UniCredit Entrepreneurial Residency arrives in Brașov: creative entrepreneurs can test new ideas in Piața Sfântul Ioan.
The project is initiated by the PLAI Cultural Center and supported by UniCredit Bank Romania. This year, in Brașov, it also benefits from the support of local partner Iceberg Plus and strategic partners CATTIA and the Brașov City Hall, aiming to support local entrepreneurs.
Throughout the summer of 2026, selected entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to test their ideas, products, or services in a container located in Piața Sfântul Ioan, one of the city’s central areas, offering visibility and direct access to the local community.
UniCredit Bank continues its mission to support entrepreneurs and the development of Romania’s creative and social ecosystem through the launch of the ninth edition of the “UniCredit Entrepreneurial Residency” program — a support initiative dedicated to creative entrepreneurs testing and prototyping new ways of reaching wider audiences and building sustainable creative economy models.
“At UniCredit Bank, we believe in the power of community and collaboration. Through the UniCredit Entrepreneurial Residency program, we continue to provide entrepreneurs with resources, space, and expertise to transform their ideas into remarkable and sustainable initiatives. Expanding the program to Brașov is a natural step in our mission to connect and support local entrepreneurial ecosystems across the country. We are confident that Brașov’s creative environment will continue to grow in a healthy way, bringing fresh inspiration and new energy!” - Anca Ungureanu, Director Identity & Communication, UniCredit Bank
A program bringing creative entrepreneurship into public space
Initially launched in Timișoara as part of the building.a.community platform, the “UniCredit Entrepreneurial Residency” project was designed as a support program for creative and social entrepreneurs in the business consolidation stage. Over previous editions, the program expanded to cities such as Iași, Cluj-Napoca, and Oradea, supporting local initiatives in areas such as design, fashion, ceramics, gastronomy, culture, and education.
In Brașov, the program introduces a format adapted to the city: three consecutive residencies, each lasting approximately three weeks, in a central urban space that can temporarily become a place for testing, dialogue, and promotion for entrepreneurs.
The “UniCredit Entrepreneurial Residency” offers entrepreneurs from the creative and social industries, with at least one year of activity, access to essential resources for strengthening and promoting their businesses in an environment that encourages collaboration and innovation.
Applications for the ninth edition of the program are now open, and interested entrepreneurs are invited to apply through the building.a.community platform.
Applications for the first residency are open until May 26, 2026, and interested entrepreneurs can apply for the chance to become residents of the program hosted this year in Piața Sfântul Ioan.
What are the benefits for the winner
For one month, the winner of the program will benefit from a subsidized and customizable container in the center of Brașov, with no rent and utility costs, designed as a place for meeting and dialogue with the public and the local community.
Additional benefits include:
• €1,000 budget for setting up and operating the container;
• Business evaluation by experts;
• Personalized consultancy worth €1,000 for three priority areas;
• Residency launch event;
• €500 promotion budget during the program.
“Through the UniCredit Entrepreneurial Residency, we continue to build real contexts for collaboration between cities, entrepreneurs, communities, and the creative sector. We are happy to expand the project to Brașov and connect new ecosystems that share the same vision: sustainable development through creativity and engagement.”
— Norbert Tako, President, PLAI Cultural Center
Program calendar in Brașov
The call for the first selection stage launches on May 13, 2026, and the application form will remain open for two weeks, until May 26, 2026. The first winner will be announced on June 4, 2026. After a short preparation and setup period, the first residency will take place in Piața Sfântul Ioan between June 10–30, 2026.
For the following two residencies, the application form will reopen in stages: between June 10–23, 2026 for the second residency, scheduled for July 7–27, 2026, and between July 7–20, 2026 for the third residency, scheduled for August 3–23, 2026. The program will conclude by August 30, 2026.
By choosing Piața Sfântul Ioan as the hosting location, the Brașov edition aims to bring creative entrepreneurship closer to the public and transform the residency into a meeting point between private initiative, culture, community, and local administration.
“For CATTIA, managed by Iceberg+, involvement in the UniCredit Entrepreneurial Residency comes naturally at a time when the center is increasingly opening towards entrepreneurs, startups, SMEs, and organizations interested in development and innovation. We want this Brașov infrastructure to function as a real space for incubation, collaboration, and know-how transfer, where ideas can be tested, connected with relevant resources, and transformed into sustainable models. Through this residency, Piața Sfântul Ioan becomes an extension of this mission: a place where creative entrepreneurs can engage directly with the public, validate their products or services, and contribute to the development of the local business ecosystem,” said Alexandra Hîncu, Head of Incubation & Programmes, CATTIA.
The winners will be selected through a process evaluating the relevance of the proposal, impact potential, sustainability of the idea, and the way the entrepreneur intends to use the residency period.
Who can apply to the program?
Entrepreneurs from the creative and social industries who have had an active business for at least one year can apply. The program is suitable for businesses in areas such as design, art, objects, ceramics, fashion, illustration, gastronomy, education, culture, local products, creative services, or social impact initiatives. You must have an LTD (SRL); applications are not open to freelancers (PFA), NGOs, or sole proprietorships (II).
Do I need to have my company based in Brașov?
