The Green Tech Incubator, an impact lab designed to transform theoretical green ideas into startups ready for the real market, has announced its winners. The incubator was organized with the support of the “Enabling an inclusive green transition in the Republic of Moldova” project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP Moldova.

From combating plastic pollution to efficient waste management, the incubator provided innovators in Chișinău and across the regions (including Bălți, Cahul, and Comrat) with the strategic resources needed to commercially validate their prototypes, thereby avoiding wasted time and resources. A record number of 112 applications from across the country were submitted to the program, and during the sessions, 12 teams were formed that managed to qualify for the grand finale.

Throughout the 13 intense weeks, the programme’s finalists went through five thematic stages, successfully validating their green business concepts and preparing their presentations for investors. Participants received ongoing guidance from five dedicated mentors, who collectively provided over 100 hours of personalized counseling. In the final round, the teams demonstrated not only entrepreneurial resilience but also a deep commitment to addressing sustainable development challenges in Moldova.

“This incubator has changed our perspective on sustainability, redefining the trajectory of a brand born in Moldova. We need to maintain a global focus, looking beyond immediate results. We could feel the heartfelt and thoughtful involvement at every stage, and this kind of sincere support makes a real difference on an entrepreneurial journey,” said Diana Bargan, a 38-year-old participant.

The grand finale, Demo Day, concluded with the awarding of prizes to four visionary projects that redefine green innovation and impressed the jury with their potential for impact:

• First Place – Team THALOSS (prize of 40,000 MDL): Development of an autonomous catamaran powered by solar panels. A smart biotech solution that cleans, oxygenates, and continuously monitors water quality in ponds and aquatic basins;
• Second Place – TESLARI Team (prize of 20,000 MDL): Production of premium, locally grown vegan leather from mycelium—a 100% biodegradable alternative to animal or synthetic leather, designed for eco-fashion studios;
• Third Place – FIORAPACK Team (10,000 MDL prize): The creation of biodegradable and flexible food packaging made from agri-food byproducts, specifically designed to eliminate single-use plastic from bakeries and the HoReCa sector;
• Special Mention – QLO Team: Development of a smart “refill-first” system with permanent, closed-loop aluminum dispensers, designed to substantially reduce the use of plastic containers.

By facilitating access to an advanced pre-acceleration programme, the initiative aims to nurture the next generation of leaders in eco-innovation. The ongoing support provided to the teams ensures that the ideas presented will not remain mere concepts but will evolve into scalable solutions capable of directly addressing the current climate challenges in the Republic of Moldova.

The Green Tech Incubator was organized in partnership with Glia Impact Hub.

The Green Tech Incubator will subsequently be transferred and integrated into the portfolio of activities of the Green Tech Hub,  recently established at the Technical University of Moldova with support from Sweden, the United Kingdom, the EU, and UNDP.

The European Union and UNDP are helping to create the necessary conditions for an inclusive and sustainable green transition by promoting circular economy approaches, extended producer responsibility, and improved air quality management.

At the same time, the EU and UNDP support community development by organizing hackathons, pre-acceleration programmes, and initiatives focused on developing green skills.