Mentors Pool Call: Ecosystem Building, Startup Support, And International Market Connection

Background

In order to reduce the gap and encourage the development of startups based on information technologies, the Republic of Moldova aligns with international trends and implements programs dedicated to growing and supporting startup businesses. 

Based on the strategic plan, one of the objectives is ensuring expertise to ecosystem actors.

Considering the intended mentorship programs and the planned support to companies to identify experts and form their future teams using the platform, based on the PwC Report related to developing the strategy of the startup ecosystem, one of the recommendations for the Start-up IT Moldova Programme is to establish a Talent Pool of experts (Mentors), which could serve as an available source of expertise both for companies’ future teams, but also for the mentorship programs as trainers/mentors. The mentors could be local, but also international.

Additionally, the existing academic R&D incubators have available professors to ensure mentorship, in order to explore students’ innovative ideas in tech-related areas (fintech, agrotech, healthtech), however, the main problem remains in the remuneration, which is limited at this moment. As such the future Start-up program could consider the possibility for a closer collaboration with the academic incubators, considering the availability of tech-related mentorship.

Building a pool of mentors with varied backgrounds and experiences is of paramount importance to create a holistic environment for startups. This pool should essentially comprise college/university alumni, experts from the relevant sectors and other industry experts, corporates with experience in the field, individuals with manufacturing and product experience, individuals with a technology background, individuals with strong legal and regulation footage, people from the financial sector with funding experience and successful entrepreneurs, who have done it all. 

Building the mentor network is one of the biggest challenges most incubators and accelerators face. Thus they are unable to build a large enough pool for the access of the startups housed in the incubator as they lack the connection and do not reach out to associations, forums and other private bodies for support.

We are launching the call to stakeholders to provide a pool of mentors from different areas and with different domains of expertise to partner with our team to boost non-tech industries assimilation of technological innovation and support cross-industry collaboration based on vertical synergies such as FinTech, WineTech, AgTech, MedTech, Lifestyle, Data sciences, IoT, e-Commerce, to develop a matching system of connections between startups and other startups, experts and investors and ensure a startup club to exchange experiences and contacts with International exposure

Because mentors and mentees interact in a variety of different ways that go beyond subject expertise, so it is vital that the pool is wide enough to provide a good match.

The awarding will be conducted through an open selection procedure in two stages (Pre-application and Full Application). The selection process is designed according to the principles of merit, transparency, equality and rational use of funds, by launching at least two calls, one each year.

For additional information on the eligible and non-eligible expenses, application process and Project Application Documentation, please access the Digital IMPACT: Innovation Challenge Awards Manual. See manual.

The Awarding will be conducted through an open selection procedure in two stages (Pre-application and Full Application). The selection process is designed according to the principles of merit, transparency, equality, and rational use of funds, by launching at least two calls, one each year.

The applications should be submitted at the following link until November 19: 

https://forms.gle/28bRbGVcptvnuKRz5

Contact person: Irina Covriga, Ecosystem builder Manager, Startup Moldova community@startupmoldova.digital and Cristina Bocsanean, Project Assistant, Startup Moldova, office@startupmoldova.digital .

Call for Experts: Ecosystem Building, Startup Support, and International Market Connection

Startup Moldova and ATIC are launching an Expert call: to build the ecosystem capacity, support disruptive startups, connect them to international markets, and create seed funding opportunities.

We are looking for mentors and experts from different areas and with different domains of expertise to partner with our team to Boost non-tech industries assimilation of technological innovation and support cross-industry collaboration based on vertical synergies such as FinTech, WineTech, AgTech, MedTech, Lifestyle, Data sciences, IoT, e-Commerce, to develop a matching system of connections between startups and other startups, experts and investors and ensure a startup club to exchange experiences and contacts with International exposure. Also, to:

  • Provide funding towards entrepreneurs who innovate to support local businesses
  • Provide funding towards entrepreneurs that develop ideas with global potential
  • Provide funding opportunities for cross industry collaboration activities.

