The Startup Moldova Summit 2023 recently concluded with much fanfare, bringing together some of the most innovative minds in the startup world to discuss the latest trends and developments. The Summit was a melting pot of ideas and perspectives, with over 320 offline participants, 6700 online streams, over 20 VCs and investors, and over 200 startups and guests joining in at Tekwill în Chișinău, Moldova. 

The Summit was a platform for budding new and experienced startups to pitch their ideas and gain valuable insights from industry experts. Ten startups had the opportunity to present their ideas to a panel of investors, receiving helpful feedback to help them refine their strategies and scale their businesses.

The Summit featured an impressive lineup of speakers and panellists from over 17 countries, including successful entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts. The speakers shared their experiences, insights, and predictions on the future of tech, finance, and entrepreneurship, giving attendees a glimpse into the latest trends and innovations.

Some notable speakers included Mike Butcher, Editor-at-Large at TechCrunch, who spoke about scaling up startups across Europe – the effects of external factors and the pandemic on its development, the benefits of thinking internationally and talking about your product. 

Other speakers included Răzvan Suta, Business Development at Startup Wise Guys, who spoke about the future of venture capital and investments for startups in 2023, an expert who shared his insights on the impact of talent and passion within the startup community while presenting the investments made in the Moldovan ecosystem. 

If you think there is not much going on in the Moldovan startup scene, then… you are wrong! Emil Chichioi and the Bloomcoding team showed us the way, and then Startup Moldova Summit was the place to showcase much more of what the local ecosystem has to offer. Congratulations to the Startup Moldova team for bringing such a top squad to Moldova and contributing to the ecosystem development. We will definitely keep an eye on it!

Karol Lasota, Inovo

The Summit was not just about presentations and talks but also a platform for networking and collaboration. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts, creating the connections they needed to grow and develop – Startup Moldova facilitating over 50 one-on-one meetings on the spot! 

Speaking at the Startup Moldova Summit in my home country was electrifying. The energy and passion of our emerging startup ecosystem are contagious, and I’m proud to be a part of it. Thank you to the entire Startup Moldova team for organizing this event. Can’t wait to see what’s next!

Xenia Munteanu, co-founder at Planable 

The Summit provided several key takeaways for attendees, including the importance of practice, determination, and hard work. In addition, the speakers emphasised that startups are a fantastic group of people, regardless of language and geography – and they should use the location as an asset. Finally, they also noted the need for Moldova to accelerate and keep pace with the world, as the world does not wait for anyone.

Summit 2023 was the push to accelerate the Moldovan startup ecosystem on its way, onboarding as many stakeholders as possible and amplifying the opportunity unfolding. Now that we have your attention, we ask for your proactive involvement in promoting the Moldovan startup ecosystem to the next level.

Tal Catran, Moderator & Keynote speaker, Startups & Accelerators GURU

The Summit also highlighted the significance of investment in the process and devotion to the startup world. Companies compete, but startups create communities to innovate and grow together.

As I witnessed firsthand at the Startup Moldova Summit, there is immense potential in this region, with ambitious entrepreneurs ready to make an impact. The Startup Moldova Summit was a game-changer – an extraordinary meeting of the brightest entrepreneurial minds, fostering innovation and propelling the startup ecosystem forward.

Ahmad Sufian Bayram, EMEA Regional Manager at Techstars

Overall, the Startup Moldova Summit 2023 was a resounding success, showcasing Moldova’s potential as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Over 320 offline participants, over 6700 online streams and multiple meetings and connections followed up transformed the 17th of March into the birthday of the Startup ecosystem in Moldova. 

Startup Moldova supports our community to create a better future. Our founders raised millions of euros, driving growth and innovation through collaboration. We believe in Moldova’s potential and that we are going to see the first unicorns soon. Our mission is personal – our mission is clear: to improve people’s lives through tech and entrepreneurship. Join us on this journey!

Natalia Bejan, Executive Director of Startup Moldova Foundation

We look forward to the next Startup Moldova Summit and the following steps, which promise to be even bigger and better than before. If you’re a budding startupper, entrepreneur, investor, or industry expert, don’t miss the opportunity to participate in this exciting event. Join us for the Startup Moldova Summit 2024 and be part of Moldova’s journey towards becoming a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in Eastern Europe!

For those who missed the event, all talks and panels from the Summit are available online on the Startup Moldova website, social media channels, and YouTube page. 

About Startup Moldova Foundation:

Startup Moldova is a platform that facilitates the development and growth of technology startups in the Republic of Moldova. They provide various services and resources for startups, including mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities. In addition, the organisation seeks and provides support and resources to startups, connects startups in the community, and matches them with mentors, investors, and potential partners.