“We want Bulgaria to be not just a regional leader, but a European one.”
This was the common vision of the participants in “Dialogue Innovations.bg 2040.”
The second event in the “Dialogue Innovations.bg 2040” series was held on October 15, 2025, in Veliko Tarnovo. The forum brought together representatives of business, academia, public institutions, and the financial sector, united by a common goal—to build successful national policies for innovation and technology transfer in Europe.
The event focused on the development of regional innovation and technology hubs for growth in Bulgarian regions, with leading experts and representatives of institutions and companies involved in Bulgaria’s innovation ecosystem participating in the discussion:
- Natanail Stefanov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Sofia Tech Park
- Georgi Kosev, Senior Expert, Policy and Analysis Directorate, Ministry of Innovation and Growth
- Prof. Vanya Dimitrova, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
- Ruslan Stefanov, moderator of the discussion and coordinator of the Innovation.bg initiative at the Applied Research and Communications Fund.
During the discussion, the panel reached several key conclusions about the innovation ecosystem in Bulgaria:
- Scientific innovation plays a leading role – the greatest potential for development lies with scientists and researchers who seek to commercialize their scientific discoveries. It is in the laboratories of universities and scientific institutes that real innovation is born.
- The centralization of policies remains a factor – national policy remains focused on the digitization of services and will continue to develop in this direction.
- Bankruptcy is part of the entrepreneurial journey – it is important for Bulgaria to have mechanisms in place that make the process faster, easier, and less negative for entrepreneurs.
Regional potential must be activated – talent and opportunities are not concentrated only in the capital. Regional development and support for young entrepreneurs throughout the country are key to sustainable growth.
The event concluded with a presentation of the activities and contributions of partner organizations Sofia Tech Park and JA Bulgaria to the development of innovation and entrepreneurship in Bulgaria.
