Sibiu Innovation Days 2025, held on 6–7 November in Sibiu, Romania, once again provided a dynamic platform for collaboration and dialogue between academia, industry, and the public sector. This year’s theme “Emerging Technologies: Balancing Innovation, Risks, and Societal Impact” set the stage for two days of engaging discussions, workshops, and networking sessions exploring the transformative potential of new technologies and the challenges accompanying their adoption.
For DIH4Society, the event represented not only an opportunity to contribute to the national dialogue on digital innovation but also to expand awareness of our services among a broader audience of potential beneficiaries. By engaging directly with regional SMEs, technology providers, and institutional representatives, the hub was able to showcase its support offer in areas such as digital transformation, AI adoption, and cybersecurity, while identifying new collaboration prospects across sectors.
Participation in Sibiu Innovation Days also enabled DIH4Society to map and connect with emerging specialists in cybersecurity, an area of growing strategic importance for both the hub and its network partners. Through presentations, panel discussions, and informal networking sessions, DIH4Society’s team gained valuable insights into current regional priorities and met professionals whose expertise can be integrated into the hub’s local pool of experts, strengthening its capacity to provide high-value digital innovation services.
The event’s collaborative nature, closely tied to the tradition of Cluj Innovation Days, underscored once again the importance of synergy between Cluj IT Cluster, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, and Sibiu IT Cluster, a partnership that continues to build bridges between ecosystems and regions.
Our presence alongside partners from the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) further emphasized the value of connecting EU-level initiatives and digital innovation hubs within a shared space. This joint representation, through Diana Câmpian for DIH4Society and Bianca Ionel and Delia Radziuk for EEN, showcased how collaboration across European programs can reinforce impact, extend reach, and provide integrated support to SMEs navigating the challenges of digital transformation.
Beyond the formal sessions, networking proved a cornerstone of the event’s success. DIH4Society engaged with representatives from universities, research centers, innovative startups, local authorities, and fellow clusters, opening new avenues for partnerships and project collaboration. Many of these connections are now evolving into concrete follow-ups focused on cybersecurity capacity building, innovation management, and cross-regional digitalization efforts.
From DIH4Society’s perspective, Sibiu Innovation Days 2025 was more than a conference, it was a strategic opportunity to amplify visibility, deepen expertise, and strengthen the ecosystem that supports Romania’s journey toward a smarter, safer digital future.
