020 – A GREAT YEAR IN THE TEKWILL COMMUNITY

2020 was a challenging year, but a great one for the Tekwill community. Tekwill is a recognized platform with cooperation between partners in government, industry, academia, and development aiming towards a proactive agenda for the ICT sector of Moldova. In 2020, Tekwill has been a major point in attracting startups and other stakeholders to Moldova through its programs, expanding and promoting ICT education and entrepreneurship nationwide, as well as other relevant activities for the ICT sector.

TEKWILL IN EVERY SCHOOL

The Tekwill Project is contributing to harnessing Moldova’s untapped human capital and helping to grow a young and innovative generation of software engineers, IT developers, and creative professionals that will meet future social challenges nationwide and globally. In 2020, Tekwill launched the most complex program of extracurricular classes that provided free IT-related education to increase the interest of school students aged 13-19 from various regions of the country in choosing a career in ICT.

TEKWILL ACADEMY

Being driven by digitalization overall, during 2020, Tekwill’s major efforts adjusted with a quick transition in developing programs for an online format to ensure the educational initiatives would continue. For example, Tekwill Academy adapted the content of the courses to the new format quickly so people around the country were able to access them wherever they were. Thus Tekwill Academy strengthened workforce development at the national level.

STARTUP MOLDOVA

In 2020, in order to reduce the gap and encourage the development of startups based on IT, Tekwill aligned its activities with international trends and implemented programs dedicated to growing and supporting startup businesses. One of these programs is known as the Startup Moldova National Program. It’s an initiative that gives young people with innovative ideas access to educational programs, infrastructure, consulting, mentoring, opportunities to connect to international events and competitions, as well as attracting funding sources.

MOLDOVA STARTUP WEEK

The Tekwill project engaged Moldovan communities to build the startup ecosystem of the country by supporting the development of young entrepreneurs and creating numerous opportunities for them to succeed. Under the umbrella of the biggest event dedicated to local startups, Moldova Startup Week, it connected more than 1,050 people interested in tech entrepreneurship. The event facilitated the maintenance of constructive dialogue for the development of the economy based on technology and innovation, the application of international trends, and the creation of opportunities for local startups.

ENGAGING THE PRIVATE SECTOR

In 2020 the IT sector has proven to be game-changing for many other sectors such as education, agriculture, financial services, health, e-commerce, etc. Tekwill has engaged with the private sector to support non-IT industries or the public sector to embrace digitalization. Selected under an open call, ten IT companies committed to expanding their products and services throughout regions of Moldova to help them grow by offering options such as a career in ICT via educational services, providing IoT solutions for agriculture, developing new e-commerce services to decrease the cash in the economy, bringing the diaspora closer to Moldovans, or supporting women gaining digital skills.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

2020 was a challenging year, but it brought us together – stronger and more powerful to continue our mission and change the world. This year Santa Claus is very tech! Let’s give it all the IT power to spread the Christmas spirit around the world.

Merry Christmas to all of us, home – safe!