This mentorship program is an opportunity for the personal and professional development of upcoming leaders in the field of culture. It aims at promoting mentorship as a way of lifelong learning, knowledge, and experience exchange between an established professional – the mentor, and an emerging professional – the mentee.

By participating in this programme as a mentor you are offering support to the personal and professional development of young professionals in the field of culture from various parts of Moldova.

Mentors will also be required to:

  • Provide entrepreneurial education 
  • Provide digital literacy and entrepreneurial education for non IT 
  • Digital transformation for non Its
  • Bring in real-life problems into entrepreneurial education.

For additional information on the eligible and non-eligible expenses, application process and Project Application Documentation, please access the Digital IMPACT: Innovation Challenge Awards Manual. See manual.

The Awarding will be conducted through an open selection procedure in two stages (Pre-application and Full Application). The selection process is designed according to the principles of merit, transparency, equality and rational use of funds, by launching at least two calls, one each year.

The applications should be submitted at the following link until November 19:

https://forms.gle/UW2GXTYCYo9uTJcDA

Contact person: Irina Covriga, Entrepreneurship Support Manager, Startup Moldova community@startupmoldova.digital and Cristina Bocsanean, Project Assistant, Startup Moldova, office@startupmoldova.digital .

Zeci de profesioniste în IT invitate la „Tech Women Summit 2021”. Să le cunoaștem!

Cea de-a doua ediție a „Tech Women Summit 2021” aduce în fața publicului larg prezentări și discursuri cu subiecte inovatoare, oportunități pentru dezvoltarea unei cariere în IT, sesiuni de informare privind ultimele tendințe din domeniu, dar și istorii de succes ale profesionistelor care muncesc în industria IT. Speakerele evenimentului vor împărtăși experiențe și opinii care ar putea motiva odată în plus fetele și femeile interesate de domeniul tehnologiilor informațională să exploreze noi oportunități și să se dezvolte în această direcție. Invitatele speciale sunt profesioniste care activează în mediul privat, misiuni diplomatice, companii internaționale în domeniul financiar-bancar, dar și corporații. „Tech Women Summit 2021” va avea loc în data de 12 noiembrie în format hibrid și va putea fi urmărit și online. Evenimentul este organizat în cadrul proiectelor „Tekwill” și „Tech Women Moldova”, cu susținerea Agenției Statelor Unite pentru Dezvoltare Internațională (USAID), Suediei, UN Women, dar și a partenerilor privați.

Vă invităm să cunoașteți speakerele „Tech Women Summit 2021”:

