Mini MBA program for entrepreneurs and tech founders
March / July 2026
The Mini MBA is a hands-on executive program built for ambitious professionals who want to gain practical and relevant business skills. Delivered by Startup Moldova, ASEM and Chisinau Business School, it uses Harvard-style case studies to turn real challenges into real leadership experience.
Fully accredited, the program awards a formal diploma and 10 transferable ECTS credits - offering participants practical executive skills with internationally recognized academic credentials.
Fully accredited, the program awards a formal diploma and 10 transferable ECTS credits - offering participants practical executive skills with internationally recognized academic credentials.
ABOUT
Minimum 80% attendance and successful final exam completion.
Attendance & Assessment Requirement
Official Certificate / Diploma
Issued upon meeting attendance and academic requirements.
10 In-Person Sessions
Case Materials in English
Provided digitally for all sessions
Minimum 3 hours each, case-based discussions
Learn and connect with fellow founders and leaders.
Executive-Level Networking
Access to Instructors & Mentors
Designed to fit around leadership roles
INFO
Moderators
Elena Ciochina
ASEM
Macar Stoianov
CFO at maib
George Teodorescu
Global Head of Risk & Compliance and Regional Director of Moldova at Mixbook
Sergiu Placinta
Director at Orange Systems
Carolina Bugaian
Moldcell
Olga Melniciuc
CEO at Startup Moldova
Vasile Granaci
Co-Founder & CRO at Glide Identity and Startup Advisor & Angel Investor
Vasile Tofan
Senior Partner at Horizon Capital
Cristian Ziliberberg
Principal at Arkhigos Intellect LLC and PhD Fellow at Aalborg University Business School
Vasile Tofan
Senior Partner at Horizon Capital
Macar Stoianov
CFO at maib
Olga Melniciuc
CEO at Startup Moldova
Sergiu Placinta
Director at Orange Systems
George Teodorescu
Global Head of Risk & Compliance and Regional Director of Moldova at Mixbook
Vasile Granaci
Co-Founder & CRO at Glide Identity and Startup Advisor & Angel Investor
Cristian Ziliberberg
Principal at Arkhigos Intellect LLC and PhD Fellow at Aalborg University Business School
Carolina Bugaian
CEO at Moldcell
Elena Ciochina
Project Manager at Asociatia Femeilor Antreprenoare din Moldova
Across 10 sessions, the program combines strategic management and leadership topics with real-world case discussions, helping founders and managers build practical, transferable business skills.
The Mini MBA agenda is designed in partnership with the ASEM and Chisinau Business School and follows the academic framework of the Master of Business Administration curriculum.
Agenda
Vasile
Tofan
Tofan
Horizon Capital
Mar 19
Understand how successful companies identify market opportunities, define their target customers, and design effective go-to-market strategies. Will explore how to position products, enter markets, and build sustainable demand.
CASE
Customers, Markets & Go-to-Market
ASEM
Apr 2
Elena Ciochina
Learn how leaders approach complex strategic decisions under uncertainty. This session explores frameworks and tools used to evaluate options, prioritize opportunities, and make sound business decisions.
CASE
Strategic Business Decisions
Arkhigos Intellect
Apr 16
Cristian Ziliberberg
Develop stronger analytical and critical thinking skills for leadership roles. Will examine how leaders process information, challenge assumptions, and make decisions in complex business environments.
CASE
Decision-Making & Critical Thinking in Leadership
Moldcell
Apr 30
Carolina Bugaian
Explore the role of self-awareness in effective leadership. The session focuses on understanding leadership styles, managing teams, and developing personal leadership capabilities.
CASE
Leadership and Self-Awareness for Managers
Glide Identity
May 14
Vasile Granaci
Discover how companies design growth strategies and build scalable sales models. Will analyze how businesses create value, expand markets, and drive long-term growth.
