What to expect at TechVillage?

Traian Chivriga
Sep 9, 2018 · 4 min read

TechVillage is around the corner. The event that will connect founders and investors will kick off on Tuesday, 11 September 4pm in Butuceni. TechVillage is at first edition. We are pleased with how it went so far. We got a boost of confidence when we secured backing from several partners as Western NIS Enterprise Fund, Wine of Moldova, USAID and Government of Sweden. Registrations followed next. Investors from 8 countries and 21 founders will attend the event. You can see the list of participants here. The team worked relentlessly for 3 months to make it happen. We even joked that it looks more like organizing a traditional Moldovan wedding rather than a typical business event. Nevertheless, we looked closely at every detail, associated risk and we can say for sure that we are ready. TechVillage will be the most international matchmaking events between investors and startup founders that ever happened in Moldova.

We created a list of what to expect from this edition of TechVillage:

The Agenda is all about networking

First, upon arrival, the guests will be split into groups. Each group will start a village quest. The guests will be able to network and to get familiar with the unique landscape of Butuceni. The quest will end with a traditional Moldovan feast. While networking, the guests will taste a “Colac”, dance a “hora” dance and listen to “Doina” under a cherry tree. The day will end with a fireside story session. Participants will be asked to talk about their failures so that everyone can learn from each other. After the first day, everyone will know each other.

The second day will start with 1-minute power pitches. The pitches will do a good recap of the previous day. The program follows with 2 sessions of speed dating and office hours. We will allocate 3 hours to factual business talks. The day will continue with a tour of the biggest wine cellar in the world. The day will end with a farewell dinner at the Stone Age Restaurant. The guests will have the opportunity to discuss any soft commitments for future business partnerships. The third day will culminate with a prize offering session.

Living in a Village for 3 days

Our participants will be hosted around Butuceni. There are 5 villas that we rented for the event. Every participant will be accommodated in a private room with all necessary amnesties.

A closer look at a room we prepared for participants. Copyright: virtualtur.md

Unfortunately the weather forecast shows rains in the first and second days. Our participants will have to wear some rainy clothes during the event. We organized some extra pairs of shoes and rain clothes just in case.

Left: My sneakers after half a day walking through the village. Right: Rain can never offset the good mood.

Traditional Moldovan Food is delicious. It’s based on meat, fish, vegetables, cereals, and cheese. Moldovan food incorporated elements from Greek, Turkish, Russian, Ukrainian, Gagauzian, and Bulgarian cuisines. Our guests will try Sarmale (cabbage leaves or peppers, stuffed with seasoned rice, mixed with chopped peppers, carrots and a few other vegetables, then baked in oil for a few hours), Placinte(pies usually stuffed with cheese, potatoes, cabbage or apples), Zeama(light and flavorful soup, made with a chicken broth, noodles, vegetables and a whole chicken) and Mamaliga (cornbread dish served with grated brinza (salty, homemade cheese) and meat or fish).

Left: Two lovely ladies cooking tasty dishes for visitors. Right: Moldovan Borscht

All about nature

Nature in Butuceni is grand. Here is a sneak peak:

Two shots made with my iphone at 6am in the morning.

See you there! For those who are interested in following live our event please search for #techvillage hashtag on facebook or instagram.

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The event is organized by Seed Forum Moldova (IHUB Chisinau) with the support of Moldovan Association of Information and Communications Technology Companies (ATIC), United States Agency for International Development / USAID Moldova and the Government of Sweden / Embassy of Sweden in Chisinau as part of the Information and Communication Technology Excellence Center (ICTEC) Project, Tekwill, Western NIS Enterprise Fund, Wine Making and Viticulture Office (ONVV) and XY Partners.

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