We are excited to announce that NodeShift has emerged as the grand winner of the National Pitching Competition for Startups, earning the honor to represent Moldova. Additionally, Langly has been named the winner of the pre-selection event, representing Chisinau. Both startups will head to Silicon Valley this October to compete in the prestigious Startup World Cup, vying for an impressive $1 million prize. NodeShift will proudly showcase Moldova, while Langly will represent Chișinău on this global stage.

About NodeShift: NodeShift aims to reduce cloud service costs by up to 80%. The platform is distinguished by its commitment to privacy and its ability to significantly lower operational costs without compromising speed or reliability.

About Langly: Langly is an Oxford-accredited educational platform dedicated to teaching English. Langly helps users develop their language skills in an engaging and effective manner, utilizing game-based techniques and social-emotional learning.

Events Overview: On August 1, 2024, Startup Moldova proudly hosted the inaugural regional event of the Startup World Cup. Following the preselection event on July 26, where the top startups from Chișinău competed, Langly emerged as the winner. The National Startup Pitching Competition showcased 14 local startups, all vying for the chance to secure a $1 million prize at the prestigious Startup World Cup in Silicon Valley..

These events were an excellent opportunity for startups, IT enthusiasts, business professionals, and the general public to connect with investors and the business community, while discovering the stories behind the most exciting business ideas. The competitions also offered remarkable international visibility and development opportunities for Moldovan startups.

Olga Melniciuc, Executive Director of Startup Moldova, stated: “The National Pitching Competition for Startups is a groundbreaking opportunity for Moldova’s community. We are proud to be part of the global Startup World Cup competition and to offer local startups the chance to showcase their innovations, promoting our country on an international stage. This is a unique opportunity for Moldova to make its mark on the global map of entrepreneurship and technology.”

In a recent meeting with startups, Dumitru Alaiba, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization, remarked: “Our startup community is growing rapidly. More and more companies are modernizing their production processes and inventing innovative solutions. We are here to support them with grants, reforms, opportunities, and market access. A strong startup ecosystem in Moldova will generate new jobs, promote innovation, and contribute to the country’s economic growth.”

The National Pitching Competition for Startups events served as an excellent source of inspiration for all participants. Attendees had the chance to learn about the latest innovations and trends in technology and entrepreneurship from the creators themselves. This exclusive opportunity allowed participants to understand industry directions and adopt innovative ideas for their own startups.

The events were powered by Startup Moldova with support from USAID, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and UMAEF, with maib as the general partner, in collaboration with Mozaic and BAM.