What Simpals does

Simpals is a privately held Moldovan technology company headquartered in Chisinau that operates a multi-vertical portfolio of digital products built over 24 years. Its core digital properties include 999.md (the largest classifieds marketplace in Moldova), Stiri.md and Point.md (news and information portals), Achizitii.md (e-procurement for government acquisitions), Afisha.md (event listings), Map.md (mapping), and a cluster of government-facing platforms (ID.md, Votum.md, Studii.md). Beyond software, Simpals operates Sporter, a sports event platform that organizes the Chisinau Marathon, Night Runs, triathlons, Velohora, and WineRun, and produces proprietary hardware including SONR (underwater communication and music devices) and the Lobster freediving weight system. It has also created Onest, Moldova's official government typeface now distributed via Google Fonts.

The company makes money through a mix of revenue models: transaction fees and listing charges on 999.md, advertising across its news portals and B2B Numbers platform, subscription/contract revenue from government services (achizitii.md), event registration and sponsorship fees from Sporter, and hardware sales from SONR (including the recent expansion into China) and Lobster. Pricing is largely quote-based for B2B and enterprise, with self-serve pay-as-you-go models for classifieds and event registrations. Go-to-market is hybrid — direct sales teams for B2B and government (with a dedicated Chief B2G & B2B Officer), self-serve platforms for consumers, and event-driven community engagement through marathons and hackathons.

The business is bootstrapped with no disclosed external funding, operates at No.1 position in Moldovan Internet, mass media, and sports events, and claims 1M+ users, 110+ projects, and reach into 57 countries. Leadership includes Founder Dmitri Voloshin and CEO Roman Știrbu, with a full C-suite across product, technology, legal, HR, B2B, and network functions. Strategic focus areas include internationalization of hardware products, vertical expansion into renewable energy, and deepening institutional embedding through government and ecosystem partnerships.

Name

Simpals

Legal name

Simpals

Website

https://simpals.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Simpals is a Moldovan digital products company operating classifieds (999.md), news portals, government e-procurement, sports events, and proprietary hardware like SONR underwater communication devices, serving consumers, SMBs, and the Moldovan government from Chisinau.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chisinau

HQ country

Moldova

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 999.md Classifieds: The largest online classifieds marketplace in Moldova offering listings for goods, services, jobs, and real estate. Generates revenue through listing fees and advertising.
2. News Portals (stiri.md, point.md): Mass media platforms delivering news and information. Generates revenue through advertising.
3. Sporter Sports Events: Organizes major sporting events including Chisinau Marathon, Half Marathon, triathlons, running events. Revenue from event registrations and sponsorships.
4. SONR Hardware Products: Underwater communication and music devices sold globally to swimmers and freedivers. Revenue from hardware sales with international expansion into Chinese market.
5. Government Services (achizitii.md): E-procurement platform for transparent government acquisitions. Provides services to government institutions and businesses participating in tenders.
6. Advertising (Numbers B2B): B2B advertising services through Numbers platform, helping businesses gain visibility and reach customers.
7. Digital Products (Afisha, Map): Event ticketing/concert platform (Afisha) and mapping services generating revenue through service fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Simpals operates a diversified portfolio of digital platforms and products in Moldova and internationally. Its core offerings include the 999.md classifieds marketplace (jobs, real estate, goods, services), government e-procurement (Achizitii.md), news and information portals (Stiri.md, Point.md), and sports event platforms (Sporter, Marathon.md). The company also develops and sells proprietary hardware including SONR underwater communication devices and Lobster freediving weight systems, and has created the Onest typeface, the official government font of Moldova.

