HoReCa. In the past, he was the director of development of EHL Adivosory Services, from École hôtelière de Lausanne. And the graduates put his teachings into practice în their careers at the top of the hotel, banking or health fields
trainer
Radu Savopol
Founder 5 to go
Radu Savapol developed the 5toGo coffe shop chain în 2015, having a prior 14 year experience as pub and club owner. Today 5toGo is the biggest coffe shop chain în Romania and one of the biggest în Europe.
MENTORS &
TRAINErS’ TEAM
2/4
trainer
Mugurel Stan
Professional Coach
Mugurel Stan is a professional Coach, graduate of Co-active coaching program at the Coaches Training Institute in USA. CTI has been a leader în the coaching industry for more than 20 years. Mugurel Stan has an extensive experience in both individual and group coaching, having worked with service providers, advertising, accountancy and financial consultancy firms, high level executives, administrative leaders, academic, business and political fields.
trainer
Dragos Panait
FounderNext Root Management Systems
Dragos Panait has over 10 years of hospitality experience, an industry he knows very well, as a founder and operator of restaurants and hotels. To meet the needs of his industry peers, Dragos funded, in 2018, Next Root Management Systems, the 360° consulting agency dedicated to the HoReCa industry.
MENTORS & TRAINErS’ TEAM
2/4
trainer
Mihai Bârsan
Founder at Brandelier.biz
In 2009 Mihai Bârsan became head of marketing of SABMiller’s subsidiay in Slovakia, and in April of 2012 became in charge of the marketing department at Ursus Breweries. He started his antrepreneurial adventure with Brandelier.biz in January of 2019
trainer
Claudiu Vrînceanu
Communication Specialist
Ambassador and connector of the business sector in Romania, Claudiu Vrânceanu plays the part of a „Bridge Builder” between entrepreneurs, investors, multinationals, media and the public sector (government authorities and European institutions)
trainer
Ray Iunius
CEO Winsedswiss
CEO of Winsedswiss, Ray Iunius is seen by the experts în the industry as a true visionary in HoReCa. In the past, he was the director of development of EHL Adivosory Services, from École hôtelière de Lausanne. And the graduates put his teachings into practice în their careers at the top of the hotel, banking or health fields
trainer
Radu Savopol
Founder 5 to go
Radu Savapol developed the 5toGo coffe shop chain în 2015, having a prior 14 year experience as pub and club owner. Today 5toGo is the biggest coffe shop chain în Romania and one of the biggest în Europe.
trainer
Mugurel Stan
Professional Coach
Mugurel Stan is a professional Coach, graduate of Co-active coaching program at the Coaches Training Institute in USA. CTI has been a leader în the coaching industry for more than 20 years. Mugurel Stan has an extensive experience in both individual and group coaching, having worked with service providers, advertising, accountancy and financial consultancy firms, high level executives, administrative leaders, academic, business and political fields.
trainer
Dragos Panait
FounderNext Root Management Systems
Dragos Panait has over 10 years of hospitality experience, an industry he knows very well, as a founder and operator of restaurants and hotels. To meet the needs of his industry peers, Dragos funded, in 2018, Next Root Management Systems, the 360° consulting agency dedicated to the HoReCa industry.
trainer
Cristian Cristea
Business Development Manager Directoratat Macromex
After a ten year experience in sales at FMCG, Cristi chosed to join City Grill Group as Group Training Manager. He got to develop programs and projects for the biggest romanian group în hospitality, after which he joined MGC Group as HR Manager. He is currently with the Macromex team and continues to study at Hostalion Management School.
trainer
Laura Radu
Founder of Larcie
Laura Radu is a Learning & Development certified consultant and founder of Larcie. She has over 20 years of experience în Customer Service Management and Training in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe, in companies and institutions such as Hilton, Ladbroke, TGI Friday’s, Pizza Hut, American University, Cambridge Training College. Laura was also coach and trainer for hundreds of top executives and diplomats.
trainer
Steliana Moraru
Board Member Women in Tech
Steliana Moraru is Head of Marketing & Digital Transformation at OTP Bank and has a diverse professional background that combines her passion for tehnology with that for communication and corporate social responsibility. Steliana is also Board Member & Head of Marketing for Global Women in Tech. She developed or coordinated projects în the e-government field, social wellfare technology, software product launches and events dedicated to the tech field.