CASE
Growth Strategy, Sales & Value Creation
Orange Systems
Jun 25
Sergiu
Placinta
Placinta
Understand how emerging technologies are reshaping industries and business models. The session explores how leaders can leverage AI and digital tools to drive innovation, efficiency, and competitive advantage.
CASE
AI & Digital Transformation in Business
Startup Moldova
Jul 7
Olga
Melniciuc
Melniciuc
Analyze how startups and innovative companies design business models and attract investment. Will explore key elements of scalable business models and investor decision-making.
CASE
Business Models & Startup Investment
Mixbook
Jul 23
George
Teoderescu
Teoderescu
Understand the role of governance and legal structures in building sustainable organizations. The session covers board dynamics, compliance, risk management, and the legal frameworks that support business growth.
CASE
Corporate Governance & Legal Strategy
Vasile Tofan
Mar 19
Horizon Capital
CASE
Understand how successful companies identify market opportunities, define their target customers, and design effective go-to-market strategies. Will explore how to position products, enter markets, and build sustainable demand.
Customers, Markets & Go-to-Market
CASE
Elena
Ciochina
Ciochina
Learn how leaders approach complex strategic decisions under uncertainty. This session explores frameworks and tools used to evaluate options, prioritize opportunities, and make sound business decisions.
Apr 2
Strategic Business Decisions
ASEM
CASE
Develop stronger analytical and critical thinking skills for leadership roles. Will examine how leaders process information, challenge assumptions, and make decisions in complex business environments.
Decision-Making & Critical Thinking in Leadership
Cristian Ziliberberg
Apr 16
Arkhigos Intellect
CASE
Explore the role of self-awareness in effective leadership. The session focuses on understanding leadership styles, managing teams, and developing personal leadership capabilities.
Leadership and Self-Awareness for Managers
Carolina Bugaian
Apr 30
Moldcell
CASE
Discover how companies design growth strategies and build scalable sales models. Will analyze how businesses create value, expand markets, and drive long-term growth.
Growth Strategy, Sales & Value Creation
Vasile Granaci
May 14
Glide Identity
CASE
Understand how emerging technologies are reshaping industries and business models. The session explores how leaders can leverage AI and digital tools to drive innovation, efficiency, and competitive advantage.
AI & Digital Transformation in Business
Sergiu
Placinta
Placinta
Jun 25
Orange Systems
CASE
Analyze how startups and innovative companies design business models and attract investment. Will explore key elements of scalable business models and investor decision-making.
Business Models & Startup Investment
Olga Melniciuc
Jul 7
Startup Moldova
CASE
Understand the role of governance and legal structures in building sustainable organizations. The session covers board dynamics, compliance, risk management, and the legal frameworks that support business growth.
Corporate Governance & Legal Strategy
George Teodorescu
Jul 23
Mixbook
Unlock your leadership potential with this intensive 6-month Mini MBA program.
Leadership & strategic management focus
From self-awareness and decision-making to strategy, growth, and governance.
Top-tier moderators
Sessions facilitated by experienced business leaders, academics, and industry practitioners.
10 intensive, case-based sessions
In-depth discussions built around real business cases from leading global business schools.
5-months structured learning journey
Designed to fit alongside work while maintaining academic rigor and depth.
10 ECTS internationally recognised transferable credits
Earn academic credits upon successful completion of the program.
Accredited diploma
Official recognition of your participation and learning outcomes
Curated peer community
Learn and exchange with founders and managers facing similar challenges.
PRICE
€ 890
PRICE
€ 890
Unlock your leadership potential with this intensive 6-month Mini MBA program
Curiosity about life in all its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people.
Accredited diploma
Currated peer community
Official recognition of your participation and learning outcomes
10 ECTS internationally recognised
Learn and exchange with founders and managers facing similar challenges.
5 months of structured journey
Earn academic credits upon successful completion of the program.
Designed to fit alongside work while maintaining academic rigor and depth.
Top-tier moderators
Sessions facilitated by experienced business leaders, academics, and industry practitioners.