  • Dr. Mariana Dahan, PhD CEO of WIN Foundation, former World Bank official, member of UNDESA Expert Group. Și-a început cariera în industria telecomunicațiilor în 1998. După ce a lucrat pentru operatori de telefonie mobilă în țări dezvoltate și în curs de dezvoltare, a lansat cartea despre impactul noilor tehnologii asupra creșterii economice și a dezvoltării sociale. Deține doctoratul la ESCP Europe Business School și Paris II University of France. Înainte de a se alătura Grupului Băncii Mondiale, a fost cercetător la MIT Sloan School of Management din SUA.
  • Ana Chirița este directoare Proiecte Strategice în cadrul Asociației Naționale a Companiilor din Domeniul TIC (ATIC). Are peste 10 ani de experiență în domeniul TIC și management, perioadă în care a muncit cu organizații internaționale, donatori și instituții guvernamentale. Inițiativele pe care le gestionează au scopul de a produce impact și de a fortifica încrederea în industria TIC din Moldova. Din 2010, dezvoltă și conduce cu succes proiecte și programe în valoare de peste 2 milioane USD/an, gestionând și implicând în același timp aproximativ 25 de profesioniști în domeniu.
  • Elena Mutruc este Customer Success Manager la Pentalog. Are o experiență de de lucru de 15 ani în industria IT. În cadrul companiei, este responsabilă de dezvoltarea și implementarea strategiei de creștere unitară, care vizează creșterea organică, creșterea veniturilor și anticiparea nevoilor clienților. În anii 2017-2018 a fost membru al Consiliului de Administrație al Asociației Naționale a Companiilor din Domeniul TIC (ATIC). Participă activ la întâlnirile și evenimentele organizate de către comunitatea femeilor în IT, susținând inițiativele și programele de dezvoltare dedicate fetelor și femeilor.
  • Elena Ivanova este Managing Director la Crunchyroll. Are o experiență vastă în domeniul resurselor umane și în cel al tehnologiilor informaționale. În cadrul companiei în care activează este responsabilă de comunicarea și menținerea relațiilor de încredere cu Consiliul De Administrare, partenerii de afaceri, autoritățile, de politicile de implementare și evoluție, dar și de alte activități. Este specializată în negocieri, consultanță în domeniul resurselor umane, recrutare și politici de HR. Este o profesionistă desăvârșită, deține o diplomă în economie la Universitatea Liberă Internațională din Moldova. 
  • Elena Zamsa este Business Unit Manager la Cegeka. Este fondatoarea companiei DAS Solutions, specializată în Dezvoltare Software, care are peste 50 de angajați și combină știința software cu cunoștințele de optimizare și expertiza în arhitectura software. În rezultat, DAS Solutions livrează instrumente digitale care au scopul de a debloca alte oportunități de afaceri. Elena este și expert național al „ICT in Horizon2020”, cel mai mare program de cercetare și inovare al UE, având experiență în managementul proiectelor FP7 și H2020. 
  • Cristina Doros este Vicepreședinte, Director Regional Asia Centrală și Azerbaidjan la Visa. Deține expertiză vastă în domenii precum: carduri și plăți, IT, Retail Banking, strategia și managementul produselor bancare, managementul mărcii și altele. Anterior, a fost Vicepreședinte al Departamentului Carduri, IT și Plăți de la maib, fiind responsabilă de gestionarea P&L, managementul produselor, probleme de securitate cu cardul, dar și sisteme internaționale de plăți.
  • Elena Rusu este Head of Project Delivery Management la Endava. În cadrul companiei gestionează proiecte grandioase, cu o echipă extinsă în Marea Britanie, Moldova și România. Este responsabilă de planificarea și supravegherea dezvoltării aplicațiilor, de la analiza sistemului până la testare și acceptare de către utilizatori. La fel, furnizează traininguri despre MS Project Plan, Prince2 Methodogy&Leadership, gestionând și analizele de afaceri pentru mai multe proiecte.
  • Larisa Tudos este Senior Business Analyst la Endava. Are o experiență de muncă de peste 18 ani în domeniul tehnologiilor informaționale, perioadă în care a avut o creștere incredibilă a carierei în cadrul companiei: de la inginer software, la analist principal de afaceri.
  • Ana-Maria Brânză este coordonatoare Programe de Mentorat pentru femei în domeniul tehnologiilor informaționale și manager de proiecte IT la Orange Systems. La fel, este Ambasador Tech Women în cadrul programului „Tech Women Moldova”, unde susține, implementează și sprijină inițiativele dedicate dezvoltării potențialului și abilităților IT în rândul fetelor și femeilor.
  • Cristina Andronic este fondatoarea BooGeek și Senior Software Developer and Team Lead at AROBS Software. La BooGeek, Cristina instruiește și antrenează persoanele interesate de domeniul IT să devină Dezvoltatori Software. La fel, este Ambasadoare Tech Women Moldova, inițiativă dedicată atragerii, susținerii și promovării femeilor în domeniul TIC.
  • Mihaela Iurașcu este fondatoarea proiectului TEKEDU. Are peste 10 ani de experiență în educație non-formală în domenii de abilitare a tinerilor, egalitate de gen și leadership prin inovație socială. Este pasionată de susținerea și abilitarea tinerelor, precum și de promovarea agendei de abilitare a fetelor și femeilor în domeniul tehnologiilor informaționale, încurajându-le să-și descopere și să-și dezvolte potențialul. 

Pentru mai multe detalii, urmărește pagina de Facebook Tech Women Moldova și pagina de Facebook a evenimentului – „Tech Women Summit 2021”. 

