To support the development of entrepreneurship in Moldova, the Tekwill project organizes multiple events and projects dedicated to training Moldovan entrepreneurs. Moldovan startups that are developing innovative products and services are able to benefit from several opportunities.

One opportunity in particular is Startup Academy Bootcamp, an accelerator program which recently set 11 experts in the field to meet with local entrepreneurs in Chisinau. Eight startups entered the online bootcamp which served as an excellent scaling tool, given that startups have been offered absolutely free access to an entire ecosystem of business founders, investors, and consultants. The bootcamp has been organized by the Startup Moldova Program, implemented within the TEKWILL project with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Sweden.

Ana Chirița, director of the TEKWILL project: “The idea we started from was to offer entrepreneurs a useful experience and to contribute to the creation of networks of knowledge and inspiration for entrepreneurs. This program provided participants with a complex set of workshops from which they learned about the principles of starting a business, identifying, and exploring the benefits of target markets, gaining access to finance, etc. The bootcamp is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge from professionals in the field and to establish connections with Startup Academy organizers, partners, and mentors, who have guided participants to grow their business quickly. Thus, we contribute to the acceleration of local entrepreneurship, and startups that have the courage to adopt innovations and use their ideas intelligently, and later will be able to build businesses with local, regional or international impact.”

Startup Academy Bootcamp – a platform for connecting startups with investors and experts in the field

The participants in the 2020 edition of Startup Academy Bootcamp had the opportunity to improve their skills and entrepreneurial knowledge with 11 qualified mentors: four local mentors and seven international mentors from Romania, the Russian Federation, the Czech Republic, Georgia and Hungary. Among them is Răzvan Atim, the representative of UiPath – the startup that became a “unicorn” whose value was estimated at 10.2 million dollars in 2020. Over the course of three days, the young entrepreneurs presented their businesses and received personalized feedback, resulting in improvements to their development objectives for their startups.

Alina Rozanova, Executive Director, TouchPlatform, Georgia: “Several aspects are extremely important in presenting a business so that we can persuade investors: focus on the chosen field, be stable and with rapid growth potential, profit – we must be able to demonstrate that the money invested will bring profit, we also mention about the market analysis, exact figures, because the statistics show that investors are more willing to allocate finance to companies that already have a prototype product/service. The team also plays an important role, investors pay attention to the team and the founders of the business, they aim to be involved, sincere and ambitious. And the icing on the cake – the pitch. A crucial aspect is the impeccable presentation of the business plan, and exact arguments on the financial needs and use of funds.”

For those looking to expand into new markets, Europe is undoubtedly a platform full of opportunities, experts suggest. Last year, around 2,300 startups were set up in the EU, most of them in fields such as Tech, Greentech or Fintech. In a study conducted in 2019, 64% of European startup founders said they prefer Europe to launch their business, to the detriment of other continents. The most powerful startup ecosystems can be found in the UK, Germany, or France. The founders of startups consider that talent and value for money are the main strengths of Europe.

Tamás Békási, Project Manager, eitHealth: “Expanding your business in the EU is an important and courageous decision. But you need to look at a few things, such as energy resources or fintech that are different in each country, before choosing your target audience. You also need to be aware of the GDPR restrictions for that country. In recent years, social entrepreneurship – projects focused on climate, health, agriculture has been encouraged and you will find many public resources that will fund your idea.”

Other interactive sessions included workshops on topics such as customer retention strategies, the art of presenting, market/investor research methods, fundraising strategies, and economic units (costs, revenues, profit). At the pitching workshops, both the entrepreneurs and the mentors browsed the creative ideas and reformed what a startup needs to build and offer a captivating pitch. At the end participants presented their ideas in front of a panel of experts.

Dumitru Albot, co-founder of SMARTEST: “There is no success that appears overnight. It all depends on your perseverance and dedicated time, years of trials and tribulations, which, in the end, will give important results. Startup Bootcamp is the system that can significantly reduce the learning trajectory, but also accelerate scalable results, and this helps you to have more clarity in the journey through the sphere of entrepreneurship.”

Discover the startups!

