Inotek Centre has officially launched the Business Digital Start program, an initiative dedicated to entrepreneurs in the south of the Republic of Moldova who want to modernize and digitalize their businesses. The program targets companies from the districts of Leova, Cantemir, and Taraclia and provides practical training in digitalization, focusing on tools that can be applied in the daily operations of a business.

More than 40 applicants have registered for the program, demonstrating significant interest from the local business community in adopting new technologies. The initiative responds to the need for companies to integrate digital tools in order to optimize operations, reduce costs, and access new markets.

“We are encouraged by the growing interest of entrepreneurs from southern Moldova in digitalization. In the context of the Republic of Moldova’s European path, digital transformation is becoming an essential element for competitiveness, resilience, and access to external markets. Through the DT4SME project, we support practical and scalable initiatives that help SMEs align with the requirements of the European digital economy and achieve concrete and sustainable results,” said Niclas Rueffer, Project Director of Digital Transformation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in the Eastern Partnership Countries (DT4SME), GIZ.

Over the coming months, entrepreneurs will participate in 14 thematic workshops covering topics such as e-commerce, social media marketing, process automation (CRM), digital finance, and artificial intelligence.

“The launch of the Business Digital Start program for entrepreneurs from Leova and Cantemir marks an important step in supporting the digitalization of the local business environment. The first session demonstrated the strong interest of participants — courageous, open-minded people eager to grow, who constantly seek better solutions to create value. We are pleased by the engagement and openness of the entrepreneurs, as well as by the valuable contribution of the experts,” said Ludmila Noni, Project Manager of Business Digital Start.

At the end of the program, three pilot companies will benefit from the full implementation of customized digital solutions. Their results will be documented and disseminated as best practice models.

“I enrolled in the Business Digital Start course to develop my entrepreneurial skills and digitalize my business. A good entrepreneur must invest in themselves, because the greatest investment is the one made in personal and professional development. You cannot achieve success by managing sales using traditional methods — you must meet market requirements. And today, the market requires business digitalization,” said Anastasia Volînschi, founder of I.I. ‘Volînschi Anastasia’ and director of ‘AV Boutique’, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist.

Through this initiative, Inotek Centre strengthens its role in accelerating digital transformation and entrepreneurship in southern Moldova, building on the experience gained from previous successful projects. By the end of the program in June 2026, at least 70% of participants are expected to report improved digital skills and measurable business results.

“Learning and discipline are the most powerful tools for success in business. I enrolled because I had been looking for such a course, but the prices on the market are too high for me. The information provided through this project helps me understand how to apply these tools in my field. My expectation is that by the end of the program I will clearly know what steps to take next and will no longer feel uncertain,” said Olga Cazacu, mentor in women’s weight management programs.

This activity is part of the “NextGen for Non-Tech SMEs” project, implemented by the Inotek Centre and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH within the project ”Digital Transformation of Small and Medium Enterprises in the Eastern Partnership Countries” (DT4SME)

About INOTEK

INOTEK – EU Innovation Centre Cahul is an innovation and technology center in the southern region, managed by the INOTEK Foundation, established in November 2023. The centre promotes the digital economy in southern Moldova and strengthens connections between the private sector, public institutions, and educational organizations in order to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship. INOTEK supports startups by providing access to resources, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities, helping them prepare for investment. The centre also supports STEM education and helps reduce the gap between labor market demands and available skills.