“[Startups] are not just building businesses, but transforming our country into that modern European state awaited by our entire society"

"Through innovation and collaboration, we aim to transform Moldova into a fertile ground for startups, where bold ideas meet the necessary resources to grow and thrive."

Work hard, play hard was my motivation for the entire production team as we were a group of young enthusiasts and Carbon was an entire adventure. Thank you to everyone who has been with me from the beginning until the end

In recent years, we've demonstrated that our films are sought after, desired, and in demand not only in Moldova, not just in the European Union, but also across the ocean. The cinema low ammendment to institute a film fund, which we want to promote in the Parliament, will ensure a multi years production cycle and a sustainable film ecosystem

I have built my career on music, as I am a singer, and not a professional actor. Today, as I win the award for Best Male Lead, realized that I have lived 65 years as a professional singer and still have art to share with the Republic of Moldova and the world through acting

We have gathered here tonight to congratulate the best, to encourage those who are not among the winners, and to move forward regardless of results, shoulder to shoulder, to produce films, to push things forward, and to make our country recognized internationally through films

Sweden and our partners, USAID and the United Kingdom, are delighted to support the entire creative industry, and particularly the film sector in the Republic of Moldova on its journey to international markets

The extension is a clear indication of Moldova's dedication to the tech sector. It gives us the stability and confidence to invest and grow our operations here

This is more than a legislative change; it's a strategic move towards reinforcing Moldova as a top destination for high-value-added products and services in the region. It aligns with our vision to foster an innovative ecosystem where every participant plays a crucial role in our collective growth and success.

Although we are a small nation, our strength lies in resilience, clear priorities, and rapid implementation, key factors for developing a dynamic startup ecosystem. Even in the face of challenges like the pandemic and regional conflicts, our spirit of innovation remains unshaken. The emerging landscape of Moldovan startups, supported by a talented digital workforce, holds significant potential. With advantages like a central location in Europe, affordable living costs, favorable tax policies, and robust internet connectivity, Moldova is ready to become a thriving center for entrepreneurship and innovation.

Republic of Moldova actively aligns with European values, recognizing culture as an essential pillar in building a prosperous democratic society. Cinematography leads in spreading new values and promoting cultural diversity, and film is one of the most powerful ways to tell the story of a nation

From 2014 until now, with the emergence of the Cinematography Law, filmmakers in the Republic of Moldova have made efforts to demonstrate that we can, and indeed, we achieve this goal we set for ourselves—to make films. We are aware of the importance of this moment, and we will make every effort for cinematography to become the most important tool in Moldova's communication with the world

The Cinema Hora Forum inaugurates a new stage in international collaboration for the Moldovan film industry. In the creative industries in Moldova, approximately 9,000 employees work, receiving salaries up to 50% higher than in other fields, and the United States, through USAID, supports these growth opportunities for Moldova. I am looking forward to seeing the results of the partnerships established during this event

In Slovenia, for a film from abroad to obtain funding, it is necessary for the applicant to be a co-producer from Slovenia. Another criterion, and the most important one, is that the project must be funded to the extent of at least 50% by the country of origin of the main producer of the film. We can say that we are looking for films that already have a part of the funding secured

It is essential to invest not only in the production of films but also to try to invest more in the promotion of these films and your talents. If the money only goes into production, you may not achieve anything or very little internationally. I can say from my own experience that it is crucial to invest in the promotion of films, distribution, participation in international festivals, and other similar activities

I believe that the best thing we can do now is to learn from those with experience, so we expect from this forum as many international co-productions as possible

Moldova's cinematography needs to be visible internationally because we have a lot to say. We are like an archaeological site that has not yet been discovered

This event is very important for our country because making a film means having friends, partners, understanding how this industry works today in the world and what the audience expects. Moldova is gradually finding its place in the film industry, and obviously, it needs support to grow

In 2023, we witnessed the creation of over 1,900 new jobs within residents of the Park, fueled by both the influx of new resident companies and the expansion of existing ones.

In the first year of the park's operation, IT exports exceeded wine exports by 2.5 billion lei

MITP is a functional concept that has proven its success and value through the figures presented

Our goal is to extend Moldova's tech footprint on the global stage through attracting foreign investments and promoting exports

The importance of continuous development and community involvement is key to achieving this vision

Currently, in the Republic of Moldova, we have about 50 thousand companies, and from a certain perspective, we need more entrepreneurs to create more value, contributing to the growth of the economy. One of our main priorities is to promote entrepreneurship, and the success of each entrepreneur is our main mission. For this, we work primarily to provide maximum freedom, as we know the startup community prefers doing business, and we must help them feel like they are in a vast ocean, where they can create and benefit from support."

It's a pleasure to be here because there is a lot of talent and innovation in this room, which is super impressive to me. The theme of alternative financing is of real interest, both for Moldova and our partners. USAID is taking the approach to developing the startup and innovation system in Moldova to a new level. Thus, Moldova is becoming known as a destination for startups, including participation in international and local events. Meanwhile, a more robust infrastructure for entrepreneurs and SMEs is being built, encouraging them to grow in Moldova, to keep talents here at home—a goal we have been working on for some time and is starting to yield results.

The purpose of this event is primarily to inform entrepreneurs and startup founders that there are alternative financing methods. We come before them with eloquent examples where small businesses have benefited from financial support, either from grants or dedicated government programs. The conference is a starting point for those who want to launch a crowdfunding campaign, wish to attract private investors, or are about to apply for financial support within a program—to inform themselves and make informed decisions regarding their business.

Raising capital through crowdfunding helps companies easily obtain funding through loans or equity. Companies also gain validation from the community and new customers or partners. It's essential to choose the right instrument. Sometimes, the business needs a loan if every invested euro generates a profit of 2 or 3. Other times, the company needs equity crowdfunding to attract funds in exchange for shares. For a professional equity crowdfunding campaign, entrepreneurs need about six months. The first step is assessing the community's interest in investing in the business. For a loan, you need 15 minutes, and you submit the application; everything is simple and transparent.

"If you invest in infrastructure and teachers' skills, sooner or later you will see the results in education, Gold medal at First Global robotics competition is a proof for our long-term commitment to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education. I believe Moldova's education system will be soon a global example on how to adapt to new realities and how to embrace technologies "

"Future Classroom has championed the National Educational Robotics Program, reaching over 200,000 students nationwide. The Moldovan team's victory at FIRST Global stands as a testament to our program's success and the unparalleled talent and determination of our youth."

"Our objective is to inspire and catalyze bioinformatics and biotechnological advancements that will not only benefit the Republic of Moldova but also have a global impact. By fostering high-impact research and offering comprehensive support for interdisciplinary projects focused on practical applications and economic transfer, we strive to address major societal challenges through mission-based strategic research."