Startups participating in bootcamps are among the most active and innovative startups in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

• Teleportravel – an online travel platform where any traveler can promote routes so that other tourists can find new and unexplored places in Moldova. The project provides the opportunity to every tourist to share their own tourist experiences with other enthusiastic travelers via the Teleportravel platform which contains an online guide and Messenger.
• Agricos – an online marketplace for local producers and small/medium farmers where they can sell their products directly to consumers. Farmers also have the opportunity to sell directly to B2B consumers and earn at least 15% more, receiving orders without leaving the farmland.
• WOOP – a transparent and reusable protective mask which aims to solve the communication and pollution problems that occur after using current surgical masks meant to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. More than $150,000 is needed for the mass production of the WOOP mask which is why the team of inventors has launched a fundraising campaign to launch the innovative product.
• EAGRIASSIST – a web trading platform that unites local agri-food farmers and commercial actors for the development of trade in agricultural products.
• SMARTEST – an educational platform with the help of which high school students assess their knowledge gaps to better prepare for exams. SMARTEST combines psycho-pedagogical best practices with IT solutions for maximum efficiency in training students and provides psychological preparation before passing the exams.
• Appzi- an easy-to-use feedback tool that helps entrepreneurs find suggestions and feedback about their products. The given feedback can be useful to the entire design or development team using the Appzi feedback management portal.
• iBeauty – an application through which reservations can be made for beauty salons/shops. ibeauty evolves the practices of the beauty industry and reinvents the way Moldovan consumers see the beauty industry.
• Kickly – an online application that facilitates sports associations to create high-quality graphics at lower costs by using predefined templates that will facilitate the creation of graphic images.
• ro – online educational platform for individual guidance, which uses web conferencing tools designed for students and teachers. Built on the model of crowdsourcing, the platform aims to combine educational content and correlate the material of different school subjects with current curricula.
• Life – It is a digital platform for virtual wine tastings. Being located anywhere in the world, Gustos.Life users can invest, resell and finally, offer a gift of any brand of wine produced globally with a simple click.

About the TEKWILL project

Startup Academy Bootcamp, part of the “Startup Moldova” Program, took place between September 30 and October 2, 2020. It is implemented by ATIC within the TEKWILL Project with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development and Sweden. “Tekwill” was created in 2017 as the Center of Excellence of the ICT sector in Moldova, with the main purpose of aligning the field with current market requirements. Aiming to contribute to increasing the competitiveness of the IT industry and other strategic sectors of the economy, the center has expanded its fields of activity, becoming in 2019 a complex nationwide project, with the slogan “The revolution begins!” The basic objective of the TEKWILL Project, as a platform dedicated to the progress of the IT sector, is to ensure a major impact on the economic development of the country, by improving the entrepreneurial and educational capacities of society, but also by increasing the research and development potential of education institutions, in line with the demand in the IT market.

More than 670 employees of Moldovan small and medium businesses (SMEs) have successfully graduated from the “Startup Academy” program, a complex intensive training for entrepreneurs.

The current edition, dedicated to SMEs, delivered a series of courses in practical fields, providing participants with the necessary knowledge to make their business visible in the digital environment, helping them to continue their activity during a pandemic. For three months, they studied topics such as digital solutions, marketing tools, and online sales & promotion. The approximate 455 participating SMEs benefited from direct expertise from mentors with experience in marketing, communication, IT, logistics, and human resources for the problems they face in the process of migrating their online business. The aim of the initiative was to train entrepreneurs so that at the end of the course they understand the mechanisms underlying the growth of a successful business. “Startup Academy” is organized within the Startup Moldova program “Digital Upgrade” and is a partnership between the TEKWILL Project and ODIMM.

Ana Chirița, TEKWILL project director: “Considering our niche of projects, mostly IT, this is a new opportunity to support SMEs in Moldova. We believe that information technologies are the basis for modernizing and facilitating trade, including online. The aspects in which the economic agents needed an impetus or a package of knowledge to develop their business were offered through this methodically structured program to meet the expectations of entrepreneurs. The need for the program was pointed out to us by SME representatives in a study, in which about 90% of participants mentioned that they need expertise and knowledge to become competitive as they do not have the ability to build sustainable online businesses. I am impressed by the successes of the participants, by the large presence of those enrolled, and this makes me believe that Startup Academy is a really useful program.”

Iulia Costin, General Manager, ODIMM: “We enjoy the partnership with TEKWILL and the Startup Moldova program and thank Sweden and USAID for their collaboration, as their involvement strengthens economic prosperity in the Republic of Moldova. Through this project, we aim to help companies in rural areas. This digitization tool serves like a test to see how well companies are prepared for a future national digital training program. Training means knowledge, knowledge means a step forward – this is what Startup Academy means. The SME digitization tool is an efficient and fast solution and positive results are already crystallizing. We are working on processing the first wave of projects – 190 companies have submitted files to receive small grants and 230 – seek for large grants. On this occasion, I come with an urge to entrepreneurs to talk openly about their ideas, needs or what type of funding require. You will have the opportunity to make your voice heard at the next application session that will be launched soon by ODIMM.”