Product overview

Simpals is a Moldova-based technology company that operates a diverse portfolio of digital products and services. The core offerings include 999.md (the largest classifieds marketplace in Moldova), news platforms (Stiri.md, Point.md, Chronica.md), government services (Achizitii.md, ID.md, Votum.md), and sports platforms (Sporter organizing major events like Chisinau Marathon). The company also develops innovative hardware products including Sonr (underwater communication devices), Lobster (freediving equipment), and maintains creative studios (DJI, Aripi). Additional products include the Onest typeface (Moldova's official government font), entertainment platforms (Afisha.md, Play.md), B2B services (Numbers, Pay.md), and various startups (Factory, Garage). With over 110 projects and products serving 57 countries, Simpals operates across Internet, Media, Startups, Studio, Sport, Government, and Social categories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 999.md Classifieds Marketplace The largest online classifieds marketplace in Moldova, connecting users for buying, selling, and discovering services across jobs, real estate, vehicles, and general goods. Serves both individual consumers and businesses.
• Achizitii.md E-Procurement Platform Government e-procurement platform providing transparent public acquisition and tender management services for Moldovan government institutions and businesses participating in tenders.
• Stiri.md News Portal News media platform providing the latest news and information in Moldova. Generates revenue through advertising.
• Sporter Sports Event Platform Sports events platform organizing large-scale sporting events including Chisinau Marathon, triathlons, running races, and community fitness activities. Revenue from event registrations and sponsorships.
• SONR Underwater Communication Device Hardware device enabling real-time audio communication between swimmers and coaches underwater, plus Sonr Music for underwater music enjoyment. Sold globally including expansion to Chinese market.
• Lobster Freediving Weight System Proprietary weight system for freediving, recognized and used by athletes worldwide for 11 years.
• Onest Typeface Moldovan typeface designed by Dmitri Voloshin; now the official typeface of Moldova used on government institutions' websites. Available in nine styles supporting 416 languages on Google Fonts.
• Afisha.md Events Platform Entertainment and events platform for discovering concerts, activities, and city events in Moldova.
• Numbers B2B Advertising Platform B2B platform connecting businesses with advertising services and customer reach, with account managers and B2B hunters selling enterprise advertising packages.
• Factory Startup Accelerator Startup accelerator program supporting innovative tech ventures through development and mentorship.
• Map.md Mapping platform for Moldova providing geographic and location-based services.
• Simpals Energy Renewable energy operations including two photovoltaic parks, an EV charging station network, and a 15 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,000+ websites transitioned to Onest font within one month of Google launch
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova (CCI RM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2025Simpals became a member of the CCI RM, the largest business association in Moldova with over 100 years of tradition and 1,100+ members. This membership provides access to local and international business networks, visibility in international markets, and strengthens Simpals' role in the economic community. The partnership helps promote innovations like Lobster and SONR to new markets.
• Invitro Diagnostics Health NetworkminorOthers · 9 April 2025All Simpals employees receive a 15% discount on medical tests at Invitro Diagnostics. This partnership provides convenient access to quality healthcare services for Simpals employees.
• National Association of ICT Companies (ATIC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2024Dorian Doronceanu, Chief Legal Officer at Simpals, was re-elected as Chairman of ATIC's Legal Committee. ATIC is a non-profit organization that founded Startup Moldova. Simpals supports the ICT ecosystem through mentorship and participation in events.
• Startup MoldovacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2023Roman Știrbu, CEO of Simpals, joined the board of directors of Startup Moldova. This non-profit organization aims to accelerate Moldova's economic growth through startup and digital innovation ecosystem development. Simpals employees share experience and knowledge, act as mentors, and participate in summits and workshops.
• Triathlon Federation of the Republic of Moldova (FTRM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimpals has close collaboration with FTRM, providing continuous support for many years. Dmitri Voloșin, founder of Simpals, holds the position of president of the federation. This partnership enables triathlon events in Moldova and free participation for children in numerous events.
• ArtMasajminorOthersArtMasaj specialists provided back diagnostics and massages during Simpals' Back Health Week, held in a special room equipped in the office.
• Orange kITchenminorOthersTechstars Startup Weekend was hosted at Orange kITchen, bringing together young tech enthusiasts for 54 hours of collaborative innovation.
• ATICcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerATIC organized the HR & Recruitment 2025 Conference where Vanessa Coda, CHRO at Simpals, spoke on employee benefits and 1-to-1 communication. Simpals HR team attended to explore innovative solutions for managing distributed teams.
• IDEATION HackathonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRoman Știrbu, CEO of Simpals, served as mentor at the 2nd edition of IDEATION Hackathon. Participants worked on Smart Cities, health, networking, AI, and education projects.
• Deeptech GigaHackminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLidia Demeaniuc, Chief B2G & B2B Officer, was a mentor at Deeptech GigaHack, the largest hackathon in Moldova. The platform brought together tech experts to exchange experiences and solve complex challenges.
• MITP (Moldova IT Park)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMITP awarded SONR a special prize at Startup World Cup, providing additional contribution alongside Startup Moldova benefits. This helps SONR attend Web Summit in Lisbon.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Schibsted: Nordic media and online classifieds group combining news media (VG, Aftonbladet) with marketplace platforms (Finn.no, Blocket). Comparable to Simpals' combined media + marketplace portfolio model, though at much larger scale and in Western European markets.
• Allegro: Poland's leading e-commerce marketplace and one of Central Europe's largest internet companies. Comparable as a regional e-commerce/internet leader with a similar SMB-advertising and consumer-ecosystem model, though operating a transactional marketplace rather than classifieds.
• Adevinta: Norway-listed global classifieds holding (operating brands like leboncoin, Subito, Kijiji, Willhaben). Comparable as a multi-country classifieds-and-marketplace operator with advertising monetization, though serving more mature European markets.
• Prosus / Naspers: Global internet investor/operator with deep classifieds exposure (OLX, Avito, letgo). Comparable as the institutional capital and operating playbook behind large classifieds networks; serves as a relevant comparable for Simpals' strategic ambitions and exit benchmarks.

Others

• Techstars: Global accelerator in whose Startup Weekend Simpals' CEO actively mentors. Comparable as an ecosystem/acceleration partner relevant to Simpals' Factory and Garage startup programs rather than as a direct competitor.
• ATIC: Moldova's National Association of ICT Companies — Simpals' CLO chairs its Legal Committee. Relevant peer as the principal ICT industry body shaping Moldova's digital policy, comparable in role but not in commercial offering.

Regional players

• Kufar: Belarus's leading classifieds platform — a same-language, same-region peer to 999.md operating a similar horizontal marketplace in a post-Soviet market, useful for benchmarking unit economics and product scope.

Direct peers

• Kijiji: Canada's leading classifieds platform (Adevinta-owned), operating a horizontal marketplace with listings, jobs, real estate, and services — directly comparable to 999.md's product mix and SMB/consumer customer base.
• Avito: Russia's largest horizontal classifieds platform with a similar diversified revenue model (listings, advertising, jobs, real estate, auto). Highly comparable to 999.md as a dominant single-market classifieds leader with adjacent services in jobs and real estate.
• OLX Group: Global classifieds operator (owned by Prosus) running marketplace platforms across Eastern Europe, Latin America, and other emerging markets — directly comparable to Simpals' flagship 999.md classifieds business in terms of product, monetization (listing/transaction fees), and target audience of SMBs and consumers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/simpals
• Facebookfacebook.com/Simpals
• Instagraminstagram.com/simpals.md
• Xx.com/simpalsstudio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Simpals