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Accelerate your tech solution to tackle the region's most acute challenges and boost Moldova's innovation ecosystem

The unique growth programme that helps Moldovan startups to scale abroad and Ukrainian tech businesses to relocate to the country. Discover a vast network of investors and industry experts, access learning and mentoring opportunities.

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Map of Moldova

Moldova tech ecosystem overview

#13

#13 for starting a business

#33

for paying taxes *out of 190 countries in Doing Business Ranking 2021

7% tax

A single 7% tax on the turnover in the IT Park

1 day

1 day and 3 procedures to register a business in Moldova

IT Visa

Simplified IT Visa Program - work permit for 2 or 4 years

1/3

1/3 lower Cost of Living than any Eastern European country

The Covid-19 pandemic triggered the global economic crisis and, shortly later the war in Ukraine brought geopolitical instability in the world. The European tech scene was confronted with a number of considerable challenges and Moldova is not an exception.

These are just some of the ecosystem challenges that Moldova is currently experiencing:

A 38% drop in startup funding in Europe (Crunchbase, 2022)

Increased unemployment rate of 38.8% (UNDP, 2021)

Unrecognised potential of Moldovan tech startups, lack of international connections

Fewer opportunities for women in tech since the sector is 70% male-dominated  (MITP, 2021)

About the programme

Connect 4 Growth accelerates 12 tech startups from Moldova and Ukraine that solve the most pressing challenges. 

The programme offers the perfect environment for learning and networking as well as getting international exposure. 

The participants will have a chance to engage in insightful workshops on well-designed topics, mentoring sessions with industry experts and pitching opportunities during Demo Day.

Successful startups will get a complimentary participation at Wolves Summit - one of the largest tech events in Central and Eastern Europe.

Programme includes:

6 Workshops

Learn how to scale abroad and tackle the global challenges efficiently during the facilitated practical workshops focusing on the following areas:

  • The Challenges of International Market Entry
  • Competitive Analysis and Sources of Competitive Advantage
  • B2B Sales Prospecting
  • Resource Management
  • Fundraising – Understanding the VC World
  • Building a Pitch Deck & Pitching Techniques
a group of people looking at a computer screen

2 Face-to-Face Mentoring Sessions

Get clarity and a better understanding of your strategy with industry experts. Every startup will have two sessions each to ask questions and get valuable advice.

a person sitting at a desk and having a one on one mentoring session

A Demo Day

A day full of insightful pitches and opportunity to network. Every startup will have an opportunity to pitch its solution to a competent  jury of international experts, mentors and investors.

Women presenting a demo day on a startup event

Free Participation at Wolves Summit 2023

Be among the five successful startups who will have their ticket, accommodation and transport covered to participate at Wolves Summit in Wroclaw.

People attending Wolves Summit

Why join the programme?

Wolves Summit 2023

Be among the five successful startups who will have their ticket, accommodation and transport covered to participate at Wolves Summit in Wroclaw.

Global Network

Discover a vast network of investors, industry experts, partners and mentors to access new possibilities.

Accelerator Programme

Bring your startup to the forefront of innovation in Moldova by getting useful insights through workshops and training sessions. 

Access to Finance

Explore funding opportunities, introduce yourself and build a network of investors

Individual Support

Access free mentoring sessions with industry experts to receive feedback and assistance 

Increased Visibility

 Get a chance to showcase your solution to an international audience. Raise awareness and increase visibility for your startup.

Who can apply for this programme?

Location

- Tech startups based and registered in Moldova

- Businesses from Ukraine who are willing to relocate to Moldova

Sectors

- Health Care
- Ed Tech

- Climate Tech
- Energy and Sustainability

Stage

- Early stage, MVP and Post MVP businesses who are ready to scale

- Minimum a team of two

23th January

Application opens

24th February

Application closes 

13th March

12 successful startups are announced

28-29th March

Accelerator Programme

30th of March

Demo Day

23-25 May

Wolves Summit in Wroclaw

Knowledge hub

This is a constantly updated knowledge hub for tech startups in Moldova, where you can find:

  • Helpful resources, such as industry reports, analyses and useful links to learn more about the tech ecosystem in Moldova
  • Recordings of the workshops from the Connect 4 Growth Accelerator Programme 
  • Findings of the Connect 4 Growth extensive survey

The Survey

As a substantial part of the Connect 4 Growth project, we conducted a detailed analysis of the Moldovan ecosystem and identified the most pressing challenges the country is currently facing.