MENTORS &
TRAINErS’ TEAM
3/4
trainer
Alex Cirtu
Chef
After becoming known as a Masterchef participant, he quit his job as an English teacher and devoted 100% to cooking. Currently, he cooks at several private events and teambuildings and is the chef behind LifeBox, the online platform through which healthy food can be ordered.
trainer
Raluca Vasilache
Partner at Țuca-Zbârcea & Asociații
She is a competition partner with Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații and has covered a wide array of legal issues in the field of competition law, as well as intellectual property. Praised for her work on merger control, antitrust and State aid cases she has undertaken numerous procedures of reviewing mergers and acquisitions under antitrust and competition law, acting for multinational clients from various sectors, such as oil, steel, pharma, telecommunications, consumer goods retail, electricity.
MENTORS & TRAINErS’ TEAM
3/4
trainer
Cristian Cristea
Business Development Manager Directoratat Macromex
After a ten year experience in sales at FMCG, Cristi chosed to join City Grill Group as Group Training Manager. He got to develop programs and projects for the biggest romanian group în hospitality, after which he joined MGC Group as HR Manager. He is currently with the Macromex team and continues to study at Hostalion Management School.
trainer
Laura Radu
Founder of Larcie
Laura Radu is a Learning & Development certified consultant and founder of Larcie. She has over 20 years of experience în Customer Service Management and Training in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe, in companies and institutions such as Hilton, Ladbroke, TGI Friday’s, Pizza Hut, American University, Cambridge Training College. Laura was also coach and trainer for hundreds of top executives and diplomats.
trainer
Steliana Moraru
Board Member Women in Tech
Steliana Moraru is Head of Marketing & Digital Transformation at OTP Bank and has a diverse professional background that combines her passion for tehnology with that for communication and corporate social responsibility. Steliana is also Board Member & Head of Marketing for Global Women in Tech. She developed or coordinated projects în the e-government field, social wellfare technology, software product launches and events dedicated to the tech field.
trainer
Alex Cirtu
Chef
After becoming known as a Masterchef participant, he quit his job as an English teacher and devoted 100% to cooking. Currently, he cooks at several private events and teambuildings and is the chef behind LifeBox, the online platform through which healthy food can be ordered.
trainer
Raluca Vasilache
Partner at Țuca-Zbârcea & Asociații
She is a competition partner with Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații and has covered a wide array of legal issues in the field of competition law, as well as intellectual property. Praised for her work on merger control, antitrust and State aid cases she has undertaken numerous procedures of reviewing mergers and acquisitions under antitrust and competition law, acting for multinational clients from various sectors, such as oil, steel, pharma, telecommunications, consumer goods retail, electricity.
trainer
Florin Gherghel
Member of the Chamber of Tax Consultants
He is a member of the Chamber of Tax Consultants (CCF), the Body of Experts and Authorized Accountants of Romania (CECCAR), the Chamber of Financial Auditors of Romania (CAFR) and has over 16 years experience in taxation associated with investments made in Romania by major international companies, including in state aid projects. He is also involved in the discussions regarding the modification of the tax legislation.
trainer
Cezar Munteanu
Chef
Cezar Munteanu has been în the gastronomy field for over 27 years. He got to cook for top personalities in the world and also for the poor kids in Africa. Today he teaches culinary management, develops projects in the hospitality and food industries, teaches kids în Romania about healthy eating and inspires young cooks not just to cook, but to be responsible professionals
trainer
Florin Itu
Owner of Meat Busters
Florin Itu is Co-owner of Gourmet Entertainment (culinary festival developer: The Carnival – largest food festival in Europe in 2018, Street Food Festival, Food Truck Festival, Gourmet Festival etc), owner of Meat Busters (food trucks & franchise; winner of Truck of The Year Award at Food Truck Society Awards; has opened two franchise restaurants since 2018 in Timisoara & Cluj)
trainer
Bogdan Nicolae
Co-founder of Barmania
Bogdan Nicolae is the co-founder of Barmania, a company that organizes courses and educational programs for sommeliers, baristas and bartenders. Later, together with his partner, Mihai Panfil, he opened the Origo coffee shop and Steam coffee shop chain.
