Chicago, IL - June 18, 2026 

After an intense competition, full of challenges and strategy, team #22586 CNapSys finished the competition in Fort Worth - Texas, in third place. They also returned home with 1st prize in the "Control" category, for programming and controlling the robot, and 1st prize in the "Most Beautiful Robot" category!

About CNapSys

CNapSys is a student-led robotics team from Colegiul Național “Silvania” in Zalău, Romania. The team is composed of students aged 14–19, mentored by engineers from Michelin, West & Co., and Electro Grup. CNapSys has built a strong regional presence - organizing competitions for other Romanian teams and connecting with teams across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. At the Cowtown Invitational Premier Event, they competed on equal footing with the world’s top FIRST Tech Challenge programs.

Total campaign budget: $65,000 - $50,000 already secured. The team is raising the final $15,000 to cover international flights, accommodation, spare robot parts, meals, and all expenses for 24 traveling participants.

Support the campaign: romanianunitedfund.org/cnapsys26

A Commitment Built Over Three Years

RUF has supported Romanian student robotics teams since 2023, providing financial grants and on-the-ground logistical support for teams competing in the United States. Every year since, RUF has backed multiple teams - connecting Romanian students to international competitions to the diaspora community, and to a broader network of Romanian professionals and engineers abroad.

CNapSys exemplifies what that investment looks like in practice. The team has hosted the Valentech II regional competition for 15 Romanian teams, connected with 55+ teams globally, and built a program that is as much about community as it is about robotics.

“It’s about a kid from Zalău standing next to teams from the US, Asia, and Western Europe - holding their own. That moment doesn’t happen without a team of families, mentors, sponsors, and a community that believes these students belong at the top of global competition. We at RUF are proud to be part of that story, year after year.”

- Mihai Lehene, Founder & President, Romanian United Foundation

About the Romanian United Foundation

Romanian United Foundation (RUF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Chicago, dedicated to mobilizing the Romanian diaspora for systemic impact - financing projects, building institutions, and executing on a long-term vision for Romania's global influence. Since 2019, RUF has raised over $5M and donated $4M to 80+ projects, engaging 15,000+ members across 300+ cities in 60+ countries.

RUF’s work spans education, healthcare, civic engagement, heritage, environment, and diaspora community-building - with a consistent belief that Romanian talent, wherever it is in the world, deserves to be seen.

Media Contact: Madi Bucheru, Director of Marketing and Communication
Romanian United Foundation
[email protected]
romanianunitedfund.org