- Moldova’s largest startup summit gathers 2,000+ participants, founders, investors, and tech leaders this April
- The event’s programme covers AI, DeepTech, scaling strategies, funding trends, and global market expansion
- The agenda features 60+ international speakers and Startup World Cup pitching competition
- The Summit places strong focus on networking, matchmaking, and connecting startups with investors and partners
Startup Moldova Summit 2026 is set to take place on April 22nd, 2026, in Chișinău, bringing together founders, investors, and technology leaders for the largest startup-focused event in the country. Hosted at the Arena Chișinău, the Summit continues to strengthen its role as a central platform for innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in Eastern Europe.
Now in its sixth edition, Startup Moldova Summit is firmly positioned as a key meeting point for the regional and international startup ecosystem. Under the theme ‘Born in Moldova. Built for the World,’ this event showcases how local ideas can scale globally while attracting international capital and expertise.
The 2026 edition is anticipated to be the largest to date, with more than 2,000 participants, including over 150 startups, 60 international speakers, and 50+ active investors. This diverse audience reflects the summit’s growing importance as a hub where innovation meets opportunity and where early-stage ventures can connect directly with funding and strategic partners.
Agenda and Programme
Startup Moldova Summit 2026 offers a dynamic, multi-format programme designed to combine inspiration, practical learning, and direct business opportunities. The event will feature keynote sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and startup pitches across multiple stages and dedicated zones.
Core themes of the summit focus on the future of technology and entrepreneurship, including innovation, artificial intelligence, global startup trends, and the evolving digital economy. More specifically:
- Global scaling strategies, to Silicon Valley and beyond
- DeepTech innovation and Europe’s opportunity to lead globally
- Practical startup growth playbooks, including Bolt and Swedish scaling models
- AI transformation across business, interfaces, and solo entrepreneurship models
- Funding landscape shifts and implications for founders and innovation capital
- Marketing, sales psychology, and converting interest into actual customer decisions
- Leveraging platforms like LinkedIn for international startup expansion
- Talent, hiring strategies, and building strong, scalable team cultures
- Importance of experimentation, mindset, and psychological safety in innovation
- Sector-specific focus, including AgriTech development and Moldova’s startup ecosystem growth
These topics highlight the increasing importance of scalable, tech-driven business models and the role of emerging ecosystems in shaping global markets.
A standout element of the programme is the Startup World Cup regional competition, where selected startups will pitch their ideas on the main stage. Winners will gain the opportunity to compete at the global finals in San Francisco for a USD 1M investment prize, adding a high-stakes global dimension to the event.
Speakers and Participants
The summit will feature a diverse lineup of international speakers, including founders, investors, and industry experts who are shaping the future of technology and business. With more than 60 speakers expected, participants will gain insights into scaling startups, attracting investment, and navigating global markets. The announced speakers include:
- Massimo Giulio Caterino, Partner Technology Strategist at Microsoft
- Thibault Charlet, Programme Manager Digital and Economic Development at the European Commission
- Gabriela Dia, Senior Associate at GapMinder VC
- Irina Dimitrova, Partner at LAUNCHub Ventures
- Andrei Dudoiu, Co-Founder and CEO at SeedBlink
- Jaïr Halevi, Head of Startup Program at Miro
- Laurent Koerge, Director Expansion & Franchise at Bolt
- Alina Kovalchuk, Founder and LinkedIn Advisor at The BRANDED Club
- Olga Melniciuc, CEO at Startup Moldova
- Sacha Michaud, Co-Founder at Glovo
- Felicia Olteanu, Marketing Lead at The Recursive
- Bill Reichert, Partner at Pegasus Tech Ventures, Chief Evangelist at Startup World Cup
- Michiel Scheffer, President of the Board of the European Innovation Council
- Vladimir Verbulski, Founder and CEO at Argus AI
- Florin Visa, Partner at Early Game Ventures
- Oksana Vodonos, Associate at 500 Global
Attendees include a wide spectrum of stakeholders—from early-stage entrepreneurs and scaleups to venture capitalists, corporate leaders, and policymakers. This cross-sector representation ensures a comprehensive exchange of ideas and perspectives across the innovation ecosystem.
Expo and Networking
A defining feature of Startup Moldova Summit 2026 is its strong emphasis on connection and opportunity. The event creates a shared space where founders meet capital, talent meets opportunity, and ideas move into action.
The Summit will include an expo zone where startups can showcase their products and solutions, alongside dedicated areas for workshops and business matchmaking. A digital platform will further enhance networking by enabling participants to schedule one-on-one meetings and connect with relevant partners.
Curated networking sessions, investor meetups, and informal gatherings will provide additional opportunities for collaboration, deal-making, and long-term partnerships. For startups, the event offers direct exposure to investors and potential clients, while investors gain access to a curated pipeline of emerging ventures.
In a Nutshell
- Date: April 22, 2026
- Place: Chișinău Arena, Chișinău, Moldova
- More information: on the Summit’s official website
- Tickets here, use promo code ITKEYSMS26 for 20% off the Explorer Pass
Organizers position Startup Moldova Summit 2026 as a catalyst for regional innovation and global ambition. By connecting startups with capital, knowledge, and international exposure, the summit aims to elevate Moldova’s role in the global technology ecosystem and demonstrate how ideas born locally can scale worldwide.
Kostiantyn is a freelance writer from Crimea but based in Lviv. He loves writing about IT and high tech because those topics are always upbeat and he’s an inherent optimist!
