By Pavlina Yanakieva | CEO/Executive Director
Bulgaria Innovation Hub (BIH) continues to support and empower early-stage startups and entrepreneurs from Bulgaria and the CEE region, helping them expand and succeed in the US market. Our mission is to bridge the gap between the US and CEE startup ecosystems, providing guidance, mentorship, and valuable resources.
Recent Achievements and Milestones
- Rebranding and Expansion: BIH is transitioning to the #FutureUnicorns Accelerator, expanding our reach beyond Bulgaria to cover the entire CEE/SEE region. This rebranding is aimed at enhancing our impact and supporting even more high-potential startups.
- New Leadership in Sofia: To solidify our presence in the region and strengthen alumni and partner engagement, we have hired a new General Manager in Sofia, Bulgaria. This strategic move will deepen our relationships with key stakeholders and enhance our leadership in the local ecosystem.
- Founder Support: Since the begining of the year, we supported 9 new startups, providing them with mentorship, training, and strategic guidance in areas such as pitching, business development, and market entry strategies. We have now assisted over 150 founders in preparing for the US market.
- Building a Strong Mentor Network: We have expanded our global mentor network to include 350+ world-class serial entrepreneurs and top-tier investors from renowned firms like Sequoia, Graylock, USVP, SignalFire, Bain Capital, and others. This ensures that our participants receive unparalleled guidance and support.
- Alumni Engagement: BIH alumni continue to actively give back, serving as mentors and role models. We are proud to share that an increasing part of the alumni are supporting BIH’s sustainability and future growth through corporate and individual donations.
Collaboration and Partnerships
- In June we hosted a Summer Coomunity Talks event in Sofia, Bulgaria where we discussed the latest VC trends for early stage companies and the critical factors needed to fundraise successfully.
- We collaborated with several key partners, including America for Bulgaria Foundation, Endeavor, Teach for Bulgaria, BESCO, BVCA, Power of BG-The Bridge and others to foster a collaborative ecosystem that nurtures innovation and entrepreneurship.
Board Member Spotlight - Galina Antova Featured On The Cover Of Forbes Bulgaria
- Galina Antova is a prominent cybersecurity entrepreneur and executive who has advised and led growth strategies and large scale digital transformations for Fortune 500 customers. As well desereved recognition, she was featured on the cover of the July edition of Forbes Bulgaria.
- BIH Board members remain deeply involved in the startup ecosystem, providing mentorship and support to various organizations, reinforcing our commitment to building a thriving entrepreneurial community.
Future Plans
- Upcoming Events: BIH will be participating in various regional industry conferences to launch the new brand and expand our network and reach into the CEE region. As such we will attend the How to Web Conference in Bucharest as part of the Bulgarian Breaking Ground Delegation, then WebSummit in Lisbon and Slush in Helsinki, where we aim to connect with high-impact CEE founders, investors, and partners.
- Alumni Networking: We plan to organize end of year events in both Sofia and San Francisco to foster stronger connections between our alumni, diaspora, donors and partners, promoting closer networking and cross cultural collaboration.
We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from GlobalGiving and our partners, which enables us to continue our mission of empowering startups and driving innovation across the CEE region.
If you’d like to learn more about our work or get involved, please reach out or follow our journey on social media. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected startup ecosystem in Eastern Eaurope.
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