Startup REAKTOR as Go-to-market Accelerator
About this good practice
Empower your startup’s journey! Many startups struggle to launch their products in new markets due to inadequate market research, lack of cultural understanding, and ineffective scaling or GTM strategies.
Startup REAKTOR run by ROTSA – Romanian Tech Startups Association, founded in Cluj-Napoca, addresses these issues by providing startups with a tailored framework to de-risk market entry and accelerate growth, offering a two-month (tax-free) programme through:
• Market Research – startups undergo thorough research to understand target markets, customer segments, and competition for 10 markets in Northwestern Europe
• Market Access – focus on top 3 markets to generate connections and start experimentation
• Validation – identify clear points of validation and market traction in the top 2 countries
• Cultural insights - to refine messaging and build relationships effectively
• Mentorship - access to industry experts who guide on pricing, partnerships and marketing strategies
• Pilot Programs - opportunities to test products/services in real-world scenarios to gather feedback
• Scaling Support- assistance in setting up operations, hiring local talent and navigating regulatory requirements
The accelerator operates through workshops, one-on-one coaching, cohort-based learning and advisory ensuring startups are market-ready within a set timeframe and KPIs. Key stakeholders include startup founders, investors, and GTM professionals from all over Europe.
Resources needed
Team of 3-5 professionals: market analysts, project/ program managers and marketing
8-10 managers for the relationship with the founders
30- 40 external mentors and experts to assist the companies on specific industry topics and key geographical regions.
Funding resources for the program budget.
Evidence of success
Existing KPIs: 15-20 Startups per session, 2 yearly sessions in 3 years
The outcomes highlight the practice’s effectiveness in de-risking market expansion and ensuring sustainable growth:
• startups trained registered a 30–50% faster time-to-market and a 40% increase in market adoption rates
• over 80% of participants secure partnerships or funding within 6-9 months post-program.
Potential for learning or transfer
This practice is transferable due to its modular framework, easily adapted to various regional contexts.
Key success factors: robust stakeholder engagement, comprehensive market research and access to experienced mentors with local and regional expertise. Regions with emerging startup ecosystems can particularly benefit by leveraging the accelerator model to attract innovation, foster entrepreneurship and build global partnerships.
The practice was successfully transferred to an incubator by adapting the program to regional industries and by integration of local mentors. Challenges included aligning cultural and operational differences, but close collaboration with local stakeholders ensured smooth implementation.
Regions aiming to adopt this practice must ensure access to funding, market expertise and adaptable frameworks to meet local economic and industry-specific needs. Currently, the program runs out of internal resources and based on the mentors’ network developed in time.
Further information
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Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