Vitalie Tarlev, Secretary of State, MEI: “We, as the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure, have the task of eliminating the constraints that may arise in the process of interaction between economic agents and authorities in the online environment. We have a number of institutions that have adapted to the online environment and several institutions that are in the process of digitization. I am pleasantly surprised to learn that this program has enjoyed a wide audience and will be further developed. In a short time, we managed to form teams, we managed to set budgets to answer the pressing questions of the business community, especially SMEs. We are also happy to see public institutions that, thanks to these initiatives, have become more efficient and provide digital solutions. I want to thank the developers and partners for this program and wish everyone success in business, since it has been enriched with useful knowledge.”

The course program was structured on two levels: intermediate and advanced. In the first stage, entrepreneurs learned the importance of having a physical presence on online platforms and how to adapt a business to be as close as possible to customers.

Digitization of the private sector supported by USAID and Sweden

The special edition of the Startup Academy dedicated to entrepreneurs is organized within the Digital Upgrade initiative of the Startup Moldova program, developed within the framework of the Tekwill project with the support of USAID and Sweden development partners, together with ATIC, ODIMM, Moldova IT Park and UNDP. To date, about 472 teams and 680 companies have received support to grow and improve their business through the program.

Adam Amberg, Head of the Development Cooperation Section, Swedish Embassy in Moldova: “I am glad to be here and thank all those who contributed to this program. I have a few years of experience in this field, but Moldova continues to amaze me with its development potential in this sector. We, in Sweden, believe that digitalization and innovation lead to prosperity, transparency and well-being. We noticed among the participants the need for advanced knowledge and digital training to develop sustainable online businesses. The number of companies that have participated in this program is impressive and I hope that they have acquired knowledge and confidence to launch e-commerce after completion.”

John Riordan, Deputy Head of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID): “The Moldova Startup Program aims to provide the infrastructure to promote the digitalization of the non-IT sectors and support e-commerce. This is especially important now because about 88% of SMEs in the Republic of Moldova have been affected by declining product demand. I believe that digital innovations are the solutions for Moldovan SMEs to ensure their activity and provide jobs. Another advantage of participating in this program is the creation of valuable links with experts and investors in the field. USAID will continue to support the IT industry and entrepreneurial competitiveness, and we will soon support the development of other regions in Moldova than Chisinau. Thus, we will contribute to this digital revolution, facilitating access to the best knowledge and practices.”

The Tekwill Project – The Revolution Begins!

The National Startup Moldova Program is part of the Tekwill Project, implemented by the National Association of ICT Companies, with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Sweden. Tekwill was created in 2017 as a Center of Excellence of the ICT sector in Moldova, with the main purpose of aligning the field with current market requirements. Aiming to contribute to increasing the competitiveness of the IT industry and other strategic sectors of the economy, the center has expanded its fields of activity, becoming in 2019 a complex nationawide project, with the slogan “The revolution begins!”. The basic objective of the TEKWILL Project, as a platform dedicated to the progress of the IT sector, is to ensure a major impact on the economic development of the country by improving the entrepreneurial and educational capacities of society, but also by increasing the research and development potential of education, in line with the demand in the IT market.

IT solutions remain one of the most suitable ways to recover traditional sectors of the country’s economy. Recently, the program “AgTech Academy” was launched, an initiative that will develop the skills of young people in agriculture that are required by companies in the country. The training courses represent an activity similar to the National Startup Moldova Program “Digital IMPACT”, a project that aims to provide several digital solutions for the recovery of traditional sectors of the national economy. This includes solutions such as process automation, improving business tools, and facilitating the use of e-commerce by encouraging cross-sectoral collaboration.

Ana Chirița, TEKWILL Project Director: “The Tekwill project is committed to providing digital solutions for several strategic sectors of the national economy. Through the national program Startup Moldova “Digital IMPACT”, we collected data on industry difficulties and potential IT solutions on the market, and then we encouraged cross-sectoral collaboration. Moreover, we have launched several entrepreneurship education programs combined with the elements offered by IT solutions, and now we are at the stage of identifying and approving 10 solutions for different fields, which can be folded into several sectors and will contribute to their development. And that’s because at Startup Moldova we grow ideas that change the world. “

“AgTech Academy” – necessary training for young people in agriculture

The initiative to train young people in agriculture is launched by the specialized portal Agrobiznes.md, with the support of the USAID/ Moldova High Value Agriculture Activity and the TEKWILL Project “Startup Moldova Digital IMPACT” for digitalization of agriculture, funded by USAID and Sweden.