Not necessarily. The program is hosted in Brașov and is primarily aimed at entrepreneurs who can physically activate the space in Piața Sfântul Ioan during the residency period and who are interested in developing their business in Brașov.
What does "an active business for at least one year" mean?
It means the business must have at least one year of demonstrable activity. We require the latest submitted financial statement showing that the business is operational and already has a base of operations, products, services, or clients.
What do selected entrepreneurs receive?
Each resident will benefit from a subsidized and customizable space in Piața Sfântul Ioan for approximately three weeks, a €1,000 budget for setup, personalized consulting, business evaluation, and promotional support worth €500.
How long does the residency last?
Each residency lasts approximately three weeks. The Brașov program includes three consecutive residencies, running throughout the summer until the end of August.
Where will the program take place?
The residency will take place in Piața Sfântul Ioan in Brașov, in a dedicated space for selected entrepreneurs.
What exactly is the residency space?
It is a standard mobile container with the following dimensions: 605 cm length x 244 cm width x 259 cm height. It has access to electricity (220V). There is no toilet or running water inside the container, but the Iceberg Plus office is nearby, so the residency team can use our kitchen and restrooms. For visitors or clients, there is a public toilet in Piața Sfântul Ioan.
Can I sell products or services during the residency?
No, you cannot sell products or services on-site. However, you can promote your products and services online if you already have an online shop or direct customers to another sales point.
What does the €1,000 budget cover?
The budget can be used for designing and customizing the space: furniture, décor, signage, branding materials, equipment, display elements, or anything needed to reflect the business identity.
Do I need to contribute financially?
The program provides a subsidized space and setup budget. However, entrepreneurs must cover their own operational costs during the residency: products, materials, staff, transport, logistics, or other business-related expenses.
What kind of consulting do residents receive?
Consulting may include areas such as marketing, communication, sales, financial management, business model, positioning, audience engagement, or growth strategy. It will be tailored to each resident's needs and provided by the Iceberg Plus team.
How is selection done?
Applications are evaluated by a jury made up of representatives of the program's partners. Selection criteria include the relevance of the idea, business maturity, potential local impact, and how the entrepreneur plans to use the residency period.
Can freelancers apply?
Yes, if the activity is structured as a business (SRL) and can demonstrate at least one year of activity. The key requirement is having an operational entrepreneurial initiative, not just an early-stage idea.
Can I apply if I only have a business idea?
The program is intended for businesses already active for at least one year. If you only have an idea without demonstrable activity, this program may not be suitable for this edition. However, you may want to look at the pre-incubation program at CATTIA: cattiabrasov.ro
Can I apply if I have an online business?
Yes, if the business can be adapted into a physical experience in Piața Sfântul Ioan. For example, an online brand may use the residency as a pop-up store, for product testing, customer interaction, demonstrations, or events.
Do I need to be present every day?
The residency involves active use of the space. You don't need to be there every single day, but we expect strong engagement with the local community and visitors in Brașov. The schedule will be agreed with the organizers, but entrepreneurs must ensure consistent activity throughout the residency.
Can I organize events or workshops during the residency?
Yes, workshops, demonstrations, public meetings, and other creative activations are encouraged if suitable for the space and audience. These can help increase visibility and build stronger community connections.
Will there be multiple application rounds?
Yes, the application form may be reopened in stages for subsequent residencies. The first stage selects the first resident, and the call will reopen for the following ones.
Stage 1
13–26 May 2026 – Applications open
27 May–3 June 2026 – Evaluation
4 June 2026 – First resident announced
5–9 June 2026 – Setup
10–30 June 2026 – Residency 1
Stage 2
10–23 June 2026 – Applications open
24–30 June 2026 – Evaluation
1 July 2026 – Second resident announced
2–6 July 2026 – Setup
7–27 July 2026 – Residency 2
Stage 3
7–20 July 2026 – Applications open
21–27 July 2026 – Evaluation
28 July 2026 – Third resident announced
29 July–2 August 2026 – Setup
3–23 August 2026 – Residency 3
How will I know if I've been selected?
Winners will be contacted by the organizers and announced according to the program timeline. Exact communication details will be shared through official channels of the organizers and partners.
What happens after I'm selected?
After selection, there is a short preparation and setup phase. The entrepreneur will work with the organizers to adapt the space, define the schedule, and prepare activities for the residency period.
Is the program suitable for very small brands?
Yes. The program is designed specifically for small, creative, or social businesses that have moved beyond the early idea stage and need visibility, testing, and support for consolidation.
What other businesses have participated in the residency?
The first winning resident was Reciproc, a café-bistro and grocery store from Timișoara featuring exclusive products from local producers and fair-trade international suppliers. The second resident, Librarul cu papion, is the first children's bookstore in Timișoara, combining reading with relaxation, browsing books with play and creativity. The Iași winner was Single Dual, a fashion business hosted in the mixed-use Palas Iași complex. In Cluj, designer Radu Abraham exhibited works combining wood, glass, metal, and plastic at Iulius Mall Cluj-Napoca, in dialogue with designer Andra Handaric. The most recent Oradea edition winner was Livia Coloji from Gruni, a handmade ceramic and porcelain studio.
Where can I get more information?
Write to us at cattia@iceberg.plus and we will respond as soon as possible.
