Call for Project Proposals: Strengthening Moldova’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

The focus areas include incubation and pre-acceleration support, acceleration and growth-oriented initiatives, entrepreneurial mindset development, engineering skills and product development, hackathons, meet-ups and ecosystem engagement, investment readiness and fundraising support, collaboration between key stakeholders, and diaspora engagement. The programme aims to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, enhance technical and business skills, and provide structured support for startup growth through incubation, pre-acceleration, and acceleration programmes, as well as hackathons, bootcamps, and ecosystem events. Selected initiatives are expected to foster collaboration between startup support organisations, academia, and the private sector, promoting innovation, expanding the pool of tech and entrepreneurial talent, improving business sustainability, and accelerating the development of ventures that contribute to Moldova’s economic transformation and international competitiveness.

The total indicative funding made available by Expertise France under this call is EUR 1,000,000. Grant requests must fall between EUR 50,000 and EUR 250,000, and applicants are required to provide a minimum co-financing contribution of 20% of the total project budget, secured from own resources or other funding partners. Structured incubation and pre-acceleration programmes will help early-stage startups refine their business models, develop prototypes, and access mentorship, while providing resources such as coworking spaces, expert-led workshops, and funding opportunities. Acceleration programmes are designed to support scaling startups with market entry, international expansion, and investment readiness, and to facilitate networking opportunities by connecting founders with investors, advisors, and corporate partners.

Capacity building through training sessions, masterclasses, and technical workshops will enhance engineering and product development capabilities, and initiatives will promote entrepreneurial culture through events and awareness campaigns. Hackathons, meet-ups, and other ecosystem engagement activities will foster collaboration, encourage innovation, and strengthen knowledge-sharing among startups and experienced entrepreneurs. Investment readiness and fundraising support will provide startups with tailored programmes to refine financial strategies, prepare for investor pitches, and access funding opportunities, while mobilising stakeholders to strengthen Moldova’s startup financing landscape.

Collaboration between academia, private sector actors, and startup support organisations is encouraged to drive sustainable innovation, promote cross-sector partnerships, and align efforts with international best practices. Diaspora engagement is also a key element, enabling structured pathways for mentorship, early-stage funding, and strategic market intelligence, further accelerating the growth and internationalisation potential of Moldova’s innovation ecosystem.

For more information, visit Expertise France.