At the Technical University of Moldova, entrepreneurial innovation is more than a theoretical concept – it is a reality put into practice by our students. The third week of the interactive Entrepreneurship course, held at UTM using the Berkeley method, was dedicated to international business expansion, marketing strategies, and financial planning. Students from the “Software Engineering,” “Game Design,” and “Business Administration” programs continued working in interdisciplinary interactive teams, transforming their business ideas into concrete strategies with well-defined objectives.
The week began with the GATE 2 session, where teams were challenged to summarize the progress made so far, clarify the fit between the problem and the solution (“Problem-Solution Fit”), and analyze the market size for their business ideas. This exercise strengthened the students’ entrepreneurial vision, providing a solid foundation for defining market strategies.
Another working day focused on marketing and sales strategies. Students explored fundamental concepts such as B2B and B2C sales processes, product distribution channels, and the importance of marketing automation and using CRM systems to attract customers. This session was crucial in shaping the promotion and market positioning strategies for startups. With the motto “Financial Planning – The Key to Startup Success,” the last day was dedicated to financial planning. Students learned how to build detailed budgets, create profit and loss (P&L) statements, and apply financial strategies adapted to their chosen business model, whether it involves a physical product or a subscription-based service.
Students had the exceptional opportunity to interact with invited speakers, outstanding professionals in the field of startups and entrepreneurship, who provided practical insights into entrepreneurial challenges.
Tatiana MÎNDRILĂ, CEO and co-founder of Impact Academies & Camps, shared her experience in developing and scaling a network of IT academies for youth, highlighting the importance of adapting business strategies to different international markets and offering practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to expand their operations globally.
Andrei STAN, a doctoral researcher specializing in digital platforms and network effects, discussed the concept of “Network Effect Products,” highlighting strategies through which startups can create and leverage these effects to gain a competitive advantage in the market.
Corneliu MUNTEANU, manager of CDG Moldova and member of INSIGHT at VEO Worldwide Services, with extensive experience in strategic planning and financial reporting, discussed the challenges and opportunities encountered in expanding businesses into international markets.
Veronica COVALI, CEO and co-founder of Stilio, shared her experience in developing and implementing market entry strategies for her digital platform dedicated to salon management, emphasizing the importance of market research, understanding customer needs, and proper brand positioning to ensure a successful launch of new products and services.
Denis BRADU, CEO of Fintaxy, covered financial planning, highlighting the key steps in building a robust financial plan for startups, thus providing students with the tools necessary to plan and manage their financial resources effectively.
Cristian BESARAB, financial director at Bloomcoding, continued the discussion on financial plan development, focusing on the importance of monitoring financial performance and adjusting plans according to market developments, offering practical examples from his experience in IT and stressing the need for flexible and adaptable financial planning.
The participation of experts in this interactive course offered students a practical perspective on entrepreneurial challenges and strategies, reinforcing theoretical knowledge with real and relevant examples. The course enhanced the students’ skills, giving them the opportunity to interact directly with industry professionals, expand their networks, and receive valuable feedback. The atmosphere was vibrant, dominated by intense collaboration, idea exchange, and a strong desire to transform innovative concepts into successful businesses. The UTM team warmly thanks all the invited speakers for their valuable contributions and for their efforts in guiding young entrepreneurs toward success.
A new challenging phase follows: finalizing the financial plan and identifying funding sources for the future startup ideas developed by UTM students!
