“Innovation is about solving real problems with the right tools and people, not about size or location,” says Dmitrii Caraguta, the co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Dlab.md, a Moldovan digital testing lab in Cahul.
While most people move to big cities to chase their dreams, a small, focused team in Cahul is quietly redefining innovation, proving that cutting-edge digital solutions can be created anywhere. Even as the rest of the world is chasing scale and speed.
“Why move to Silicon Valley when you can build something excellent right here?” Caraguta mentions this in his serene garden,180 kilometers away from Chisinau. Here, Dmitrii Caraguta and his close-knit team create AI-powered tools that help businesses across Moldova and beyond thrive.
He and his old-time friend, Alexandr Balas, founded Dlab.md, a digital laboratory to test new digital trends, less than a year ago. With their team, they’ve already delivered over 50 projects, helping companies from small startups to global giants go digital, including Red Bull, British American Tobacco, Sunrise Communications, etc.
These two projects are among the team’s proudest achievements:they created a system for a local traditional grain mill that links workers and lets the manager track materials, production, sales, and cash flow. “Before, everything was counted on spreadsheets and notebooks,” Dmitrii explains. “We’ve brought transparency to their business.” They also built a platform for a Romanian robotics academy, Robbomaster. It helps them keep track of their customers, work, and also supports their online courses.
The pandemic brought him back home
From a small garden table under the branches of a tree, surrounded by blackberries and raspberries, the air is calm and peaceful. It’s a welcoming space, where ideas flow as naturally as the garden grows.
“We listen first,” Dmitrii shares his company’s secret to success. “We want to understand what really matters to our clients. Our job is to make their work easier, faster, smarter - with tech that feels like it was made just for them.”
The pandemic pushed Dmitrii back home from Bucharest, where he worked as a planning and reporting analyst for British American Tobacco. “Everyone started working remotely,” Dmitrii recalls. “For me, it was hard. I missed my friends and speaking to people in person.” After more than 13 years abroad - in the UK, Germany and Romania - he decided to return to Moldova to be close to family and friends.
Back in Cahul, Dmitrii’s curiosity quickly turned into action, even when conditions weren’t perfect. In March 2021, he used 3D modeling in his garage to repair a pair of broken glasses - a small but telling example of his drive to find practical solutions.
Together with his friend Alexandr Balas, he went further, experimenting with IT and manufacturing. Using a 3D printer, they produced spare parts for machines and equipment and even assembled their first computer-guided manufacturing tool. These early experiments laid the foundation for what would later become Digital Lab
Today, Dlab.md helps businesses work more efficiently with services like digital optimization, automation, CRM (customer relationship management) systems, software and hardware setup, implementing complex AI-driven tools, and technical support. “We first explore the best way to fix a problem, then put it into action”, says Dmitrii.
“Here in Moldova, we try to make the business flow more comfortable for the owner.”
As a small team, they can’t handle too many clients at once, he explains. “If we spent 200 euros on marketing, we might get 10 or 20 clients, but we simply don’t have the capacity.” This word-of-mouth approach helps keep their workload manageable and their connections genuine.
Dlab.md is committed to building relationships. “We usually attend summits and events to make ourselves known,” Dmitrii emphasizes. “When we get a client, we ask for referrals and offer small bonuses like free service hours.”
As Dmitrii puts it, curiosity is their main engine. But beyond curiosity, building real relationships is just as important. That’s why Dmitrii and his team regularly participate in tech events, workshops, and meetups organized by innovation hubs.
A tech bridge between the south and the capital
One of those hubs is the Cahul-based Inotek, the first innovation center of its kind in the city that is just a short drive from his home. Launched with support from the European Union and Sweden, under the “EU4Moldova: Startup City Cahul” project.
Inotek serves as a regional engine for innovation, digital transformation, and skill-building in southern Moldova. The hub provides co-working spaces, mentoring, training programs, and networking opportunities, connecting startups, students, IT companies, and local SMEs (small or medium businesses) to the broader Startup Moldova ecosystem. For Dmitrii Caraguta, it acts as a “people accelerator,” helping him and his team build networks, skills, and collaborations beyond the capital.
At Inotek, the space feels like a place still unfolding. Flags at the entrance hint at wider horizons, as Deputy Project Director Rodica Negru mentions:
“We provide education, skills training, and opportunities in ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and entrepreneurship - especially for youth, women, and rural communities. At Inotek, we believe in the power of innovation, collaboration, and community. Whether you are a student eager to explore new skills, an entrepreneur with a bold idea or an IT specialist looking to push technological boundaries, the hub is your launchpad.”
Looking ahead, Rodica sees a bright future:
“Over the next five years, Cahul is set to consolidate its role as a regional tech hub in southern Moldova, driven by a vibrant startup scene, a growing pool of IT specialists, and strong academic institutions. Its greatest strength lies in the people - talented professionals who choose to stay for the quality of life, supportive community, and the chance to grow locally.”
For Dmitrii, these connection-building spaces are vital to growth. But the Dlab.md team does not want to grow for growth’s sake, but rather, make their business more agile and efficient.
“Technology is always advancing,” Dmitrii says. “We strive to stay up to date with the latest trends. This isn’t just about Cahul, it is about all Moldova. With passion, curiosity, and community, we can build a digital future anywhere.”
Under the shade of a tree, surrounded by a quiet garden, this vision is already becoming reality - proving that true innovation comes from heart and dedication and not from location or size.
The creation of this article has been supported by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This story was written by Olga Cernea of the Journo Birds, a media team that works withnonprofits to tell human-centered stories. This story was supported by UMAEF and the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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