The StartupBlink 2026 Global Startup Ecosystem Index, released this week, evaluates startup ecosystems in more than 1,500 cities and 100 countries.
We can highlight some of the results of the study for Moldova:
- Moldova moved up 8 positions to 82nd place in the global ranking, between Azerbaijan and Lebanon. This is the biggest growth at the country level in Europe this year.
- The country recorded 91.9% growth, the highest in Europe and the third highest in the world, signaling a strong recovery from last year’s 18.9% contraction.
- Chisinau entered the top 500 cities in the world in terms of startup development, rising 54 positions to rank 464th, showing a 58.3% growth, the third highest among cities. Despite ranking 31st in the overall Central and Eastern Europe ranking, Chisinau ranks 10th in the functional category “Interaction with Corporations”, surpassing its overall regional performance and demonstrating the active participation of corporations in startups.
The results of the ranking indicate the growing international prominence of Moldova’s startup and innovation ecosystem.
At the same time, Moldova ranks higher in the Business Environment Index for Innovators (64th), indicating that the favorable business environment has not yet fully reflected the ecosystem’s performance.
It should also be noted that Chisinau is the only Moldovan city included in the startup ranking, i.e. startup activity is fully concentrated in the capital. The development of additional startup hubs outside of Chisinau remains a key structural priority.
Moldova’s startup ecosystem has grown to over 300 companies, increasing by 20% annually. In 2025 alone, startups generated over $60 million in revenue, created over 1,500 jobs and attracted over $17 million in investment, demonstrating that startups are becoming a real engine of the country’s economic growth.
With attractive tax incentives, new infrastructure, cross-border partnerships and new financing instruments, Moldova offers startups clear opportunities for innovation, collaboration and access to global markets.