Despre Tech Women Moldova

„Tech Women Moldova” este o platformă lansată în anul 2018 cu sprijinul proiectului Tekwill, finanțat de USAID și Suedia. Inițiativa își propune să fortifice cunoștințele femeilor în tehnologie și să aducă profesioniste împreună, pentru a-și împărtăși cunoștințele, bunele practici, dar și pentru a motiva și alte fete și femei să urmeze o carieră în IT.

Începând cu 2 februarie 2021, „Tech Women Moldova” este o asociație publică, destinată atragerii, sprijinirii și promovării femeilor în domeniul TIC, pentru crearea condițiilor potrivite de participare a acestora în cea mai dinamică industrie a prezentului și viitorului.

În prezent, „Tech Women Moldova” are 16 membre active implicate în programe și evenimente dedicate fetelor și femeilor. Pentru anul 2021, asociația și-a propus să devină cea mai mare platformă pentru fete și femei din industria tech, cu accent pe evenimente, schimb de experiență și cunoștințe, programe de mentorat, conferințe motivaționale, cursuri educaționale, pentru a oferi mai multe oportunități în carieră, creștere profesională și afirmare în domeniul TIC.

VEZI PAGINA EVENIMENTULUI

FinTech 2021: Find Out What Domain Development Projects Are Implemented In Moldova

Technological development has led Moldovan Fintech startups to place technological innovation at the heart of their business. In order to promote the new industry and propel digital solutions directly in financial companies in our country, Startup Moldova with the support of general partners Moldova Agroindbank and Mastercard, but also USAID and Sweden partners launched within the TEKWILL project – “Vertical FinTech 2021”. We are talking about an extensive program that connects different actors in the industry and creates collaborations for the rise of innovations in the field of FinTech in Moldova.

Adam Amberg, Head of the Development Cooperation Section, Swedish Embassy: “Moldova’s IT industry has grown rapidly in recent years and has become one of the most dynamic and competitive sectors of the Moldovan economy. As part of supporting digital transformation and the Moldovan IT sector, Sweden supports the FinTech industry. We are convinced that Moldovan financial and IT startups and companies are crucial parts to bring benefits to the whole society. We believe that the sector will become stronger and that many well-paid jobs will be created, thus providing a more attractive future for young people in Moldova. ”

Brian Wittnebel, Deputy Director, USAID Moldova: “One of the areas with great potential for development in the Republic of Moldova is financial technology. This is because IT accelerates processes and changes paradigms, and startups and IT specialists can become more involved and contribute to the process of digitizing services in the financial-banking sphere. The FinTech 2021 vertical aims to help this sector collaborate and find connections, on the one hand, in detecting the problems faced by banking companies in the country and, on the other hand, in providing relevant IT solutions to change the way that these services are provided by companies. ”

The program brings several benefits, including the development of the local market, the growth of FinTech entrepreneurship, the attraction of new opportunities for financial resources and the increase of international competitiveness. It is designed to help startups develop innovative financial solutions focused on technology and accessibility.

Ana Chirita, Strategic Projects Director, ATIC: “FinTech represents a vertical perspective for TEKWILL. Although we tried to bring the community together several times, this year we managed to offer some concrete programs, such as the FinTech Accelerator, the FinTech Hackathon and a conference, planned for the fall. Moreover, we want the opening of a FinTech Hub in 2021 in another location in the city center, at ASEM, in order to develop and give a new breath to the industry. ”

Program participants were encouraged to access resources, create FinTech products, and present them. They were guided by experts, mentors and trackers to capitalize on their potential as effectively as possible and expand into both the local and international markets.

Tatiana Doroschevici, CEO Keen Payments: “Our startup is designed to connect customers with sellers. We help those who open an online store and want to receive payments from different cards. We implement this option much easier than Moldovan banks. We believe that accelerators are a huge help for those new to the field. Why? First of all, it offers a lot of information from mentors and trackers who guide you, teach you and help you put your idea into practice to get a final result ”.