MENTORS &
TRAINErS’ TEAM
4/4
trainer
Alfred "Jerry" Dauteuil
General Manager Jerry’s Pizza
He arrived in Romania in the early 1990s and opened a business that would become one of the most successful in the segment in which he operates: Jerry’s Pizza. If today, food delivery is a must, in the 1990s Alfred Dauteuil was a pioneer of this segment.
trainer
Cristian Radu
Partner at Țuca-Zbârcea & Asociații
With significant experience in restructurings and business acquisitions, including cross-border acquisitions, the disposal of non-strategic businesses, divestitures, public offerings, squeeze-out and sell-out procedures and mergers, Cristian has acted on some of Romania’s most popular transactions of recent years as reflected in mass media.
MENTORS & TRAINErS’ TEAM
4/4
trainer
Florin Gherghel
Member of the Chamber of Tax Consultants
He is a member of the Chamber of Tax Consultants (CCF), the Body of Experts and Authorized Accountants of Romania (CECCAR), the Chamber of Financial Auditors of Romania (CAFR) and has over 16 years experience in taxation associated with investments made in Romania by major international companies, including in state aid projects. He is also involved in the discussions regarding the modification of the tax legislation.
trainer
Cezar Munteanu
Chef
Cezar Munteanu has been în the gastronomy field for over 27 years. He got to cook for top personalities in the world and also for the poor kids in Africa. Today he teaches culinary management, develops projects in the hospitality and food industries, teaches kids în Romania about healthy eating and inspires young cooks not just to cook, but to be responsible professionals
trainer
Florin Itu
Owner of Meat Busters
Florin Itu is Co-owner of Gourmet Entertainment (culinary festival developer: The Carnival – largest food festival in Europe in 2018, Street Food Festival, Food Truck Festival, Gourmet Festival etc), owner of Meat Busters (food trucks & franchise; winner of Truck of The Year Award at Food Truck Society Awards; has opened two franchise restaurants since 2018 in Timisoara & Cluj)
trainer
Bogdan Nicolae
Co-founder of Barmania
Bogdan Nicolae is the co-founder of Barmania, a company that organizes courses and educational programs for sommeliers, baristas and bartenders. Later, together with his partner, Mihai Panfil, he opened the Origo coffee shop and Steam coffee shop chain.
trainer
Alfred "Jerry" Dauteuil
General Manager Jerry’s Pizza
He arrived in Romania in the early 1990s and opened a business that would become one of the most successful in the segment in which he operates: Jerry’s Pizza. If today, food delivery is a must, in the 1990s Alfred Dauteuil was a pioneer of this segment.
trainer
Cristian Radu
Partner at Țuca-Zbârcea & Asociații
With significant experience in restructurings and business acquisitions, including cross-border acquisitions, the disposal of non-strategic businesses, divestitures, public offerings, squeeze-out and sell-out procedures and mergers, Cristian has acted on some of Romania’s most popular transactions of recent years as reflected in mass media.
PARTNERS
PARTICIPANTS BENEFITS
100 hours accelerator curricula
Co-working space with access to all business needs
Access to the largest network of entrepreneurs and suppliers from HoReCa industry
Mentorship
Networking events
Creative department (access upon brief and time schedule)
Pitch for finance with top investors and business angels
PARTICIPANTS BENEFITS
100 hours accelerator curricula
Co-working space with access to all business needs
Access to the largest network of entrepreneurs and suppliers from HoReCa industry
Mentorship
Networking events
Creative department (access upon brief and time schedule)
Pitch for finance with top investors and business angels