Market Analysis – Workshop led by Steve A. Varela as part of the i-Lab incubation program (30.10.2025)

On October 30, 2025, the i-Lab community continued its series of workshops for young entrepreneurs with Module 3: Market Analysis, held in Room 120 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. The session was part of the “How to Define Strategies in a Startup?” module and provided participants with the tools needed to understand market dynamics, create unique value propositions, and structure an effective business model.

The workshop was led by Steve A. Varela, who has over 15 years of experience as a business development executive for top American multinationals and has led technology startups in Latin America. With an academic career spanning more than 17 years, Steve has taught management, international business, negotiation, and strategy in the USA, Europe, and Asia, publishing articles in prestigious scientific journals. A recognized expert in cultural intelligence, he was a Fulbright scholar and held leadership positions at Holy Cross College in Indiana. Previously, he worked for companies such as Iridium, Motorola Ventures, and AT&T, leading multinational teams across multiple continents. Steve currently resides in Cluj-Napoca.

During the session, participants explored how to create a unique and compelling value proposition, design a business strategy with real impact, and structure a business model to guide a startup toward sustainable growth. Through practical examples, case studies, and interactive exercises, Steve emphasized the importance of understanding customer needs, analyzing market opportunities, and aligning strategy with both vision and execution.

The workshop took place in a collaborative setting, where participants shared their ideas and received constructive feedback on how to define their business model and market strategy.

Through this third module, the i-Lab program continued to equip young entrepreneurs with the essential skills for developing strategic thinking — from analyzing market opportunities to designing a business model capable of generating real value.