Five 11th-grade students from Colegiul Economic ‘Partenie Cosma’ in Oradea have claimed victory at Romania’s Business Plan 2026 competition, organized by IMM Romania in partnership with CNDIPT. Friend Quest S.R.L., their student-led venture, won the national title with a proposal for a web application designed to foster genuine human connections and authentic socialization.
The competition victory brings €26,000 in prize money along with free participation in an entrepreneurial development camp focused on building essential business skills. For the young entrepreneurs behind the project, the recognition extends beyond the financial award.
“It was the best experience we’ve had in high school so far,” the team reflected on their competition journey. “We learned a lot and had fun doing it. But the most important prize this competition gave us isn’t the trophy—it’s clarity. We discovered that entrepreneurship is actually what we want for our future,” the student founders stated.
Addressing a Real Social Need
The Friend Quest concept targets an increasingly relevant gap in the digital landscape. Rather than pursuing another feature-rich social media platform designed primarily for content consumption and engagement metrics, the application prioritizes meaningful interaction and authentic connections. This focus aligns with growing concerns among young people about the isolating effects of conventional social networks and the pressure to curate online personas.
The students’ decision to build their business plan around this concept reflects their generation’s awareness of social connectivity challenges faced by their peers. By concentrating on real socialization rather than viral content or algorithmic engagement, Friend Quest positions itself within a broader movement toward more intentional digital communities.
Supporting Student Entrepreneurship in Romania
The Business Plan 2026 competition represents an important initiative in Romania’s startup ecosystem, particularly in nurturing entrepreneurial thinking among secondary school students. By providing platforms for young entrepreneurs to develop and pitch their ideas at a national level, such competitions help identify early-stage talent while building a culture of innovation from the ground up.
The partnership between IMM Romania and CNDIPT demonstrates institutional commitment to fostering business acumen among younger demographics before they reach university. The entrepreneurial camp component of the prize underscores the recognition that winning a competition is often just the beginning of the entrepreneurial journey, requiring ongoing skill development and mentorship.
European Context
Romania’s emphasis on youth entrepreneurship programs reflects a wider European trend. Across the EU, member states increasingly recognize that early exposure to business principles and startup culture can address both innovation gaps and youth employment challenges. The success of competitions like Business Plan 2026 provides a foundation for sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems that extend beyond major tech hubs, potentially establishing secondary cities like Oradea as emerging innovation centers within their regional markets.