Maxim Grosul, AutoPiata representative: “I believe that every startup must participate in the Fintech Accelerator, in order to learn many new things and work with trendy technologies. I specialize more on the technical side and I didn’t have much knowledge in marketing, business, clients, that’s why the mentors helped me build my business more efficiently and directed me in solving problems. “

Daniel Hangan, PayA representative: “The Fintech Accelerator has guided us in certain areas where we were not so experienced, it has given us access to experts and experienced people who can help us. At Accelerator the process happens much faster. I believe that more ideas and more experience give you more perspectives for business development. ”

“Vertical FinTech 2021” included a 2-day Hackathon in which 11 teams with the most practical ideas for the financial industry were selected. Subsequently, the teams participated in an Accelerator for the development and application of digital financial solutions. The most innovative solutions had the possibility to be integrated within Moldova Agroindbank. The program will end in the fall with a conference attended by experts, startups and all those associated with the financial industry.

The FinTech Moldova 2021 program is organized with the support of Moldova Agroindbank and Mastercard, by Startup Moldova, with the support of USAID and Sweden within the Tekwill project.

Renewable Energy and Innovative Solutions: PowerTech Vertical Developed With Tekwill

The Tekwill project is committed to promoting the use and application of trans-industrial technologies based on the potential and strategic areas of Moldova such as FinTech, AgTech, PowerTech and MedTech. As a result, PowerTech Vertical was launched – an extensive program dedicated to entrepreneurs who develop solutions for the field of renewable energy. It is a platform that connects different players in the industry and creates bridges for the development of research and innovation. The vertical includes several programs designed to ensure the integration of technologies in the field of sustainable energy, including a laboratory created at the Technical University of Moldova, with the support of the TEKWILL project, supported by USAID and Sweden.

John Riordan, Deputy Head of the USAID Moldova Mission: “Renewable energy and energy efficiency are two of the development objectives of the Republic of Moldova, and we at USAID believe that through the efficient use of renewable energy we will ensure accelerated development of the country. USAID encourages private sector partnerships to choose and promote environmentally friendly technologies and thus develop new business practices and make investments that will mitigate risks. The Technical University of Moldova together with Tekwill created the PowerTech Laboratory – a vertical that supports a group of companies with activities focused on the tech and energy sectors. The laboratory’s work will focus on modernizing curricula and educational materials, studying the latest digital trends in global IT and creating opportunities for IT and non-IT development. ”

Madelene Eichhorn, Program Manager, Swedish Embassy in Moldova: “Sustainable development and the use of renewable energy are strategic objectives of Sweden. Sweden is involved and dedicated to sustainable transformation and is ready to share its national expertise. The use of renewable energy can bring excellent results in all sectors of the country, whether we are talking about a circular economy, innovative and sustainable technologies or a sustainable environment. The merger of the IT sector with the energy sector will create significant potential for the country’s further development. We are happy to be part of this digital development project and to provide training and technological equipment to support teachers, students and other beneficiaries directly involved. ”

PowerTech Lab

“PowerTech Lab” is a laboratory designed to provide an environment conducive to the development of unique and innovative products in this field. It is located at the Technical University of Moldova (78 31 august 1989 Street, Block 2). “Power Tech Lab” reproduces, to a lesser extent, the environment within the Tekwill Center, stimulating the promotion of research and exploration of ICT opportunities, giving participants the opportunity to develop their own concepts. The laboratory is equipped with advanced equipment, which allows both startups and students training and testing in the field of sustainable energy. The laboratory aims to capitalize on the most important soft or hard assets of the university, thus contributing to the modernization of the curriculum and to the increase of the qualification of the targeted departments.

Ana Chirita, director of the TEKWILL project / ATIC Strategic Projects Director: “In the coming years, the skills deficit will increase in parallel with the development of the industry, and education must be aligned, in order to cope with these developments. To achieve this goal, we set out to support universities in developing the capacity to apply the technologies of the future. This laboratory offers several necessary opportunities for innovation, business development and the generation of useful solutions, both nationally and, why not, internationally. Its establishment will help expose students to global best practices and the latest technologies. A great advantage is the fact that the laboratory is located within the university, which creates a technical environment and offers students the opportunity to develop products, along with incubation and acceleration programs.