On the back of the findings, we built the Accelerator Programme that helps startups in tackling those challenges. The survey results have also created value to the rest of the tech and innovation community in the country. 

You can download the results below.

Resources

Connect 4 Growth Symbol

About Connect 4 Growth

Connect 4 Growth - a unique growth programme that helps Moldovan startups to scale abroad and Ukrainian tech businesses to relocate to the country through learning and networking opportunities in the local ecosystem.

The project aims to boost Moldova's innovation ecosystem and increase local startups' resilience by creating learning and networking opportunities and bringing international exposure and expertise.

Founding Members

Wolves Summit is an integrated deal-flow and digital marketing platform for investors and tech companies.

Offering year-round engagement through digital events, corporate innovation challenges, and startup scaling activities. Every edition attracts a diverse audience of 2000+ investors, startups, and industry leaders.

Since 2015, Wolves Summit events facilitated over 35,000 meetings between 19,000+ participants. The summit has a network of 170+ community partners globally which includes accelerators and startup operators. In 2021 the company spun out a new startup division called WolvesX supporting large organisations such as LG Electronics, PwC, Garage+, Economic Development Board in Singapore, among others, addressing a wide range of corporate and government innovation challenges.

For more information please wolvessummit.com

Moldova Innovation Technology Park (MITP)

is the first nationwide e-park providing a world-class range of services for tech business entrepreneurs and reuniting the largest pool of tech entrepreneurs and talent from Moldova and other foreign countries such as the US, Romania, EU, or CIS.

MITP was launched by the Moldovan Government at the beginning of 2018 as an innovative 7% single tax platform committed to driving the Moldovan tech ecosystem and boosting its competitiveness at the regional level. Its residents have also been offered simplified immigration procedures (IT Visa Program), reduced bureaucratic barriers, and a virtual presence. The e-Park became a regional success, recognized not only in Moldova but also internationally. In 2019, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) recognized the Park as one of the best global practices in the promotion and development of the IT ecosystem.

For more information please www.mitp.md

Leaders of the programme

Portrait of Daniela Botnariuc smiling

Daniela Botnariuc

Community Manager, Moldova Innovation Technology Park

Gergo Gulyas, Co-lead, Wolves X

Gergő Gulyás

Co-lead, Wolves X

Portrait of Olga

Olga Milevska

Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Portrait of Veronica Bucur

Veronica Bucur

Communications Specialist, Moldova Innovation Technology Park

Frequestly Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the programme?

This is a unique project that focuses on the negative effects of the war on Moldova's tech sector. Connect 4 Growth aims to improve the ecosystem of Moldova in such a complex way that provides education, acceleration, and international exposure to the participants and Moldova itself.

What is the structure of the programme?

  • 2-day hackathon focusing on internationalisation and helping 12 participating startups tackle global challenges through workshops and mentoring sessions 
  • Demo Day - discussions, webinars, and a pitching opportunity
  • Wolves Summit in Wroclaw - a unique opportunity for 5 successful startups to attend the best tech event in CEE and present their solution for free

Who can apply for the programme?

  • Post - MVP tech startups from Moldova 
  • Post - MVP tech startups from Ukraine who are willing to relocate to Moldova 
  • Sectors: HealthCare, EdTech, ClimateTech, Energy and Sustainability sectors that are in line with the efforts of the local office

Is the programme free? Who covers my expenses?

The project is free and is funded by the Polish Aid and UNDP. All parts of the programme, such as an accelerator, a demo day are free to attend for the selected participants. 

The expenses of participation in the Wolves Summit, including accommodation will be covered for 5 successful startups (however, travel expenses are not included and should be covered by startups)

Where will the programme take place?

The programme will primarily take place in Chișinău, Moldova, including the accelerator programme and a demo day. Wolves Summit event will take place in Wroclaw.

Are the accommodation expenses covered?

The accommodation expenses of the participants who are not based in Chișinău will not be covered by the programme, except for the participants who will be invited to the Wolves Summit event. 

Do I need to attend all the parts of the project?

Yes, in case your startup is selected for the participation in the programme, at least one member of a team needs to be present at all sessions and events of the project. 

Applications are now open!