Innovation made in TUM impresses Europe: 1st and 2nd places at EIA 2025

Against the historical backdrop of the Eternal City – as Rome is nicknamed – the innovation of the Technical University of Moldova shone, transforming the Italian capital into the scene of international consecration. Six outstanding young people from UTM achieved exceptional performances at the European Innovation Academy (EIA) 2025, the most prestigious entrepreneurial education program in Europe, attended by students from all over the world. The event took place between July 27 and August 15 at St. John’s University.

The six students who proudly represented the Technical University of Moldova are: Alex ALCAZ and Bianca-Cornelia COJOCARU (Business Administration, FIEB), Ruxanda VOVC and Cătălina DAVID (Information Technology, FCIM), along with Elena ROMAȘENCO and Maxim IACOVLEV (Software Engineering, FCIM). With bold ideas and high ambitions, they integrated into international teams, applying the knowledge acquired at the ICEBERG Bootcamp.

The program included validating business ideas, field research, applying the Skinny Business Model Canvas method, and defining clear value propositions. These sustained efforts brought them a unique experience, 6 internationally recognized university credits, as well as top awards, thus demonstrating the quality of TUM’s academic training.

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One of the most notable successes was the First Place, won by the Pactera team, which includes Alex ALCAZ, awarded with EUR 15,000 for business development. Another exceptional performance was the Second Place, which went to the Alatara team, with Elena ROMAȘENCO, awarded with EUR 10,000.

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The international distinctions did not stop there. The Cubelet team, with Ruxanda VOVC, received the Best Pitch Award, thus recognizing the superior quality of the presentation. Also, the Otto team, with Maxim IACOVLEV and Bianca-Cornelia COJOCARU, was honored with the Highest Mentor Feedback Award, an indicator of the excellent feedback received from the mentors, which emphasizes the professionalism and responsiveness of the students.

Moreover. Two student teams from TUM obtained international intellectual property scholarships: Calmia, with Cătălina DAVID, won the Patent Scholarship (10,000 EUR) to cover patenting costs, and Cubelet, with Ruxanda VOVC, received the Trademark Scholarship (5,000 EUR) to protect the brand. Both startups will benefit from free professional mentoring from the international firm Nixon Peabody LLP, with an estimated value of EUR 50,000 each, an essential support to accelerate their path to market. All financial awards will be reinvested in business development, thus confirming the pragmatic vision of the students.

Proud of the appreciation of the TUM students on this prestigious international stage, the rector of the Technical University of Moldova, corresponding member of the ASM, prof. univ., dr. hab. Viorel BOSTAN, a firm supporter of internationalization and education based on practical experiences, emphasized that these successes are proof of the fact that entrepreneurial education and international practical experiences transform students into formidable competitors at the highest level.

“At TUM, we cultivate the courage to dream and the competence to turn these dreams into reality. These young people have demonstrated that they can compete, win and innovate against the best young entrepreneurs in the world,” said the rector.

The success of our students is a direct result of the intense training provided by the ICEBERG Bootcamp program – a true launchpad for generations of innovators, the establishment of which at TUM we owe to valuable partnerships with renowned institutions, such as the University of California, Berkeley and the European Innovation Academy, as well as to the constant support from UMAEF, OTP Bank, Mixbook and Tekwill.

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Students had the opportunity to learn from internationally recognized inspirational mentors, under the guidance of Professor Rick RASMUSSEN (UC, Berkeley) and the TUM academic team – Associate Professor, Dr. Nina PUȚUNTEAN, Associate Professor, Dr. Rina ȚURCAN and Lecturer, Dr. Cristina DIACONU.

Special thanks are addressed to the EIA President, Alar KOLK, and the organizing team: Olga REILI – University Relations Manager, Andrea GAZZOLA – Head of Infrastructure & Technology, Jelisaveta OOL – Student Success Manager, for the generous scholarships, the continuous support and energy dedicated to the participants, but also to the team of internationally recognized inspirational mentors from whom the students had the chance to learn.

The students are grateful for the opportunity to live a unique international experience and for the valuable knowledge acquired, which gave them direct access to European best practices and a global innovation community.

TUM’s success at the European Innovation Academy 2025 confirms the university’s strategic vision: training a generation of entrepreneurs capable of innovating globally. We aim to return to this stage next year with new remarkable results, demonstrating a continuous rise.