Viorel Bostan, rector of the Technical University of Moldova: “Of course we have had projects related to sustainable energy so far, but this time, we will bring new materials, modern equipment and, directly, skills and knowledge that will add value to the content and opportunities offered by TUM. The launch of such projects as PowerTech Lab, in which we have the freedom to create and innovate in the education system, brings a dose of motivation and desire for knowledge and development. PowerTech Lab is the place to learn, fail and try again and build ideas that will change the world. ”

Moldova Power Accelerator

Within the vertical “Power Tech” is organized a dedicated accelerator – “Moldova Power Accelerator”, in which 6 local startups in the field of environmental technologies will develop their services and products. For 10 weeks, the newly launched businesses will have expertise, mentoring and guidance from international experts from the DEX Innovation Center in the Czech Republic, but also from experts from the Republic of Moldova, to scale their business.

“Academy of Design”, “Phoenix Technologies”, “Uniqa Wall Systems”, “Scandinavian Smart House”, “Olegnegru” and “Vertical Wind Turbines” – are the startups that participate in the accelerator, developing innovative products, services and solutions, such as:

  • developing a sustainable design for green buildings, offering more energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions;
  • consolidation of renewable energy;
  • construction of prefabricated houses, energy efficient, with solar panels, which are assembled in no more than a week, with zero waste;
  • construction of ecological houses, from project – to turnkey;
  • solar energy generation solutions;
  • solutions for building vertical turbines, in order to maximize the efficiency of the natural wind, thus generating more energy.

About TEKWILL

With the support of 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 expanded its fields of activity, becoming in 2019 a complex project at national level, 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 educational institutions, in line with the demand in the IT market.

TEKWILL – the Business Card of the ICT Sector in Moldova. High-ranking officials from Germany visited the Innovation Hub today.

The “Tekwill” ICT Excellence Center and the visit to the innovation hub was on the agenda of German officials, who accompanied the delegation of President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the Republic of Moldova.

The foreign guests who participated in the presentation tour of the most important hub for the technological community in the country – “Tekwill”, got acquainted with the ecosystem of startups in Moldova, the successes and perspectives of business entrepreneurs based on innovation, educational programs for training IT workforce and others. Representatives of successful local startups also attended the official visit.  

The German delegation that visited Tekwill included:

  • State Secretary ate of the Federal Ministry of Economy and Energy, Ulrich Nussbaum;
  • Andreas Neumann, Head of the Eastern Europe Department of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy;
  • Officer within the Economic Affairs Department of the Office of the Federal President, Katharina Diel-Gligor;
  • Deputy Head of the Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Moldova, Ullrich Kinne. 

The Tekwill team communicated to German guests about the country’s ICT industry, as well as the initiatives it is developing to significantly enhance the sector’s prospects and progress. Officials appreciated the programs implemented by Tekwill in the development of businesses based on innovation, but also the fact that the Republic of Moldova aligns with international trends, implementing initiatives dedicated to growing and supporting business ideas through infrastructure, consulting, mentoring, development opportunities and international experience. 

Ana Chirita, Strategic Project Director, ATIC; Director of the TEKWILL Project: “Germany is a champion in the field of innovation and has always stood out for its exceptional process of transforming ideas into products. Today’s visit was very relevant for us, but also extremely encouraging. One of our priorities, within TEKWILL, is to support the creation of an ecosystem favorable to innovation, to the development of new products with potential. From 2017 until now, with the support of the United States Agency for International Development and Sweden, we have provided training in the field of entrepreneurship to over 44,159 people, and startups and teams supported by TEKWILL have managed to attract investments of over 14 million dollars. This demonstrates the transformative capacity of the Project and our team. We intend to place our country on the regional map of technological innovation and we are very happy that TEKWILL is becoming the business card of the ICT sector. Everything we do is appreciated according to international practices, and the present delegation that accompanied the German President in the Republic of Moldova, comes to reconfirm this ”.

