By Pavlina Yanakieva | CEO/Executive Director
2024 Project Update
As we reflect on the past year, we are filled with gratitude for all that we’ve achieved and excitement for the opportunities ahead. Bulgaria Innovation Hub (BIH), through its rebranded initiative, The Future Unicorns Accelerator, continues to foster high-impact entrepreneurship and strengthen the bridge between the US and the Central and Eastern European (CEE/SEE) startup ecosystems.
This evolution reflects our commitment to inclusivity, broadening our reach to visionary founders across the CEE region and fostering deeper engagement with regional venture capital communities. By expanding our scope, we’ve built a platform that amplifies the voices and potential of founders across the region, connecting them with global networks and opportunities.
Recent Achievements and Milestones
Our strong roots in both ecosystems uniquely position us to nurture the next generation of unicorns from Central and Eastern Europe. Over the past year, we’ve showcased our expanded activities through several events and initiatives.
Key highlights include:
•Partnering with The Recursive’s Storytelling Studio and Breaking Grounds to connect with founders at events like How to Web (Bucharest), Bits & Pretzels (Munich), Web Summit (Lisbon), and Slush (Helsinki).
•Establishing partnerships with BSMEPA and Endeavor Greece to better understand entrepreneurs’ scaling challenges and share the benefits of our programs.
The Future Unicorns Accelerator is also driven by a robust mentor network of over 350 members, many from the CEE diaspora, offering diverse expertise to help founders scale globally.
Collaboration and Partnerships
Community partnerships remain a cornerstone of our mission to empower startups and foster regional growth. These alliances fuel innovation by bringing together diverse perspectives and resources.
We’re especially grateful for the support of the America for Bulgaria Foundation, whose shared vision of a thriving Bulgarian ecosystem amplifies our impact. Partnerships with organizations like BSMEPA, Appolica, and United Bulgarian Bank have been instrumental in expanding and introducing Future Unicorns to the community.
Our collaboration with over 50 strategic partners, including Endeavor, INSAIT, BESCO, BVCA, and leading media outlets like The Recursive, Capital.bg, and Bloomberg TV, has driven regional innovation and growth.
Program Alumni Success
Ampeco, a leader in EV charging management software, raised $26M in Series B funding in 2024. Led by Revaia with support from BMW i Ventures and others, the funding accelerates its expansion into North America and other markets.
Tiger Technology secured €2M in convertible debt financing in 2024, preparing for a €10M Series A round as it scales its hybrid cloud data management solutions globally.
Evrotrust raised €3.3M in 2024, supporting its expansion across Europe and cementing its leadership in secure digital identity solutions.
Pluria expanded its flexible workspace solutions into Latin America, addressing the growing demand for hybrid work environments in this fast-growing market.
Shkolo.bg was acquired by Juniper Education, a British ed-tech leader, showcasing the global potential of Bulgarian innovation. Its platform is scaling internationally to modernize school management.
Future Plans
Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of our next Future Unicorns Accelerator, running from March 31 to April 25, 2025. This program is designed to empower high-impact entrepreneurs with expert mentorship, a global network, and growth opportunities. We’re currently accepting applications and encourage visionary founders to apply via this link: Future Unicorns Accelerator Application.
To scale this vision, we invite donors, sponsors, mentors, and partners to join us: https://www.futureunicorns.io/. Your contributions—whether financial, strategic, or collaborative—are vital to strengthening our network and ensuring every startup can achieve its full potential. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected startup ecosystem in Eastern Europe.
By Pavlina Yanakieva | CEO/Executive Director
By Pavlina Yanakieva | CEO/Executive Director
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