By turning challenges into a catalyst for change, Moldova has transformed the IT sector and digitalisation into a priority project to reaffirm its international standing.
This process has not only brought modern public services but also strengthened European and regional partnerships.
Through the full digitalisation of nearly 650 public services, the adoption of modern legislation for freelancers and digital nomads, and the creation of innovation hubs such as Moldova HiTech Park, the country has positioned itself among regional leaders in digitalisation.
Thus, Moldova demonstrates its capacity to provide citizens and businesses with fast, transparent, and efficient access to essential services, while reinforcing its role as a reliable international partner.
Investments in consolidating a competitive and sustainable digital ecosystem are based on developing and attracting human capital, as well as extending the effects of digitalisation beyond the public sector.
They stimulate flexible careers, support individual entrepreneurship and the business environment, and facilitate the integration of specialists into the global economy. Human capital thus becomes the engine of innovation and a strong argument in favour of accelerating Moldova’s EU accession process.
This effort is driven by a broad coalition of stakeholders that fosters innovation through a dynamic mix of initiatives, including dedicated events, collaborative platforms, startup incubators, research hubs, and partnerships spanning the public, private, and academic sectors.
Most recently, the flagship event in its third edition brought together over 300 participants from more than 10 countries.
Engineers, designers, researchers, students, and entrepreneurs joined forces for 48 hours of intensive prototyping. The hackathon provided a unique platform for transforming bold ideas into tangible solutions, powered by direct collaboration with international mentors, experts, and investors.
Doina Nistor, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalisation, said, “We see more and more ideas, more and more innovations, and more and more courage—and this brings us joy.
“The government believes in you, supports you, and invests in building a sustainable and inclusive economy, where Moldovan startups can become regional and global players. The future of the Republic of Moldova is in your hands, and together we can build a strong digital economy. Even in difficult times, innovation remains the driving force that will move us forward.”
Technology enthusiasts, researchers, and programmers transformed Chișinău into a true innovation lab, tackling challenges in fields such as Artificial Intelligence, FinTech, HealthTech, EnergyTech, AgriFood, Cybersecurity, and RegTech, and turning bold ideas into functional prototypes in an intense 48-hour sprint.
The content of the challenges was developed in collaboration with local companies and institutions to ensure alignment with the sector’s real needs as closely as possible. Participants transformed challenges into impactful prototypes, solutions that can be further developed and have the potential to transform key industries.
For example, in the RegTech track, Orange Systems, one of the event’s partners, proposed the development of a B2B solution to help SMEs comply with the cybersecurity requirements introduced by recently adopted legislation.
Meanwhile, Fineguide.ai, in collaboration with the National Bank of Moldova, designed a FinTech challenge focused on document anonymisation. Participants were tasked with creating solutions to safeguard sensitive data while ensuring legal compliance—an innovation that provides a vital tool for the financial sector’s digital future.
Mary Nemciuc, CEO of Technovator, organiser of the hackathon, added, “DeepTech GigaHack, now in its third edition, has proven that Moldova can not only generate innovative ideas but also deliver impactful solutions capable of transforming strategic sectors and creating tangible value—showing that ideas born in Moldova can rapidly turn into globally scalable solutions.
“The event confirms the potential of the local innovation community and the country’s capacity to position itself as a regional hub for emerging technologies, fostering collaboration between startups, academia, and international companies.”
In total, 44 teams registered for the competition, and 8 of them impressed the jury, going home with the winning titles. Winning teams will have the opportunity to continue developing their projects in collaboration with partners.