Leadership & strategic focus
From self-awareness and decision-making to strategy, growth, and governance.
10 intensive sessions
In-depth discussions built around real business cases from leading global business schools.
The Mini-MBA program leverages the Harvard Business Case Method, immersing participants in real-world challenges to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making skills. Through case analysis, peer collaboration, and expert insights, founders gain practical tools to navigate growth, innovation, and leadership in the startup ecosystem.
Tools & Tactics
10 ECTS Transferable Credits
Strategic Leadership Skills
Real-World Decision Making
High-Caliber Peer Network
Top-Tier Moderators
Case-Based Learning
ASEM Accredited Program
What is Mini MBA?
FAQ
The Mini MBA is a practice-driven business program designed for founders and managers who want to strengthen their leadership and strategic decision-making skills without committing to a full-time MBA.
Delivered through the Harvard-style case discussion method, the program is developed in alignment with the academic framework of the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM) and Chisinau Business School. Across 10 intensive sessions, participants work on real business dilemmas, engage in structured peer discussions, and build a strong foundation in leadership, strategy, finance, and growth — while earning 10 transferable ECTS credits upon completion.
Delivered through the Harvard-style case discussion method, the program is developed in alignment with the academic framework of the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM) and Chisinau Business School. Across 10 intensive sessions, participants work on real business dilemmas, engage in structured peer discussions, and build a strong foundation in leadership, strategy, finance, and growth — while earning 10 transferable ECTS credits upon completion.
Who is the course mainly designed for?
The Mini MBA is designed for startup founders and tech entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and middle- to senior-level managers in SMEs and growing organizations, as well as selected representatives from academia.
Participation requires a completed Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), as the program builds on prior academic and professional experience.
Participation requires a completed Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), as the program builds on prior academic and professional experience.
What are the admission and completion requirements?
Admission to the Mini MBA program requires a completed Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), advanced proficiency in English, and proven professional and leadership experience. Participants must also be able to commit a minimum of 10 hours per week for sessions, preparation, and case discussions.
For successful completion of the program and to receive the diploma, participants are required to attend at least 80% of the sessions, complete all assigned tasks, and successfully submit the final capstone project.
For successful completion of the program and to receive the diploma, participants are required to attend at least 80% of the sessions, complete all assigned tasks, and successfully submit the final capstone project.
What is the course duration?
The program consists of at least 10 offline classes, each 4 hours long, held once every 2-3 weeks over a 6-month period, offering an immersive and interactive learning experience based on HBS, MIT, and Stanford cases and articles, moderated by experienced business leaders and industry experts from Moldova and abroad.
Is the Mini MBA an accredited program?
Yes. The Mini MBA is developed in partnership with the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM) and is aligned with the academic framework of the Master of Business Administration curriculum.
Upon successful completion, participants earn 10 transferable ECTS credits, which can be recognized within relevant academic or professional learning pathways, subject to institutional policies.
Upon successful completion, participants earn 10 transferable ECTS credits, which can be recognized within relevant academic or professional learning pathways, subject to institutional policies.
Do I receive a certificate at the end of the program?
Yes. Upon successful completion of the Mini MBA program, participants receive an official Certificate of Completion, issued in English, in the legal name provided during registration.
The certificate confirms participation in the program and the completion of 10 ECTS transferable credits, aligned with the academic framework developed in partnership with ASEM.
The certificate confirms participation in the program and the completion of 10 ECTS transferable credits, aligned with the academic framework developed in partnership with ASEM.
About payment and cancellation
Participation in the Mini MBA program is confirmed upon full payment via invoice.
Please note that the participation fee is non-refundable, as places are limited and reserved in advance for each cohort.
In the unlikely event that the program is cancelled by the organizers, participants will be informed accordingly.
Please note that the participation fee is non-refundable, as places are limited and reserved in advance for each cohort.
In the unlikely event that the program is cancelled by the organizers, participants will be informed accordingly.
