Through this initiative, Social Innovation Solutions is collaborating with Raiffeisen Bank to support Romanian SMEs ready to move from intention to implementation of AI and digital transformation by connecting resources, expertise and financing opportunities. The application is published free of charge on businessforward.ro.
Bucharest, May 20, 2026 — Social Innovation Solutions, in collaboration with Raiffeisen Bank, announces the launch of the application of Business Forward, the national AI and technology accelerator dedicated to Romanian SMEs. Businesses can apply today via a dedicated registration form available at businessforward.ro. Participation is free.
Why this program matters
The numbers speak for themselves. Currently, only 5.2% of companies in Romania are using AI technology. This is nearly six times lower than the European average of 30% and eight times lower than EU leader Denmark’s 42% (Eurostat, 2025). For Romanian entrepreneurs, this means that they are already using tools that most of their European competitors have not yet adopted. Gaps are not static. While AI adoption is accelerating in Western Europe over the years, Romania has stagnated and is finding it increasingly difficult to catch up. Business Forward was founded as a direct response to this challenge.
Roxana Cojocaru, Executive Director of Social Innovation Solutions, said: “The next five years will determine which companies move forward and which are left behind. The difference will not be determined by capital alone, but by the ability to learn quickly, adopt technology, and redesign processes. Forward will provide Romanian small and medium-sized enterprises with access to the education, expertise and funding opportunities of the Harvard Business School AI Institute, creating a bridge between where they are now and where they need to remain relevant in an increasingly automated European economy.”
Who can apply
The program is open to small and medium-sized enterprises with an annual revenue of between €1 million and €5 million. Priority will be given to sectors with high potential for technological transformation, including manufacturing and light industry, logistics and transportation, agriculture and food production, retail and e-commerce, B2B services, education, and private healthcare. However, companies from any industry looking to implement AI and digitalization solutions are encouraged to apply.
Access to Harvard Business School AI Institute educational resources
All companies accepted into the program will have access to a digital learning journey developed by the Harvard Business School AI Institute, one of the world’s leading academic centers for research and education in applied artificial intelligence for business. The curriculum covers the fundamentals of generative AI, strategic adoption of AI within organizations, and leadership in AI-driven transformation at the management level.
Connecting small businesses and technology solution providers
Beyond its educational component, Business Forward also serves as a platform that connects entrepreneurs with providers of digitalization and automation solutions. Through dedicated webinars, attendees will be able to identify specific technologies that can be integrated into their business and find an implementation partner that fits their needs.
Autumn intensive program and grants worth RON 1,000,000 for finalists
Selected participating companies will advance to an intensive fall program that combines online and offline workshops, bootcamps, and consulting sessions.
At this stage, each selected company will receive dedicated consulting support to develop a business case focused on specific modernization, automation or AI implementation solutions.
Finalists will compete for four grants offered through the program.
- 1 grant worth 400,000 Lena
- 3 grants worth RON 200,000 each
Grants are solely for the implementation of technical solutions identified throughout the program.
Ionus Patrahau, Vice President of the Entrepreneurs Department of Raiffeisen Bank Romania, added: “For most entrepreneurs today, the question is no longer whether to use artificial intelligence, but how quickly and meaningfully they can integrate it into their business. At Raiffeisen Bank, we see every day the huge competitive gap between companies that invest in digitalization and those that postpone it. Through Forward, we aim to be a trusted partner for entrepreneurs in this process, providing the know-how and support they need to make technology a true accelerator for long-term growth and resilience.”
How to apply
Applications can only be submitted online by filling out the application form at businessforward.ro. Participation is free.
Social Innovation Solutions supports SMEs and NGOs in six Central and Eastern European countries by providing resources, opportunities and tools for technology adaptation strategies and technology transfer projects. In its eight years of operation, SIS has supported more than 30,000 small and medium-sized enterprises and 7,500 young people through its educational programmes, awarded a total of €450,000 in grants and collaborated with more than 150 organizations in more than 10 countries.
Raiffeisen Bank is a leading universal bank with strong capital and liquidity, serving approximately 2.3 million personal and corporate customers in Romania. For more than 25 years, Raiffeisen Bank has been supporting Romania’s economic environment by providing financial products and services tailored to the needs of its customers. Responsibility is our fundamental principle and we contribute to society by financing a sustainable real economy. We also actively engage our communities through our five development pillars: sustainable and healthy lifestyles, sustainable business transformation, future skills development, Romanian arts and culture, and diversity and inclusion.
