Iulian Stanciu aims to nurture ten new eMAGs over the next decade

Iulian Stanciu, who led eMAG for 17 years, has a vision for the future that includes creating ten successful companies similar to eMAG in various sectors over the next decade. His commitment to fostering entrepreneurship in Romania highlights the country's wealth of talent and potential.

Recently, Stanciu sold an 11.77% stake in eMAG to Prosus, further positioning himself to invest in promising ventures through his company, Inspire Asset Management. His goal is ambitious: to reach investments of one billion euros within the next two to three years, with a ten-year target of five billion euros.

Currently, over 100 million euros have already been allocated across different asset classes under Stanciu's management, demonstrating his active engagement in the investment landscape. His portfolio includes notable companies such as Artesana, Embryos, Foraj Sonde Videle, which is listed on the AeRO market of the Bucharest Stock Exchange, and Argenta.

Stanciu receives more than 200 business proposals each year but is selective, accepting only 1-2% of them. This careful approach reflects his commitment to quality over quantity in investments. He firmly believes that an investor can significantly elevate a business and its entrepreneur, underscoring his desire to support growth and innovation.

In the broader context of the Romanian investment scene, notable players like the Pavăl brothers, founders of Dedeman, are also making significant moves. Their Pavăl Holding recently acquired 30% of Farmacia Tei and 24% of Promateris for around 100 million lei.

Additionally, new ventures such as Underline Ventures, established in 2022 by Bogdan Iordache with a 20 million dollar fund, and Sparking Capital, founded by Vlad Panait and Cristian Negruțiu in 2019, are contributing to the dynamic investment environment. These firms have collectively financed numerous companies, with investments typically ranging from 150,000 to 200,000 euros.

Stanciu's insights into the Romanian entrepreneurial landscape reveal that while there is no shortage of talent, there is a crucial need for equity and venture capital. His ambitions for Inspire Asset Management and the broader investment community signal a promising future for Romanian entrepreneurship.