CHIȘINĂU, Moldova, May 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Startup Moldova Summit 2026 showcased Moldova's growing position as a startup destination for capital, talent and EU market access, bringing over 2,000 participants, 150 startups, 60 speakers and international investors to Chișinău for the largest edition of the country's flagship startup event to date.
Organised by Startup Moldova, the Summit announced new international partnerships with Unicorn Factory Lisbon, the Ukrainian Startup Fund and SeedBlink, strengthening Moldova's links to European acceleration programmes, angel investor networks and cross-border innovation opportunities.
At the official opening, Olga Melniciuc, CEO of Startup Moldova, highlighted the ecosystem's rapid progress:
"Moldova's ecosystem has grown to over 300 companies, expanding by 20% year over year. In 2025 alone, startups generated over $60 million in revenue, created over 1,500 jobs, and attracted over $17 million in investment, demonstrating that startups are becoming a real driver of the country's economic growth. TThe theme of the Summit — 'Born in Moldova. Built for the World.' — reflects the ambitiousness of our founders, who are building companies designed to compete globally from day one."
Strategic partnerships announced during the Summit will expand Moldova's startup connectivity. Through signed memorandums Unicorn Factory Lisbon and Startup Moldova will support Moldovan startups in accessing international acceleration programmes and scaling opportunities on EU markets.
Moldova Innovation Technology Park (MITP), Startup Moldova and the Ukrainian Startup Fund partnership will facilitate cross-border cooperation, access to funding and integration into the European innovation landscape.
SeedBlink and Startup Moldova announced the launch of the crowdinvesting platform allowing Moldovan startups to raise capital through syndicated investment rounds and connect with European angel investor networks.
Sergiu Rabii, Director of the Innovate Moldova Programme, funded by Sweden and the United Kingdom, emphasised the importance of these collaborations:
"These partnerships show that Moldova's startup ecosystem is becoming more connected and internationally relevant. By improving access to capital, expertise and markets, Sweden and the United Kingdom are helping Moldovan founders scale faster and build companies with global potential."
Moldova's broader business environment is also becoming more attractive for technology companies and founders. MITP offers a 7% flat tax for eligible IT and digital activities. The country is advancing digital nomad and remote work frameworks, preparing a Fund of Funds to expand access to venture and equity capital, and developing Moldova HiTech Park as a future platform for deeptech, R&D and advanced technology industries. Investments in contactless business, e-governance and digital public infrastructure, including the EVO government app, are simplifying public and business-facing services.
The Delegation of the European Union in Chișinău reiterated its support for strengthening Moldova's innovation ecosystem and connecting it to European opportunities. Julien Schmitt, Director of the EU4Innovation East programme, noted:
"Startup Moldova Summit 2026 reflects the continued progress of Moldova's entrepreneurial ecosystem. For the second consecutive year, the European Union, through EU4Innovation East, is proud to support this platform that connects founders, investors and international markets. As the number of startups in Moldova grows, so does the need for stronger support structures and access to capital."
The Summit also featured a Startup Alley where 42 startups showcased their products, and the national final of the Startup World Cup pitching competition. Ten startups pitched to a jury composed of international investors. Prompted AI won and will represent Moldova at the Global Final in San Francisco, competing for the $1M prize. LyricFluent and Argus AI secured second and third place.
Startup Moldova Summit 2026 concluded with a clear message: Moldova is becoming a notable destination for startup investment and global innovation, giving founders improved access to capital, expertise and markets, while offering international partners a fast-developing innovation ecosystem close to the European Union.
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Startup Moldova Summit 2026 spotlights Moldova's rise as a startup gateway to European markets
HONG KONG, Oct. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Yum China Holdings, Inc. (the "Company" or "Yum China") (NYSE: YUMC and HKEX: 9987) today announced the recent opening of Lavazza's fifth store in Hong Kong. Since opening its first store in Central last November, Lavazza has expanded to five stores in Hong Kong in less than a year and plans to double its presence to around 10 stores in the coming months.
Allegra Armitano, Chief Marketing Officer of the Lavazza-Yum China joint venture, said: "Hong Kong is a mature and dynamic coffee market where consumers place a high value on quality, flavor, and brand experience — all of which are central to Lavazza's identity as an iconic Italian coffee brand founded in Turin in 1895. Since opening our first store in Hong Kong, we've been encouraged by the market response. We are excited to introduce our signature Buffalo Milk Latte to Hong Kong and look forward to broadening our offerings for local coffee lovers."
Lavazza's five Hong Kong stores are located primarily in premium office towers and shopping destinations in Central and Causeway Bay. Designed with elegant Italian-inspired interiors, the stores are intended to offer Hong Kong consumers a high-quality coffee experience that fits naturally into the rhythm of urban life.
Among them, the fifth Hong Kong store at Cheung Kong Center II features a Lavazza Carmencita moka pot installation. Designed for Lavazza in 1979 by renowned Italian designer Marco Zanuso, the Carmencita is distinguished by its iconic conical shape and heat-resistant handle. Over the years, it has remained one of Lavazza's most recognizable design symbols.
