Romanian software developers create Catalyst Worldwide's new Augmented Reality technology

A group of 52 Romanian software developers who work for Catalyst Worldwide's Bucharest office created a new augmented reality technology which was recently launched in Bucharest, in the presence of Michael Koch, CEO of Catalyst Worldwide. “We at Catalyst create some of the most complex digital projects in the industry, with the help of the global – scale Romanian developers,” said Michael Koch. The newly launched technology caters to mobile devices, and represents a native development for each device – iOS and Android, as the company addresses a wide audience by going multi-platform. (video of Catalyst Wordwide augmented reality demonstration using a recent issue of the Forbes Romania magazine, below) Romania is slowly becoming a new Silicone Valley in Eastern Europe, and Catalyst Worldwide plans to reach a team of 250 in Romania in the next two years. “Talent, resources and infrastructure are already present here, to create one of the most important centers of digital development in the world,” said Michael Koch. Bucharest is Catalyst Worldwide's second office as listed on its website, after the one in New York. Koch, a pioneer of the digital production industry, launched Catalyst Worldwide in 2010, part of the Catalyst group, which also includes the Digital Catalyst Fund, an investment fund dedicated to supporting entrepreneurial ideas around the world, from California to Bucharest. In fact, the fund is based in Bucharest and was started by two Romanians – Emi Gal and Cristian Burci. The board that reviews the projects however comprises 10 people, the two founders, Michael Koch, Simon Bond – the CMO of BBDO & Proximity Worldwide, famous Romanian athlete and promoter Nadia Comaneci, Wharton School Professors Eric Clemons and Kartik Hosanagar, Matt Spiegel, the CEO of Tap.Me, Irina Pugna, professor at the Academy of Economic Studies from Bucharest, and Lance Neuhauser, CEO of The Echo System, the Return on Social Company. editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: Catalyst Worldwide)