Why Moldova Is The “IT” Destination For Tech Businesses in 2026

Where in Europe can a tech business still scale efficiently in 2026, without burning capital, time, or talent?

Starting a tech business is no small feat. High energy costs, stringent regulatory burdens and skilled labour shortages have become familiar challenges for founders across the continent. For many founders, the joy of building something from the ground up is often eclipsed by compliance, cost control and uncertainty. 

Yet, what if I told you there was a place where these challenges are met with a solution? A place not in the EU but still deeply connected to European markets. Somewhere tech businesses can scale efficiently. That place is Moldova. 

Firstly, what is a tech hub? And why would you join one? 

​​To understand why Moldova is emerging as one of Europe’s most compelling tech destinations, it’s worth briefly revisiting what tech hubs promise and where many of them now fall short.

A tech hub is, at its core, a concentrated area, like a city or district, that fosters a high density of technology companies, startups and innovation-driven institutions. At their best, these hubs act like beehives: brimming with activity, collaboration and shared momentum, offering access to talent, capital, infrastructure and ideas that hold companies up. 

In Europe, there are approximately 50 high-growth hubs with the usual suspects making the top five: London, Berlin, Paris, Stockholm and Munich. Being a part of an ecosystem like this opens doors to networking opportunities, expertise and visibility. 

But there is a downside. 

High costs, burnout risk, high failure rates and lack of structure for startups. 

Founders today lose valuable time and capital navigating tax systems like Digital Services Tax (DST), Corporation Tax and Capital Gains Tax (CGT). After looking at these piling costs, you begin to understand why European startups are estimated to face 80-90 per cent long-term failure rates. 

For this reason, many are searching for somewhere new to set up shop. That place is Moldova. 

What is Moldova getting right that Europe’s bigger tech hubs aren’t? 

Now, Moldova may be the 20th smallest country in Europe, but it is rapidly becoming one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the region.

It has emerged as a serious alternative for founders looking to scale sustainably. Working in the Moldovan tech scene for seven years myself, I’ve seen how intentional policy, a skilled workforce and a distinctly Moldovan mindset have driven its growth first-hand. 

First of all, what Moldovans get right is their mindset.

Moldovan’s are ambitious, yes, but we are also deeply resourceful. If you look at our Founders, there is a practical determination that you notice immediately. If something doesn’t work, they adapt. If a door closes, they look for another way in. Companies founded within MITP carry that energy in everything they do, shown in their refusal to take “no” as a final answer, and a willingness to innovate, adjust and move forward. This is a mindset that rubs off on our international partners too! 

Secondly, MITP's policy is focused on one clear principle: simplify first, then scale up. At the centre of Moldova’s tech success is a stress-free tax and regulatory framework built specifically for technology companies operating within the Moldova Innovation Technology Park (MITP). Instead of navigating multiple overlapping taxes, MITP residents operate under a single 7 per cent tax on turnover. This replaces corporate income tax, payroll taxes, and social and health contributions, giving founders immediate clarity and measurable savings.

Even more importantly, this regime is guaranteed until 2035. In a world where tax rules shift with political cycles all the time, that kind of long-term predictability is rare to see and an invaluable asset to have for planning growth for businesses.

MITP itself is the power engine of Moldova’s tech ecosystem. What began as a fully digital, “virtual” park is now evolving into a physical one, a €200M project with hard implementation underway to support the ecosystem’s scale. Alongside this, Moldova has taken a significant step forward with the launch of its first national Fund of Funds, a government-backed investment designed to unlock venture capital, equity and alternative investment into the country’s most promising tech companies.

Today, MITP companies account for roughly 82 per cent of Moldova’s IT sector output, a clear indicator of how central the model has become to the country’s growth.

3. How Moldova’s booming IT sector is supercharging its entrepreneurs

Of course, favourable tax policy alone doesn’t build great companies - talent does.

Across Europe, access to skilled tech talent at scale has become a huge pain point for founders. Moldova approached this challenge head-on, designing a talent hub through MITP. A place where founders can prioritise long-term team stability, skills development and retention.

One example is Norm.create, a design and branding agency founded in 2021 by two young Moldovan designers, Radian and Rodian. From the outset, they grew their agency using AI to unlock creativity before most in 2022, standing firm in using it as a tool rather than replacing original thinking. 

Radian speaks openly about how MITP’s single 7 per cent tax regime and simplified rules have allowed the company to grow sustainably, investing in people and product, rather than being weighed down by overhead. It’s a clear example of what happens when founders are given space to experiment, take creative risks and scale without constant financial pressure. 

And this is reflected in the broader sector growth. Moldova’s IT sector turnover grew from €109 million in 2015 to €932.4 million in 2024. Since 2022, growth has stabilised at 12-15 per cent annually, which is a sign of expansion, ecosystem maturity and retention.

Fact is, short-term incentives don’t help businesses plan long-term growth. In a world defined by uncertainty, whether it be economic volatility, pandemics, or regional instability, you never quite know what will happen tomorrow. But in Moldova, founders can rely on a predictable framework, stable teams and rules that don’t change overnight.

So, what does this signal for Europe’s next competitive tech locations? 

With established tech ecosystems showing notable cons over pros, founders are starting to look elsewhere. The next wave of successful tech centres won’t win on just reputation. They’ll need predictability on their side, with evidence of a resilient environment for tech businesses to grow sustainability. And that’s exactly why, heading into 2026, it’s becoming one of the smartest places in Europe to build.