On March 26, 2026, the Applied Research and Communications Fund participated in the first-of-its-kind Academy for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Agriculture. The event brought together entrepreneurs, experts, representatives of the public sector, and the scientific community, with the programme featuring training sessions, business project development, and presentations of innovative solutions in the agricultural sector.
ARC Fund’s team provided participants with practical knowledge and know-how regarding various opportunities for private, public, and hybrid financing. Key stages in the process of bringing innovative ideas to market were also presented, along with common challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises.
During the training, the SustainX model was introduced, which supports SMEs in preparing for financing and building organizational and entrepreneurial capacity. The model offers structured support through mentoring, specialized training, and assistance with the market implementation of project ideas.
The SustainX initiative comprises two main phases:
- Training and preparation of SMEs – this includes local and international training sessions, open calls, and opportunities to form partnerships;
- Project and supply chain development – at this stage, suitable enterprises are identified and small groups of SMEs are formed to develop and present their concepts.
Innovative initiatives related to the green and digital transitions are highly valued in the European Union—and very often, these two aspects of innovation go hand in hand. As part of the training, members of the RTIT>> project team were also invited to share their experiences as an example of best practice. Key points related to project funding and reporting were presented, along with opportunities and guidelines for forming effective project partnerships and consortia. The practices presented are in the context of the available tools and prerequisites for the transfer of technology, innovation, know-how, and knowledge. The representatives of the initiative likewise shared knowledge on:
- The applicability of ideas related to technological progress,
- Collaboration between private enterprises and the scientific community to ensure higher-quality results,
- Establishing regional and interregional partnerships to maximize the impact of innovative projects.
The European Digital Innovation Hub initiative was also presented during the Academy. With ARC Fund’s participation, Bulgaria’s AgroHub provides free services to enterprises in both the agricultural and other sectors, supporting them at all stages of their development through the “test before invest” approach.
Participants received additional information and practical guidance on project development and management, including:
- Securing funding,
- Reporting and monitoring,
- Creating an effective and sustainable budget.
The event highlighted the importance of collaboration between science, business, and the public sector as a key factor for sustainable development and innovation in agriculture.
