This year, for the first time in its history, the Sevan Startup Summit 2025 welcomed a delegation of four Moldovan startups, marking a milestone in the country’s growing presence on the international innovation stage. Supported by the EU4Innovation East project, AIchat (Bravin), Gems Around, EatingAI, and OneSyncs joined hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors from over 50 countries at one of the region’s most dynamic startup gatherings.
Among them, one standout drew particular attention for its rapid evolution and cutting-edge solution: Bravin (aichat.md), an intelligent virtual assistant built to streamline and personalize customer communication for businesses.
Within just six days, the co-founders of the platform, Oleg and Lilia Chetrean have successfully advanced on their journey through mentorship, collaboration, and an intense exchange of knowledge – ultimately winning second place within the Booster Final Battle, the summit’s flagship competition.
“We are living proof of how much a startup can evolve in less than a week,” said co-founder Oleg Chetrean, reflecting on the experience. During the summit, the team received key guidance from four international mentors who provided daily feedback on everything from structuring a business pitch to effectively communicating the product’s value. ’’With clients, with investors, you pitch a product. Understanding the ways in which you can show its value is essential’’. Both founders embraced the opportunity, immersing themselves in every workshop, discussion, and networking event.
Their journey, however, began years before the summit.
Oleg launched his agency seven years ago, helping over 300 Moldovan businesses strengthen their online presence through SEO, advertising, and social media. Lilia, then working in the retail industry, was initially a client. Their professional relationship evolved into a shared mission when they identified a common challenge faced by many businesses: responding to client inquiries efficiently.
What began as a solution for their own needs soon morphed into something much bigger. They developed aichat.md, a platform that now serves as a fully automated virtual employee, capable of managing customer interactions across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, and company websites on a 24/7 schedule, without breaks or delays. Launched in 2024, the AI assistant sets itself apart by not only responding instantly but also understanding the unique style and tone of each business it serves. “While other solutions automate 60 to 70 percent of communication processes, our platform goes beyond 95% and, in some cases, it covers 100% of client interaction needs,” Lilia explained. “For some of our users, this tool has effectively replaced the need for a full-time employee.”
The local market responded with enthusiasm. Their first clients were among the early adopters – some even waited eagerly for the platform’s release. Despite minimal advertising, over 100 clients joined, largely through word-of-mouth and social media presence. The product’s global potential was clear from the outset: AIchat is already translated into eleven languages, and the team built it with scalability in mind.
Their participation in the Sevan Summit was initially motivated by a desire to learn, connect, and grow. What followed was an unexpected yet welcome victory in one the summit’s Booster Final Battle. “I couldn’t believe it,” Lilia said. “There were so many great teams. I am glad the judges saw the global potential and the traction we had already gained.”
A key lesson from the summit, she added, was the importance of storytelling: “It’s not just about the features. It’s about explaining your product through a narrative people can relate to, showing the story behind an innovative solution.”. This approach has also helped them refocus on their beginnings and ’’what really made us build this product’’, Lilia concluded.
Looking ahead, the founders are preparing to expand into Romania and other European markets by the end of the year. Their ambition is clear: to position AIchat as a global solution born in Moldova, with the power to revolutionize business communication across industries and borders.
For AIchat, the participation in the Sevan Startup Summit was a defining moment in their journey – one that may have set the stage for remarkable future achievements. Supporting the participation of local startups in such events is a core objective for EU4Innovation East project, providing startups with the opportunity to connect with global mentors, gain international exposure, and test their ideas in highly competitive environments while reinforcing its commitment to fostering cross-border collaboration and entrepreneurial growth.
