Startup Moldova seals European funding partnerships

Startup Moldova has announced partnerships with Unicorn Factory Lisbon, SeedBlink and the Ukrainian Startup Fund, linking the country’s startup sector more closely to European funding and acceleration networks.

The agreements were unveiled at the Startup Moldova Summit in Chișinău, which organisers said drew more than 2,000 participants, 150 startups, 60 speakers and international investors for its largest edition so far.

The new partnerships are intended to widen Moldovan founders’ access to acceleration programmes, investor networks and cross-border funding channels. Under one agreement, Unicorn Factory Lisbon and Startup Moldova will support local startups seeking entry to international acceleration programmes and expansion into EU markets.

Another partnership brings together Moldova Innovation Technology Park, Startup Moldova and the Ukrainian Startup Fund to support cross-border cooperation, improve access to finance and deepen integration with the wider European innovation system.

SeedBlink and Startup Moldova also plan to launch a crowdinvesting platform for Moldovan startups, designed to help companies raise money through syndicated investment rounds and connect with European angel investors.

The moves come as Moldova seeks to develop a small but growing technology sector. The country’s startup ecosystem now includes more than 300 companies and has been expanding by 20% year on year.

At the summit opening, Olga Melniciuc outlined the sector’s latest growth figures. “Moldova’s ecosystem has grown to over 300 companies, expanding by 20% year over year. In 2025 alone, startups generated over $60 million in revenue, created over 1,500 jobs, and attracted over $17 million in investment, demonstrating that startups are becoming a real driver of the country’s economic growth. The theme of the Summit – ‘Born in Moldova. Built for the World.’ – reflects the ambition of our founders, who are building companies designed to compete globally from day one,” said Olga Melniciuc, chief executive of Startup Moldova.

The figures point to a startup market that remains modest by regional standards but is trying to connect more directly with larger European capital pools. For countries on the edge of the EU, those links can matter as much as domestic policy in determining whether founders stay local or move abroad.

Moldova has also been trying to make its business environment more attractive to technology companies. Moldova Innovation Technology Park offers a 7% flat tax for eligible IT and digital activities, while the country is developing digital nomad and remote-work frameworks and preparing a fund of funds intended to widen access to venture and equity finance.

Officials have also highlighted efforts to digitise public services and business processes, including contactless business tools, e-governance measures and digital public infrastructure such as the EVO government app, which is intended to simplify public and business-facing services.

Regional links

The involvement of the Ukrainian Startup Fund underlines a wider regional dimension to Moldova’s approach. By building ties not only with western European organisations but also with neighbouring ecosystems, the country is seeking to position itself as a more connected part of the European startup map.

Sergiu Rabii, who leads the Innovate Moldova Programme funded by Sweden and the United Kingdom, said the agreements reflected a broader shift in how Moldovan founders are being connected to international markets and expertise. “These partnerships show that Moldova’s startup ecosystem is becoming more connected and internationally relevant. By improving access to capital, expertise and markets, Sweden and the United Kingdom are helping Moldovan founders scale faster and build companies with global potential,” said Sergiu Rabii, director of the Innovate Moldova Programme.

The European Union has also backed efforts to support entrepreneurship in Moldova through EU4Innovation East. That support reflects a broader push to strengthen startup structures in countries linked economically and politically to the bloc.

Julien Schmitt, director of the EU4Innovation East programme, said growth in the number of companies was increasing demand for stronger support systems and better financing routes. “Startup Moldova Summit 2026 reflects the continued progress of Moldova’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. For the second consecutive year, the European Union, through EU4Innovation East, is proud to support this platform that connects founders, investors and international markets. As the number of startups in Moldova grows, so does the need for stronger support structures and access to capital,” he said.

Summit focus

The event also featured a Startup Alley, where 42 startups presented their products, along with the national final of the Startup World Cup pitching competition. Ten startups pitched to a jury of international investors.

Prompted AI won the competition, while LyricFluent and Argus AI placed second and third.