ICEBERG Bootcamp 2025 continues to generate a wave of excitement at Tekwill, bringing together ambitious students, top-tier mentors, and international experts in an intensive program dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial spirit. Over three days, participants had the privilege of attending engaging and insightful presentations delivered by renowned speakers in key areas essential for the creation, launch, and development of a successful startup.
The sessions opened with Mihai Stipanov, a prominent figure in Moldova’s entrepreneurial landscape, founder and portfolio manager at Mozaic and founder of Dreamups. He kicked off the program by posing a fundamental question: “What makes a startup idea great, attractive to investors, and scalable?” Participants received tools to identify innovative ideas and transform them into viable projects that could attract investment and gain market traction.
An international perspective was provided by Rick Rasmussen, adjunct professor at the Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology at UC Berkeley, who gave two essential presentations: “Customer-Centered Design and Validating Customer Needs” and “Introduction to Go-to-Market Strategy.” Through real-world examples and core principles, Rasmussen highlighted the importance of deeply understanding the target user and crafting a well-defined market entry strategy.
His colleague from UC Berkeley, adjunct professor Gigi Wang, followed with a session titled “Investment Fundamentals: Key Metrics for Startup Success,” offering a clear overview of essential investment concepts and the metrics that signal the health and growth potential of a startup.
Cristina Modîrca, representing the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA), strengthened the connection to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem with her presentation “Support Tools for Businesses: Unlocking Opportunities for Young Entrepreneurs,” which detailed both financial and non-financial support mechanisms available in Moldova and opened new possibilities for aspiring founders.
Technological innovation and the impact of emerging paradigms were addressed by Alexei Panin, an IT entrepreneur with deep experience in payment technologies and expertise in DeFi and blockchain. His presentation, “Innovation in Value Capture,” explored how new technologies can reshape value chains and create fresh business opportunities.
A practical approach to market analysis was offered by Serghey Tkachenko, founder of Datalinie Business Engineering SRL. His session, “Competition Analysis and Market Sizing (TAM, SAM, SOM),” gave participants concrete tools to evaluate the potential of their target market and position their ventures effectively.
Essential communication skills for entrepreneurs were covered by Tanmay Vijaywargiya, coordinator of the Bootcamp’s student team. His session on “How to Deliver an Elevator Pitch” offered valuable advice on crafting a concise, compelling message capable of capturing attention and generating interest.
The financial dimension of startup success was explored by Irina Pohila, Head of the Digital Products Department at OTP Bank. Her presentation, “Funding Strategies for Startups,” provided a comprehensive overview of available funding sources and effective strategies to secure necessary capital.
Building a solid financial foundation was the focus of Cristian Besarab, CFO at Bloomcoding. His session on “Creating a Financial Plan” gave participants the tools to develop realistic, sustainable financial projections—essential for sound business management.
Global expansion, a common aspiration among entrepreneurs, was tackled by Corneliu Munteanu, CDG Moldova manager and INSIGHT member at VEO. His session, “Scaling a Business Globally,” shared practical experiences and strategies for taking a startup onto the international stage.
Legal matters vital to launching an IT startup were clarified by Marina Bzovîi, administrator of Moldova IT Park. Her presentation, “Legal Essentials for a Startup,” offered clarity on regulatory obligations and the steps required to navigate Moldova’s legal landscape effectively.
Beyond the presentations, participants had the chance to refine their practical skills during a full rehearsal of the final team pitches. Held in two parallel sessions, this phase allowed young entrepreneurs to test their ideas and receive constructive feedback from mentors.
The Technical University of Moldova extends its appreciation to all invited speakers for their professionalism, dedication, and generosity in sharing their knowledge. Thanks to their invaluable contributions, ICEBERG Bootcamp has become a truly transformative experience with a significant impact on the entrepreneurial future of Moldova.
ICEBERG Bootcamp 2025 powerfully demonstrates how passion, institutional support, and international expertise can turn bold dreams into tangible realities. Stay tuned—the final day and the announcement of the winning teams are just around the corner.
