Chișinău, Moldova, September 18, 2025 – Moldovan village Butuceni welcomed 36 startup founders (pre-seed stage) and 26 investors (VCs, Family Office, Angels) at TechVillage 2025. The event brought together startups, investors and ecosystem builders from across the European Union, Western Balkans, and Eastern Partnership countries. The attendees spent 3 days dedicated to meaningful conversations, networking, cultural activities and cross-border collaboration all in a setting designed to inspire trust, reflection, and long-term partnerships.
Real Conversations, Real Connections
Unlike traditional tech conferences, TechVillage was built around a simple but powerful idea: create an environment where founders and investors can have real conversations and build long-term partnerships. And it happened. Participants spent three days pitching, mentoring, and connecting through curated 180+ 1:1 meetings and fireside talks on fundraising, growth, and international expansion. The event was designed to remove distractions and create space for strategic thinking and meaningful collaboration. Immediately after the event, 8 deals are being negotiated.
“TechVillage 2025 has shown that Moldova is not only a country of opportunities but also a place where ideas, people, and cultures meet to create value. By bringing together founders and investors from across Europe and beyond, we are building a bridge between Moldova’s entrepreneurial talent and the global innovation community. Our Government is committed to supporting such initiatives, because every connection made here means new jobs, stronger companies, and a more competitive economy for Moldova. TechVillage is more than an event – it is a signal that Moldova is ready to play an active role in shaping the regional and European innovation ecosystem”,
said Doina Nistor, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization of the Republic of Moldova.
‘’We are proud to support events such as TechVillage, which serve as a valuable platform for collaboration and meaningful engagement between startup founders and investors from across the region and beyond. This event stands out as a significant milestone for Moldova’s increasing visibility in the international innovation arena, offering a unique opportunity for actors of the national startup ecosystem to effectively connect with counterparts from around the world. By facilitating cross-border cooperation, it fosters the exchange of innovative ideas and expertise, strengthening the national innovation network and its ties with the European and global startup ecosystems.’’,
said Thibault Charlet, Policy Officer, Digital and Economic Development, Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), European Commission
“There are many events that bring together investors and startups, but not many are doing what TechVillage is doing—bringing people from different countries and ecosystems to one of the most beautiful landscapes in Moldova. This is why we at EU4Innovation East have decided to support this event: it is exactly matching our objective of bringing together different ecosystems, making sure that startups and investors make connections and laying the ground for future investments.’’,
mentioned Charles Mathiaux, Project Deputy Director, EU4Innovation East.
“TechVillage 2025 was the most authentic event I have participated in for a long time. It created genuine relationships between investors and startups, clarified expectations on both sides, and offered a rare chance to experience Moldova’s countryside alongside with tech know-how. What stood out to me was how naturally cultural heritage blended with entrepreneurial ambition—this combination sparked conversations that went deeper than investment terms and turned into shared visions for the future. That is what makes this gathering unique and memorable.”
Stella Jemna, Country Representative for Moldova at Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund.
“Helvetas, through OPTIM Project, is proud to support TechVillage as Moldova's tech ecosystem reaches new levels of excellence. We see tremendous potential in our local innovators, and events like this are essential for connecting Moldovan ingenuity with global opportunities. The future of innovation is collaborative, and Moldova is ready to be a key player in that future.”,
mentioned Evghenia Snitco, Deputy Team Leader, OPTIM Project.
“TechVillage confirms that Moldova is becoming a meeting point where regional collaboration comes to life, bringing together startups and investors from over 10 countries. By supporting entrepreneurs, we are investing not only in new ideas and jobs but also in the competitiveness and stability of the region. We are proud to be strategic partners of this event and to contribute to turning local potential into international success stories.”,
said Sergiu Rabii, Director Innovate Moldova Programme.
A Strong Regional and International Presence
The event gathered early-stage and growth-stage startups from Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, North Macedonia, Poland, and other countries across the region. They were joined by investors and venture capitalists from Estonia, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovenia and angel investors from the Republic of Moldova. Among the VC that attended the event are: BADideas.fund, Silicon Gardens, Estonian Business Angel Association (EstBAN), Presto Tech Horizons, Purple Ventures, Terminus VC, Angel Investor Club of Armenia, Insight Partners, Fortech Investments, Founders Bridge, N1 Ventures, Nomadic Minds, Catalyst Romania, J&T Ventures, Sparking Capital, u.ventures.
“Events like TechVillage are critical because they bridge ecosystems that do not often have the chance to meet. Europe needs more cross-border collaboration, and gatherings like this allow ideas, capital, and talent to move more freely. It is not just about pitching, it is about building long-term trust and relationships. After all, it takes a village to raise your startup.”,
mentioned Nare Gevorgyan, CEO of Angel Investor Club of Armenia.
TechVillage: an opportunity to showcase Moldova's talent and culture
TechVillage 2025 showcased the country as a rising player in the regional innovation and investment landscape. With its blend of strong local talent, cultural depth, and strategic positioning, Moldova proved it can host high-quality, results-driven events that stand out in the crowded startup scene.
“TechVillage 2025 showcases a dynamic Moldova, where tradition meets innovation. Bringing together promising startups and international investors in Butuceni confirms Moldova’s role as a regional hub for technology and investment. At Invest Moldova, we are committed to turning these connections into lasting partnerships with real impact for our economy and communities.”,
affirmed Natalia Bejan, General Director at Invest Moldova Agency.
“TechVillage proved that Moldova is more than a stopover, but an emerging destination for innovation. What began with skepticism ended in confidence, as founders and investors found common ground to connect, collaborate, and shape future deals.”,
said Renata Ungureanu, CEO of XY Partners.
What’s Next
The organizers are already preparing for TechVillage 2026, with plans to deepen regional partnerships and grow international interest. Founders and investors interested in future editions can learn more at: www.techvillage.md
TechVillage is organised by XY Partners, with support from the EU4Innovation East project, funded by the European Union, co-funded by the French Government and implemented by Expertise France; in partnership with the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund, the Swiss Government through Helvetas, and the Innovate Moldova Programme funded by Sweden.
