Moldova Named Europe’s Fastest-Growing Startup Ecosystem, Climbing Eight Places in Global Ranking

Startup Moldova Foundation received an international award on behalf of Moldova’s startup ecosystem after the country was named Europe’s fastest-growing startup ecosystem at the Startup Ecosystem Awards 2026. According to StartupBlink, Moldova’s population-adjusted Global Startup Ecosystem Index score increased by 91.9% between the 2025 and 2026 editions, the highest growth rate in Europe and the third-highest worldwide.

The acceleration also translated into a significant improvement in Moldova’s international position. In the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026, Moldova climbed eight places to rank 82nd globally and 21st in Eastern Europe. Chișinău ranks 464th worldwide and 35th in Eastern Europe, placing the capital among the world’s top 500 startup cities.

StartupBlink describes Moldova as combining regulatory modernization, a founder-friendly business environment, EU-oriented reforms and a growing pool of technical talent. Its Global Startup Ecosystem Index evaluates ecosystems across three broad dimensions — startup quantity, ecosystem quality and the business environment — and in 2026 covers more than 1,500 cities and 120 countries.