Entrepreneurs and start-ups from southern Moldova established new partnerships with investors, consultants, and key players in the economic development ecosystem at the fourth edition of the Cahul Business Summit.
The event brought together over 200 participants eager to expand their networks, develop new skills, and grow their businesses. The most important regional event dedicated to entrepreneurship, innovation, and public-private collaboration in southern Moldova took place on June 11 at the “Nicolae Botgros” Palace of Culture in Cahul.

Organized by the Inotek Center, the summit gathered entrepreneurs, start-up founders, young professionals, investors, experts, representatives of local public authorities, and international partners under one roof.
“Places like Inotek are essential for the economic balance of the Republic of Moldova. We’re excited to see so much energy today in Cahul. The presence of so many entrepreneurs proves that the region has potential and is on the right track,” said Catarina Bjorlin Hansen, Head of the EBRD Office in Moldova.

This year’s edition focused on key topics such as business internationalization, women's leadership, digitalization of small and medium-sized enterprises, and sustainable urban development. According to Nicolae Mocanu, Administrator of the Inotek Foundation, the Cahul Business Summit is a platform that connects ideas, people, and investments to transform southern Moldova into an economic development hub.

Highlights of this year’s Cahul Business Summit:

• Five thematic panels featuring 21 speakers from Moldova and the region

• Over 200 participants, including local entrepreneurs, start-ups, public authorities, national and international organizations, tech companies, and freelancers

• An exhibition area dedicated to digital business solutions

• Networking sessions, fostering new partnerships and regional collaborations

“It’s essential to understand the market—both demand and supply—and the importance of collaboration between businesses and key institutions. The connection between innovation, business, and community needs must be real, not just declarative. At a business summit, more than anywhere else, we need to have pragmatic conversations about challenges and opportunities,” emphasized Nicolae Dandiș, Mayor of Cahul Municipality.

In the exhibition area, several companies showcased technologies and tools supporting entrepreneurship and business development. Among them were: Inotek, Holovision, Shape Robotics, Alidensia, Fagura, Agriscope, RTI, Robolex, Dlab, Moldcell, and HoReCa System.
“I came for the young members of my family who want to build their own business ideas. The discussions with bank representatives and entrepreneurs’ shared experiences were extremely valuable. They help you understand the journey, including both challenges and opportunities,” said Ana Cucu, an entrepreneur from Colibași village.

The energy of Cahul was also felt by international guests. For Markus Ihalainen, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Sweden in Moldova, it was inspiring to see how small and medium-sized businesses are taking shape and contributing to the transformation of their communities.
“Cahul has so much to offer: high-quality products, authentic hospitality, remarkable culture, and gastronomy. We hope these assets will become more visible on the European market, and that Moldovan-Swedish commercial cooperation will continue to grow.”

The event was strongly supported by its partners, who provide numerous business development opportunities with every edition.
“In Cahul alone, the 'EU4Moldova: Key Regions' program has supported over 50 companies, contributing to the creation of hundreds of jobs,” noted Alexandru Pelivan, a representative of UNDP Moldova.

The event demonstrated that southern Moldova holds great development potential and that joint initiatives like the Cahul Business Summit are vital to boosting the local economy.
The 2025 edition concluded with clear commitments to continue the dialogue and launch new projects to support the regional business community. Organizers have already started gathering ideas for Cahul Business Summit 2026. Participant feedback will shape the next edition. If you have something to share, you can do so through this form.

Launched in 2022, the Cahul Business Summit aims to stimulate the economic development of southern Moldova by offering a platform for dialogue, information-sharing, and connection within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The fourth edition of the Cahul Business Summit was organized by the Inotek Center with financial support from Sweden, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy through the Central European Initiative, the European Union, and UNDP Moldova, in partnership with Cahul Municipality and the “Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu” State University of Cahul.