About Us
We're not the type to throw around buzzwords or pretend IT consulting is rocket science. It's not. What it's, though, is genuinely hard work—the kind that requires someone who actually knows what they're doing. We've been fixing technology problems (and occasionally the messes other consultants left behind) since 2011. Our clients range from stubborn manufacturers who finally admitted they needed help to ambitious startups that thought they could skip the planning phase. Spoiler alert: they couldn't. We're based in Iași, but we work with businesses across Romania who want IT strategy that makes sense, not just impressive-sounding proposals gathering dust.
Over time, we’ve built a reputation for reliability, quality, and clear communication. We treat each project as a partnership and aim for outcomes that last.
Our Core Values
The principles that guide everything we do
Straight Talk
We tell you what you need, not what sells. Sometimes that means telling a client their plan won't work. We'd rather have that awkward conversation now than watch their project fail later.
Competence First
We don't hire consultants who graduated from a bootcamp last month. Technical depth matters. So does experience. We invest in people who actually know their stuff and keep them current.
Your Business, Not Ours
We measure success by whether your systems work better and your people are happier. Not by how many change requests we can bill. Not by how dependent you become on us.
Accountability
We commit to timelines and budgets. When something goes wrong—and something always does—we own it. No fingerpointing. No unexpected invoices. Just solutions.
Meet Our Team
The people behind Catalyst & Associates
We’re a team that values ownership, clarity, and growth. We celebrate wins, learn fast, and keep client outcomes at the center.
Cristian Popescu
Founder & Principal Consultant
Built the first version of Catalyst's core methodology while consulting for 8 years elsewhere. Now leads strategy and handles our most complex infrastructure projects. Insists on knowing why something works, not just that it does.
Elena Ionescu
Senior Systems Architect
Designed cloud migrations for 47 different companies without breaking a sweat. Speaks fluent VMware, Azure, and can explain networking concepts without putting people to sleep. Recently became certified in everything just to see if she'd run out of things.
Mihai Silivestru
IT Security Lead
Former ethical hacker who decided to switch sides (the legal ones). Obsessive about finding vulnerabilities before the bad guys do. Has strong opinions about password policies and won't apologize for them.
Our Story
Started by three people who'd spent years watching other consultants overcomplicate things, Catalyst & Associates opened in 2011 with one radical idea: just be useful. Early years meant long nights, learning what Iași businesses actually needed, and refusing to recommend solutions that didn't fit. By 2016 we'd grown to 12 people. By 2019 we were handling infrastructure for everything from manufacturing plants to e-commerce operations. The pandemic actually clarified things—turns out everyone suddenly needed someone who understood remote work, cybersecurity, and cloud migration. We've been busier ever since.
Company founded with a team of 3 passionate professionals
Expanded services and reached 500+ satisfied customers
Opened new headquarters and doubled our team size
Celebrated serving over 2,000 clients with 98% satisfaction rate
Our Mission & Our Vision
Our Mission
Help businesses stop treating technology like a necessary evil and start treating it like a competitive advantage. We do that by understanding your actual problems, not the ones we wish you had. Then we fix them—clearly, efficiently, and without the corporate theater.
Our Vision
A world where companies of any size can access IT expertise that's honest, practical, and results-focused. Where technology actually serves the business, not the other way around. Where consultants show up on time and do what they promise.
Why Choose Us
Experienced Team
Our professionals have decades of combined experience. We've seen it all and know how to handle any challenge.
Quality Guaranteed
We stand behind our work with comprehensive guarantees. If you're not satisfied, we'll make it right.
Fair Pricing
Transparent, competitive pricing with no hidden fees. You'll always know exactly what you're paying for.
Proven Results
Thousands of satisfied customers and a track record of successful projects speak for themselves.