EIT Community Hub in Bulgaria
Connecting innovation in Bulgaria
Boosting the local innovation ecosystem in Bulgaria is key to accelerating economic progress, generating employment, and promoting sustainable growth. A dynamic environment for innovation encourages the development of cutting-edge technologies, products, and services, empowering Bulgarian companies to enhance their competitiveness on the international stage. Supporting the array of motivated local entrepreneurs and tech startups can also attract foreign capital and partnerships, driving long-term prosperity and investment. A vibrant innovation landscape helps build a future-ready workforce, fostering skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. This prepares individuals to thrive in an evolving economic climate while positioning Bulgaria as a centre for technology and innovation in the region.
About the EIT Community Hub
The EIT Community Hub in Bulgaria is committed to fostering innovation as a key driver of economic growth and societal progress. Bulgaria is home to a growing number of tech and innovative startups, and the Hub acts as a catalyst for these local innovators by providing essential support, resources, and networks that boost their global competitiveness and attract international investments. By cultivating a culture of collaboration and creativity, the Hub not only accelerates the success of the startup ecosystem but also aims to nurture a relationship between these new ideas and the existing ecosystem. In doing so, we can contribute to Bulgaria’s socio-economic development and establish its position as a dynamic player in the global tech landscape.
“We are excited to continue strengthening our cooperation with our partners in the EIT Community. Together we aim to expand opportunities for Bulgarian innovators, entrepreneurs and businesses. In this way, we aim to create new pathways for the seamless integration of talented people and businesses into the wider European innovation ecosystem, fostering sustainable change and competitiveness in Bulgaria.”
INA STOYANOVA, EIT COMMUNITY OFFICER BULGARIA, PROJECT COORDINATOR CLEANTECH BULGARIA
“As an EIT Community Officer, I am dedicated to expanding the powerful impact of the EIT Community across Bulgaria. My vision is to establish green entrepreneurship as the indispensable cornerstone of our national innovation ecosystem. The future demands that we move beyond traditional models; we must actively cultivate a new generation of purpose-driven founders who embed environmental sustainability and respect for nature at the very core of their business existence. By strengthening the vital connection between our academic research and market commercialization—an effort I have long championed—and by focusing our educational outreach on youth and regional development, we will ensure that Bulgarian innovation is both globally competitive and profoundly responsible, driving a sustainable and thriving future for all.”
VERA PETKANTCHIN, EIT COMMUNITY OFFICER BULGARIA
EIT Funding & Impact
Bulgaria, being an active participant in EIT initiatives, received a total of EUR 2,570,000 in EIT grants in 2022, EUR 1.32 million more than the funding received in 2021. This funding was directed to Bulgarian organisations via eight EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities in 2022 (six KICs were funded in 2021). The largest share (EUR 1 million each) was dedicated to higher education and business-related activities. The funding included EUR 1.27 million to support Bulgarian SMEs, with EIT Climate-KIC being the largest contributor.
About the EIT Community Officer
Cleantech Bulgaria and Junior Achievement Bulgaria, as the newly appointed EIT Community Officers, will jointly manage the operations of the EIT Community Hub Bulgaria. Their activities will focus on creating a foundation for an EIT Community in Bulgaria by conducting research, organising events, and signing memoranda of understanding with key stakeholders.
Ina Stoyanova
EIT Community Officer Bulgaria, Project Coordinator Cleantech Bulgaria
Ina Stoyanova is a senior expert at Cleantech Bulgaria with more than 8 years of experience in designing and managing innovation-driven projects, developing strategic partnerships and supporting the growth of entrepreneurial ecosystems.
She has been working on projects and/or holding coordination roles within the RIS Hubs supported by Cleantech Bulgaria of various KICs (EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Urban Mobility, EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing, EIT RawMaterials) over the past four years. She holds a degree in Web Science from Eindhoven University of Technology. Her work focuses on supporting startups and SMEs, fostering entrepreneurship and driving innovation deployment. Ina has played a key role in designing and implementing innovation support programmes, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and gender equality, including support for female entrepreneurs.
She has actively contributed to initiatives focused on promoting gender balance, developing and delivering dedicated training programmes, mentoring activities and networking opportunities for women innovators and women-led startups. She has collaborated with public and private sector stakeholders across Europe, delivering tailored support services for startups and scaleups. Her expertise also includes capacity building, stakeholder engagement and facilitating access to funding and market opportunities.
Vera Petkantchin
EIT Community Officer Bulgaria
Vera Petkantchin is an expert in education and green entrepreneurship with many years of experience at Junior Achievement (JA) Bulgaria, where she served as Chief Operating Officer for more than 10 years and is currently Head of Educational Content and Impact. She holds a degree in international relations from Bulgaria and sustainable development of mountain regions from Scotland.
She is the co-founder of The Edge, a subsidiary of JA Bulgaria, which focuses on bridging the gap between academic research and its commercialization. The Edge supports innovative research projects and aims to improve the competitiveness of companies through an open and revolutionary innovation paradigm, an approach to effective business start-ups, and a model for collaboration between universities and business. This model is in line with the EIT’s overall mission to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. Vera Petkantchin’s work with JA Bulgaria involves significant collaboration with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and its various Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs).
Vera Petkantchin has authored educational materials on green entrepreneurship (business that places respect for nature and environmental protection at the core of its existence) and has published research on the topic. She has created educational tools for young people and teachers that are used in Bulgaria. She advocates for early contact with nature to encourage a love for it, which in turn leads to responsible civic behavior. Over the years, Vera has played a key role in various civic initiatives for nature conservation and urban agriculture. She is currently a member of the board of the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation. In her role as Chief Operating Officer of JA Bulgaria, she announced plans for an educational center and coworking space in the countryside to train young people in green entrepreneurship and crafts and to inspire innovative models of rural entrepreneurship.
Contact Details
- Email: bulgaria@eitcommunity.eu
- Phone Ina Stoyanova: +359 887 056123
- Phone Vera Petkantchin: +359 887 309033
- Address: Knyaz Alexander Dondukov Blvd 54b, fl. 11000 Sofia, Bulgaria AND Krakra St 18, fl.1 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
- LinkedIn: EIT Community Hub Bulgaria
Success Stories
Discover inspiring success stories from the EIT Community Hub in Bulgaria, showcasing innovation and impact driven by collaboration and regional excellence.
Fixon: Young Innovators Empowered by Girls Go Circular Program
Three 11th-grade students, Raya Pamukova, Maria Metodieva, and Mila Getova from the National Science and Mathematics High School, achieved remarkable...
Upcoming Opportunities
Stay updated with the latest opportunities related to Bulgaria's innovation ecosystem and the activities of the EIT Community Hub.
