New business incubator in Oradea will boost creative start-ups in the digital sector

The city will invest around 2.5 million euros to redesign an old hospital into a high-tech start-up hotspot

This week, the city of Oradea in Romania announced a new project to create a business incubator. The incubator is called ‘Cresc Oradea Mare’ and it will be located in a former neurological hospital. After the necessary renovations are completed it will focus on start-ups developing software in the creative field, like design and animation.

The renovations will start at the end of November and are supposed to last until mid-2023. On the other hand, the project will cost about 2.5 million euros, while the funds were secured through the European Regional Development Fund Operational Programme 2014 -2020.

Revamping the old to make way for the new

The new business incubator will reside in an unused building, that was formerly part of Hospital no.5 in Oradea. The building has not seen major renovations for decades, yet it boasts an ornate façade typical of early 20th-century architecture – the major reason for the hefty price tag.

Furthermore, the project calls for a rework of the floor plans of the building, which will, in the end, offer a total of 15 offices for start-ups and 30 workspaces in an open office, as well as 6 workshops.

The basement will also host a server room and conference halls, the ground floor will have a dining area, while the second floor will have an event/meetings room with a capacity of 120 people.

In a press release, local authorities also explained that they will provide the incubator with some IT equipment, building monitoring and furniture. They will also provide the necessary tools to enable the work in the 6 workshops.