The TEKWILL project, implemented in the Republic of Moldova with the support of the United States Agency for International Development and Sweden, has become an important player in creating an ecosystem conducive to the development of tech startups and innovation, by implementing programs to develop excellence in ICT, workforce and entrepreneurship. For 4 years, the TEKWILL project has attracted more than 13 million dollars in funding, conducted more than 865,000 hours of training, more than 400,000 people have benefited from its programs, and more than 43% of them have been girls and women.

Moldova Power Accelerator: 6 Local Startups Develop Solutions In The Field Of Ecological Technologies To Expand On The International Market

Six local startups in the field of environmental technologies will develop their services and products, in order to expand abroad, within the Moldova Power Accelerator acceleration program. For 10 weeks, the newly launched businesses will have the expertise, mentoring and guidance of international experts from the DEX Innovation Center in the Czech Republic, but also in the Republic of Moldova, to scale their business. Moldova Power Accelerator is organized by Startup Moldova, with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Sweden in the Tekwill project, implemented by the National Association of ICT Companies (ATIC).

Ana Chirita, TEKWILL Director: “Startup Moldova contributes to the development of the ecosystem through innovation and knowledge of the technology industry with other related fields. Integrating these technologies into different spheres of life can provide multiple opportunities for business development and growth. Moldova Power Accelerator is the key for startups and innovators at the forefront of the green industry. We want to develop innovative products and services, with potential for other industries and that are tangible, including abroad.”

The teams will have access to the expertise of the mentors’ group at the DEX Innovation Center in the Czech Republic, an institution that contributes to accelerating sustainable energy innovation in Europe and supporting startups in this field, to find their business model and to achieve performance. The aim of the program is to help local initiatives increase their sales and significantly improve their value in the international market. At the end of the online acceleration program, startups will be able to present their services and products to investors in order to obtain financing.

The 6 startups participating in Moldova Power Accelerator are:

Oleg Negru, Founder of “NGR Green Power”: “Through our startup, we aim to build medium-sized solar power stations, which will be as an alternative to renewable energy for local agriculture. Our main goal is that the final products of the startup NGR Green Power to effectively replace local irrigation systems so as to grow the green economy”.

Ilie Cebotari, Founder of “Design Academy”: “Our startup, “Design Academy “, is positioned as a consulting company for the construction of architectural and green design buildings. Our primary goal is to promote the efficiency of natural resources, to reduce pollution and to continuously look for solutions to improve and perform in the proposed activity. We will also strengthen a group of companies under the auspices of “Green Building Design”, to further promote care for the environment and renewable energies in any sector of activity.”

After completing the acceleration program, startups will participate in a Bootcamp, where they will learn to prepare their pitches for presenting business ideas to investors abroad, will develop their voice and presence skills, benefiting from individual consultations from communication and marketing specialists.

And at the end of December, the six startups will participate in Demo Day, where they will present their services and products to investors, in order to obtain financial resources. Moldova Power Accelerator is implemented by DEX Innovation Center (Czech Republic).

The TEKWILL project – The revolution begins!

The Tekwill project is implemented by the National Association of ICT Companies, with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development 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 expanded its fields of activity, becoming in 2019 a complex project at national level, 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 educational institutions, in line with the demand in the IT market.

More Opportunities for the FinTech Field! A New Hub Will Be Created In Chisinau

In order to impel the development of technologies in the financial field, to ensure quality FinTech education and to stimulate the emergence of technological startups, a specialized hub will be created within the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM). In this regard, the representatives of the National Association of ICT Companies signed on Wednesday, August 11, a Cooperation Agreement with the representatives of ASEM. The action is part of the commitment to support the FinTech field within the TEKWILL project, implemented with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Sweden.

The main purpose of the agreement is to integrate this hub into the overall context of national development strategies and programs, enhancing the entrepreneurial and educational capacity, as well as the research and development potential of higher education institutions in line with industry needs.