Introducing Buffalo Milk Latte in Hong Kong
Lavazza has introduced its signature Buffalo Milk Latte across all Hong Kong locations, becoming the first chain coffee brand in Hong Kong to offer buffalo milk drinks. As one of the brand's best-selling beverages in Mainland China — with 2025 sales exceeding 1.2 million cups — the drink brings a distinctive new offering to Hong Kong's coffee market with its naturally sweet, full-bodied flavor and added nutritional appeal.
The Buffalo Milk Latte is made with natural buffalo milk. Compared with regular milk, buffalo milk offers a richer dairy aroma and a naturally sweet, ice cream-like smoothness — without the need for added sugar. Blended with espresso crafted from Lavazza's premium coffee beans, it delivers a rich, velvety mouthfeel that highlights the beans' distinctive flavor notes.
The Buffalo Milk Latte will be available both hot and iced, offering customers a choice between a chilled, refreshing drink and a warm, comforting cup.
Set to Debut Liquid Tiramisu
In addition to the Buffalo Milk Latte, Lavazza's Hong Kong stores offer a wide range of freshly prepared beverages, from classics such as Espresso and Cappuccino to innovative creations like the Sicilian Pistachio Oat Milk Latte, Apple Juice Americano and Orange Juice Americano, all available with a selection of Lavazza premium coffee beans. Desserts, sandwiches and baked goods are also offered.
In the coming months, Lavazza will launch two beverages. One is the Bicerin series, making a comeback this year after first appearing last Christmas season. A traditional hot drink from Turin, Italy, it is made with layers of espresso, cocoa, and cream for a rich and indulgent flavor. The other is Lavazza's much-loved Liquid Tiramisu, which will debut in its Hong Kong stores and bring the signature flavors of the classic Italian dessert into a drink with a creamy texture and rich, layered flavor. As the business continues to grow, Lavazza plans to further expand its Hong Kong menu to cater to a broader range of tastes.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements relating to future strategies, growth, business plans, restaurant expansion plans and operating profit targets, the expected benefits and impact of the acquisition of ownership of the Pizza Hut brand in Mainland China from Yum! Brands, Inc. (the "Transaction") and related financing (including plans for long-term financing), including expected license-fee savings, expected margin benefits, expected EPS accretion, and potential long-term value creation. We intend all forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and by the use of forward-looking words such as "expect," "expectation," "believe," "anticipate," "may," "could," "intend," "belief," "plan," "estimate," "target," "predict," "project," "likely," "will," "continue," "should," "forecast," "outlook," "commit" or similar terminology. These statements are based on current estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable under the circumstances, but there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's future strategies, growth, business plans, restaurant expansion plans, operating profit targets, the expected benefits and impact of the Transaction and related financing (including plans for long-term financing), including expected license-fee savings, expected margin benefits, expected EPS accretion, and potential long-term value creation. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by those statements. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations, estimates or assumptions will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this press release, and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. Numerous factors could cause our actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Transaction, including the risk that the transition of brand ownership disrupts operations; risks related to the availability, terms and cost of long-term debt financing to refinance the bridge loan, including interest rate and currency exchange fluctuations; transaction costs, tax and accounting treatment, changes in consumer demand or competitive conditions, failure to achieve anticipated license-fee savings, margin benefits, or EPS accretion; risks related to the ability to open new restaurants at the anticipated pace and achieve targeted payback periods; and risks that the Transaction may not result in the anticipated long-term value creation. In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial could affect the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. You should consult our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including the information set forth under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q) for additional detail about factors that could affect our financial and other results.
About Yum China Holdings, Inc.
Yum China is the largest restaurant company in China with a mission to make every life taste beautiful. The Company operates over 19,000 restaurants under six brands across over 2,700 cities in China. KFC and Pizza Hut are the leading brands in the quick-service and casual dining restaurant spaces in China, respectively. The Pizza Hut brand in Mainland China is owned by Yum China. In addition, Yum China has partnered with Lavazza to develop the Lavazza coffee concept in China. Little Sheep and Huang Ji Huang specialize in Chinese cuisine. Taco Bell offers innovative Mexican-inspired food. Yum China has a world-class, digitalized supply chain, which includes an extensive network of logistics centers nationwide and an in-house supply chain management system. Its strong digital capabilities and loyalty program enable the Company to reach customers faster and serve them better. Yum China is a Fortune 500 company with the vision to be the world's most innovative pioneer in the restaurant industry. For more information, please visit https://ir.yumchina.com/.
Contacts
Investor Relations Contact:
Tel: +86 21 2407 7556
IR@YumChina.com
Media Contact:
Tel: +86 21 2407 3824
Media@YumChina.com
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Lavazza Expands to Five Stores in Hong Kong and Launches Signature Buffalo Milk Latte
