ICTEC project brings prestige and influences the tech sector and Moldova by directly contributing to the entrepreneurship ecosystem. In addition, ICTEC aims to improve the skills needed within the IT sector, thereby creating high quality and well-paid jobs, and deterring the emigration of talented young people. Tekwill encourages local startups and existing companies to expand and attract international IT companies to invest in Moldova, thus contributing to sector growth.

The goal of the project is to establish and operate a fully functional and sustainable Information and Communication Technology Excellence Center (ICTEC) in Moldova.  The activity will establish and manage a physical facility for the Center, provide for appropriate equipment and staff, and organize trainings and services to students and ICT sector workers related to information and communications technology (ICT).  Over 1,000 beneficiaries are expected to receive relevant training per year.  As a result of the project, the skills of the Moldovan work force and the ICT industry in Moldova will be improved.

The project will be implemented as a private-public partnership (though Global Development Alliances instrument (GDA)), among the Moldovan Government, private industry, academia and donors. The private partners include multinational companies, IBM and Microsoft, and also National Association of ICT Companies (ATIC) members that are local (operated) ICT companies.

MAJOR AREAS OF ACTIVITIES

Setting up and consolidate ictec as an institution

The first phase of the Center to become up and running consists of direct investments into the finishing of the building, defining the concept and set the directions of work.  A critical part of this project is the physical setup and technical endowment of the facility. All the proper planning, design and architecture to fit the requirement of the center, as well as infrastructure, laboratories, furniture and special equipment necessary for trainings, co-working spaces has been developed and implemented to serve training min 1000 beneficiaries per year.

Develop partnerships with private sector and government

Being considered as one of the biggest public private partnerships, the key success of the project is to ensure the proper involvement of all stakeholders into the process: Government and private partners. Among the private partners the main focus relates to the signatory of the memorandum of understanding Microsoft and IBM. Additionally, ATIC works on attracting new partners to contribute to Tekwill, either through physical setup support, or with content, such as telecom operators, ATIC members and non IT private partners.

Develop Capacity of ICT related workfoce

The purpose of this component is to ensure preparation of a more competitive workforce for the ICT industry and for any other industries where technology skills are critical or growing in demand. The primary aim of ICTEC is to train individuals in skill areas that allow them to be placed in ICT-related jobs or career tracks that lead to employment. Increased investment in training and workforce development is therefore essential for raising economic competitiveness, productivity and capacity for the ICT industry and overall technological progress in Moldova. The center develops its assistance programs with mentors, funding, linkages to potential investment and other type of support for the potential successful startup projects.

Encourage Entrepreneurship

ICTEC project ensures instigation of the entrepreneurship community and development of technology startups and products. Apart from delivering value to the ICT industry, startups have a direct impact on the cities they make their homes. Employment opportunities for youth increases and new employment patterns arise. Entrepreneurship will also give local youth new opportunities to pursue, and retain talent in country.

The Center plays an active role in defining and designing the proper IT entrepreneurship Ecosystem. It will serve as a meeting, idea sharing, and experience sharing platform connecting ideas to people and to financing. The first set of offerings are planned to be entrepreneurial education programs and events (such as hackathons encouraging innovative thinking and new product development), followed by business acceleration and funding programs. The Center assists the startups in attracting additional funding and exiting the country. Some of the activities provided include B2B meetings, startup events, advisory programs, interoperability labs, networking events, etc.

Expected results

• 1000 people yearly trained
• 20 assisted startups
• 3400 m2 of innovative space for ICT development
• 500 people receiving new or better employment as the result of the project

Acomplishments to date

During the first two years of the project, ICTEC has assisted 5312 people with better education opportunities, and over 4000 people in entrepreneurship activities, launching overall 78 own initiatives. From the moment Tekwill has opened its doors to the public, it became a major attraction point in Moldova, with more than 15,000 visitors in the first quarter, assisting teams that aimed to attract $610,000 in funding, and 70 companies to find new employees or upgrade their employees’ professional skills.