Ana Chirita, Strategic Projects Director of ATIC: “FinTech is a growing field, as evidenced by the involvement of financial companies, but also startups in the field within Vertical FinTech 2021 program. Therefore, we want to offer more and more opportunities to the community, by creating a modern space where the scientific research in the field, education and innovation shall be improved. Thus, we will contribute to the growth of digital solutions for the accessibility and efficiency of the financial industry in Moldova. ”

FinTech Hub will be a platform for stimulating digital creativity, technological innovation and growth in the ICT sector, enhanced by involving all stakeholders in the public, academic, business and development sectors. As part of the TEKWILL project, the center will help increase FinTech’s attractiveness in the regional context by creating high-quality, well-paid jobs and discouraging the emigration of talented young people.

By creating this hub, ATIC and ASEM join forces to strengthen collaborations between IT and financial companies, develop connections between higher education institutions with those in the banking-financial and IT sector and promote the alignment of ICT education with labor market requirements.

Grigore Belostecinic, rector of ASEM:“Finteh Hub will complete the current elements of educational infrastructure in the field of IT and business, already existing in ASEM, such as the IT4BA Incubator, ASEM Business Incubator, ASEM Business Center, etc. and will be made available to both ASEM students and teachers as well as to the representatives of environmental businesses, public institutions, the general public, interested in this important field of activity in a society increasingly based on information and knowledge, which is constantly changing. I am convinced that it will please those interested in the activities that will take place within the Center, and the initiation of this collaboration with the National Association of ICT Companies will be a good start for the joint promotion of other equally interesting projects. ”

The priority objectives of the partnership include: encouraging and supporting technological events, creating favorable investment tools, affiliating with international hubs, enabling girls and women to participate in FinTech educational programs, creating an innovative infrastructure and supporting companies that develop new applications and digital products for the financial industry.

The students, teachers, FinTech and ICT companies, but also companies from other areas of the private sector shall be among the main beneficiaries of the project. They will benefit from training, mentoring and entrepreneurship programs. They will also be able to obtain free or reduced certifications and support in creating technology startups. At the same time, they will disseminate information, FinTech products and will have various growth opportunities in the field.

About TEKWILL

Tekwill has been created in 2017 as the Center of Excellence of the ICT sector in Moldova, with the main goal of aligning the field with the requirements of the 21st century. o continue to contribute to increasing the competitiveness of the IT industry and other strategic sectors of the economy, the center has expanded the current fields of activity, becoming in 2019 a complex project at national level. 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 members, but also the research and development potential of higher education institutions, in line with the demand on the IT market.

THE FIRST ACCELERATOR IN THE WINE INDUSTRY, CREATED IN MOLDOVA

Starting with November 5, 2021 and until February 3, 2022, XY Partners company in partnership with Tekwill and Startup Moldova will organize the first accelerator in the wine industry. The acceleration program is created exclusively for people interested in developing technological products and services in the wine industry. 

Benefits of participating in the program:

  • The opportunity to test and implement the idea together with the largest wineries in Moldova;
  • Access to mentoring sessions with experts in both the wine industry and entrepreneurship and product development;
  • Knowledge in launching the business in the wine industry from scratch;
  • Creating relationships with potential partners or customers for your business.

The program will last 3 months and will take place in an online format, which will encourage the participation in the program of people from any corner of the world.

Only 30 participants will be selected in the accelerator, who will be guided by experts from over 12 wineries in Moldova. Participants will also benefit from mentoring sessions with over 15 international experts in the wine industry and over 20 entrepreneurship trainings.

In addition to participants from Moldova, interested people from different countries are expected. Participation in the program is absolutely free of charge. If you have a technological idea in the wine industry, you are invited to fill in the registration form by November 1, 2021.

More details about the program can be found on the event’s Facebook page.

For any questions or ambiguities, you can leave a message at the e-mail address traian@xy.md.

Wine Accelerator is implemented by XY is carried out with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Sweden, with the support of Tekwil and Startup Moldova in the Project “Development of the Center of Excellence in ICT”.