Avatar photoAnna Kowalski

Warsaw-based, Anna focus is on the rapid rise of Central and Eastern European tech. She covers startups, investors and ecosystem builders across Poland, Romania, Czech Republic, Hungary and the broader CEE region, with expertise in SaaS, cybersecurity and gaming.

Romanian Competition Council Clears Majority Shareholder Takeover of Household Plastics Manufacturer Sterk Plast

by

After years of legal battles between shareholders, the Competition Council gave the green light for Suleyman Islambay to take full control of Romanian household‑plastic manufacturer Sterk Plast, a company with €33 million annual revenue and 470 employees whose products are sold in major retailers such as Auchan and Dedeman.

Polish AI Voice Startup ElevenLabs Reaches $11 Billion Valuation with $500 Million Series D

by

ElevenLabs, a Polish‑founded AI voice‑generation startup, secured a $500 million Series D financing led by Sequoia Capital, pushing its valuation to $11 billion. The funding round also saw Poland become an equity investor. The company’s growth is highlighted as a showcase of Central and Eastern Europe’s tech potential.

Study reveals Romanian doctors’ nuanced preferences between public and private sector employment

by

A MEDIjobs press release reports the results of a survey of Romanian medical staff conducted in August‑September 2026. The study finds that 55% would choose a public‑sector job if pay were equal, 45% view public salaries as more attractive, and private offers vary widely by specialty and experience. The platform highlights the importance of salary, bonuses, working conditions and equipment in job decisions.

Romanian Pizza Chain Maestro Loses £1.2M in Failed London Expansion, Learns Costly Lessons About Market Adaptation

by

Maestro, a Romanian pizza chain founded by Denisa and Nick Tache, lost about £1.2 million in a failed London expansion and later realized that high foot traffic at Bucharest’s Unirii square did not guarantee commercial success. The experience taught them to adapt to local cultures and to recognize when to cut losses.