Vest Ventures, Western Romania's First Regional VC Fund – Iceberg Plus key partner

Timișoara, February 4, 2026 – Iceberg Plus is proud to announce its role as a key consortium partner in Vest Ventures, Western Romania's first regional venture capital fund, which officially launched at the Romanian Startup Summit in Timișoara. With a total budget of €16.6 million, the fund marks a transformative moment for the regional startup ecosystem.

A strategic partnership for Regional Innovation

Vest Ventures is managed by an experienced consortium bringing together complementary expertise: Startup Wise Guys, Cowork Timișoara, Growceanu, and Iceberg Plus. Together, we're building a comprehensive support system that goes beyond traditional funding – combining capital, acceleration, mentorship, and ecosystem development.

The fund is co-financed through the Regional Program West 2021-2027, administered by the West Regional Development Agency (ADR Vest), with additional private investment to be added.

Backing technology growth with real support

"The Western Region, with Timișoara at its forefront, has the potential to become one of the strongest technology and innovation hubs in Central and Eastern Europe," said Ciprian Man, General Partner of Vest Ventures.

"We have talent, strong universities, courageous entrepreneurs, and a culture of collaboration. Vest Ventures was born from this conviction: there is valuable intellectual capital here that deserves to be accelerated through investment.”, he further said.

Through Vest Ventures, selected entrepreneurs will gain access to:

• Pre-seed funding – Approximately €6 million allocated for direct investments in early-stage startups
• Comprehensive acceleration program – Including personalized mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs and investors
• Hands-on workshops – Covering the entire journey from idea to product, customers, sales, and investment
• Strategic networks – Access to relevant investors, clients, and partners
• Working spaces and essential support services for startup development

Program structure

Vest Ventures will run:

• Four acceleration cohorts – The first cohort kicks off on March 27, 2026
• Nine regional pre-acceleration cohorts – Focused on entrepreneurial education and MVP development for early-stage founders

Investment amounts will be determined within the program based on each team's needs and potential, with a focus on product validation, team building, and accelerating early-stage growth.

Experienced leadership team

The Vest Ventures consortium brings deep expertise to the table:

Cristobal Alonso, General Partner – 23 years of corporate leadership experience managing teams of up to 500 people, 14 years of entrepreneurial experience, and 3 CEO mandates. An INSEAD MBA holder, Cristobal has completed over 450 early-stage startup investments with 15 successful exits.

Ciprian Man, General Partner – A prominent entrepreneur and investor dedicated to supporting innovation, Ciprian has advised and mentored over 150 startups, positioning him as a key figure in identifying entrepreneurial potential.

Razvan Suta, Managing Director – Brings 8 years as an entrepreneur and founder, 5 years of board and management experience, plus 4 years dedicated to early-stage investments, ensuring efficient fund management and strategic support.

Andrei Munteanu, Programs Managing Director – Rounds out the team with solid ecosystem experience: 9+ years in corporate roles, 10+ years in entrepreneurial activities, and 10+ years dedicated to building support programs and entrepreneurial networks.

A clear signal for the future

"Vest Ventures represents a strategic step for the economic future of the Western Region. We want entrepreneurs with bold and innovative ideas to find real support here at home to transform these ideas into scalable businesses competitive at the European level. This is a clear signal that the Western Region is taking an active role in the economy of the future and aims to become a hub of innovative entrepreneurship in this part of Europe.", said Sorin Maxim, General Director of ADR Vest.

Applications Now Open

Entrepreneurs interested in joining the acceleration program can apply now at www.vestventures.vc or by email at hello@vestventures.vc.

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