This edition marks 20 years of Bulgaria’s membership of the European Union. The most innovative Bulgarian companies will be honoured before an international audience at the 22nd National Innovation Forum.
Sofia, 30 September 2026 – The Applied Research and Communications Fund (ARC Fund) has opened applications for the 22nd edition of the ‘Innovative Enterprise of the Year’ National Competition, which this year marks the 20th anniversary of Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union. The competition is open to companies from all economic sectors and regions of the country that, over the past three years, have developed and implemented new or significantly improved products, services, technologies, processes or business models. The deadline for applications is 13 November 2026.
Who can apply?
Companies can showcase their innovations and the economic, technological or social impact they have achieved, regardless of their stage of development – from start-ups to established businesses with an international presence. Winners are granted the right to use the ‘Excellence in Innovation’ mark, which recognises companies with proven achievements, impact and effectiveness in the innovations they have developed and implemented. The competition is organised with the support of the European Commission, and to date over 150 Bulgarian companies have been recognised through it.
Companies can apply in eight categories:
- Market Leadership – for innovations with successful market application and the potential for an international breakthrough.
- Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation – for companies that use technology to transform business processes, services and entire sectors.
- Defence and Security – for innovations in dual-use products, security and societal resilience.
- Quality of Life – for solutions that contribute to people’s health and well-being.
- Energy and Climate – for technologies and business solutions related to energy sustainability and environmental protection.
- Creative industries – for innovative solutions in culture, design, media and the creative industries.
- Start-ups – for young companies with original solutions and the potential for rapid growth.
Management – for enterprises that are introducing innovations into their management and organisational models.
“Twenty years after Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union, the best Bulgarian companies are no longer simply catching up, but are creating technologies and solutions that are competitive on the European and global markets. The competition raises their profile amongst investors, partners and institutions both here and abroad,” commented Ruslan Stefanov of the Applied Research and Communications Fund.
National Innovation Forum
The winners will be announced and presented with their awards during the 22nd edition of the National Innovation Forum, which will take place on 26 January 2027 in Sofia. The forum will focus on the development of the Bulgarian innovation ecosystem and its place within the European Union. It will be held in conjunction with a key event organised by MIT REAP (a global programme of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the development of competitive regional innovation ecosystems), in which the Applied Research and Communications Fund also participates. The forum will thus bring together the Bulgarian innovation community with over 60 international leaders from the business, technology and investment sectors, academia and public institutions.
Innovation.bg Annual Report
The Innovation.bg Annual Report analyses the development of the Bulgarian innovation ecosystem and its potential. The new edition will place Bulgaria in a European and global context, focusing on technological competitiveness, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, sustainable innovation and technology transfer. The analysis draws on the international expertise of the Applied Research and Communications Fund, including its work with the Global Trade and Innovation Policy Alliance (GTIPA) and its involvement in European initiatives in the field of digital transformation, sustainable technologies and innovation ecosystems.
How to apply: the deadline is 13 November 2026, and the online form is available at Innovation.bg.