Oleg Stiopca, Head of Labor Development, USAID/ Moldova High Value Agriculture Activity: According to studies conducted at the beginning of the USAID/ HVAA project, young people studying agricultural specialties lack so-called “soft skills”, i.e. skills related to communication, leadership, teamwork. Certainly, AgTech Academy will fill these gaps in training strength specialists who will turn agriculture into a successful business.”

In partnership with Startup Academy, several training courses are to be organized in the next period, given that the progress of agriculture in the country requires additional expertise. Forty young people are to be selected to participate in two editions of the Academy including autumn/winter 2020 and spring/summer 2021. With these editions, a series of trainings will be organized where participants will develop their corporate thinking, learn the secrets of strategic planning, and digitization of agriculture.

Sergiu Jaman, founder of Agrobiznes: “We are sure that agriculture can become attractive for young specialists immediately after graduation. We have met many young people who want to develop a healthy activity at home, that is why we believe in the success of this platform. Together with young people and private companies, we will continue to identify the problems that make the agricultural sector less attractive at the moment, but also will find the solutions.”

AgTech has become the first Academy in Moldova for young specialists passionate about agriculture. It will function as a platform for dialogue between potential employers and employees and also offer young people the opportunity to develop the skills required by companies in the field. The trainings come with a series of practical benefits and at the end of the course, young people will have the opportunity to bring their knowledge gained to the top five companies in the agricultural sector. Thus, the training program will ensure:

• a platform that provides a dialogue between young professionals and the private sector, but also new employment opportunities after the completion of internships;
• organizing online courses in marketing, entrepreneurship and digitalization of agriculture, in partnership with Startup Academy;
• organizing webinars for students and managers of agricultural educational institutions;
• career guidance and presentation of the most important aspects that must be taken into account during studies in order to meet the requirements of the employer;
• development of software skills for young specialists, including teamwork, communication, and results focused.

Those who want to participate in the training program can register by accessing the link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCil0YRmvm2usSMdXseYbnLuU5h-c5MAXiXHZosLKPc8Ei3w/viewform?gxids=

International partners support the digitization of sectors of the national economy

Currently, with the Startup Moldova “Digital IMPACT” initiative, several sectoral solutions involving information technologies have been identified. Some of them are dedicated to the various branches of agriculture and the food industry:

• beekeeping – digital platform for preventing bee poisoning and facilitating communication between authorities, beekeepers, and farmers
• fruit export – a platform to consolidate promotion of local fruit producers for foreign markets
• online trade in agricultural products – “marketplace”, an integrated platform for marketing products and services to farmers and local companies
• wine industry – platform dedicated to guided tastings.

The implementation of Startup Moldova “Digital IMPACT” takes place with the support of international partners.

Scott Hocklander, Head of the USAID Mission to Moldova: “The Startup Moldova “Digital IMPACT” program contributes to strengthening the ecosystem development effort, guided by innovation and knowledge of the technology industry. This project is part of a broader public-private partnership, which USAID supports in target sectors, to develop innovative businesses and support the integration of information technologies in different sectors of the economy. USAID believes in Moldova’s potential and in the ability of the private sector to implement information technologies in its day-to-day work. We support the successful development of different sectors because difficult situations require advanced solutions.”

Anna Lyberg, Swedish Ambassador to Moldova: “Sweden supports digital transformation globally, and in Moldova supports innovation, entrepreneurship and the ICT sector through programs launched by the TEKWILL Project. Thus, Sweden contributes to increasing IT skills and capacity by promoting innovative solutions in all sectors, including non-IT. The integration of information technologies in different spheres of life and the creation of alternative platforms can contribute to providing multiple opportunities for business development, economic growth and improving living conditions in Moldova, in general.”

The TEKWILL project – The revolution begins!

The Moldova Startup Program “Digital IMPACT” is part of the TEKWILL Project, implemented by the National Association of ICT Companies, with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Sweden. “Tekwill” was created in 2017 as a Center of Excellence of the ICT sector in Moldova, with the main purpose of aligning the field with current market requirements. Aiming to contribute to increasing the competitiveness of the IT industry and other strategic sectors of the economy, the center has expanded its fields of activity, becoming in 2019 a complex nationwide project, with the slogan “The revolution begins!”. The basic objective of the TEKWILL Project, as a platform dedicated to the progress of the IT sector, is to ensure a major impact on the economic development of the country by improving the entrepreneurial and educational capacities of society, but also by increasing the research and development potential of education, in line with the demand in the IT market. More details on www.tekwill.md