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Sofia is becoming one of the best places to build a startup, but most of the early-stage entrepreneurs we speak to aren't aware of the local tech resources that are available to help them.

With applications for the Sofia Founder Institute now open, we're excited to release the first ever Sofia Startup Resource Guide, which is currently in Draft v1 below! It was developed by the Sofia Founder Institute and local leaders: Bozhidar Georgiev (CEO, Yatrus Analytics & Founder, Work & Share), Janet Todorova (Head of Expansion, Founder Institute), Milen Ivanov (Founder and CEO, CEO Angels Club), and Tatyana Mitkova (Co-founder and CEO, ClaimCompass).

This is just a draft, and while we spent many hours on this research, more input is needed. Please leave your comments on this collaborative Google document to help us complete the list. There are definitely omissions on this current version. 

Are you looking to build a startup in Sofia? Then apply to the Sofia Founder Institute today!

Text version included below, for ease of searching:

Sofia Startup Tools and Resources


There is no one right way to build a technology company, but for the sake of simplicity we have outlined a basic, common, sequential framework.

1. Idea Stage

This is where new entrepreneurs get inspired, learn best practices, develop skills, validate ideas, and begin to build their team and product.

A. Inspire

  • Sofia Startup Media: Centralized local information, listings, and news. (i.e. startup blogs/ publications/ lists/ FB groups/ newsletters)
    1. 150sec Sofia
    2. Bulgarian Startups
    3. Capital.bg
    4. Startup Digest Sofia
    5. Startup Europe News Sofia
    6. STARTUP NAVIGATOR
    7. Startupblink Sofia
    8. Startups.bg
    9. Techevents.bg
    10. TrendingTopics
                    • Inspirational Sofia Startup Events: Open, inclusive startup events that often focus on ideation. (i.e. Startup Weekend, idea fairs, and inspirational meetups)
                      1. Bulgaria Web Summit 2018
                      2. CEE BLOCK
                      3. DIGITAL|K 2018
                      4. Entrepreneurs Night Out
                      5. Innovation Explorer
                      6. Innovative Enterprise Week Sofia 2018
                      7. Innowave Summit
                      8. IoT Sofia
                      9. ISTA
                      10. Java2Days 2018
                      11. Questers Tech Meetups - Sofia
                      12. Sofia Blockchain
                      13. Sofia Crypto Meetup
                      14. Startup SAFARI
                      15. Startup Weekend Sofia
                      16. Tech Talks Sofia
                      17. WEBIT.FESTIVAL
                      18. Women Techmakers Sofia
                      19. Women Who Code Sofia

                    B. Educate

                    • Best Practices: Beginner knowledge-sharing tech events. (i.e. beginner events that serve to educate more than inspire).
                        1. <React.Sofia />
                        2. Agile Community @ Paysafe
                        3. Ansible Bulgaria
                        4. Azure User Group Bulgaria
                        5. Bulgaria Drupal User Group
                        6. Bulgaria PHP
                        7. Code Voyagers Sofia
                        8. Django Bulgaria
                        9. Elasticsearch Bulgaria User Group
                        10. Elixir Sofia
                        11. Golang Bulgaria
                        12. Hyperledger Sofia
                        13. Leanplum Tech Talks - Sofia
                        14. JS Talks
                        15. Skills Up by Smart Space
                        16. Sofia HashiCorp User Group
                        17. Sofia Kubernetes Group
                        18. Sofia Salesforce Developer Group
                        19. Sofia WordPress Meetup
                        20. SofiaJS
                        21. Startup Founder 101 Sofia
                        22. Startup Grind Sofia
                        23. SQLSaturday Sofia
                        24. tekom Bulgaria Meetup
                        25. User Experience (UX) Bulgaria
                        26. Zuhlke Sofia
                                                                        • Training & Feedback: Skill & Idea development events and startup bootcamps for entrepeneurs. (Includes comprehensive training programs, like Founder Institute, General Assembly, Lean Startup Machine, code camps, etc)
                                                                            1. #SwiftSofia Meetup
                                                                            2. Angular Sofia
                                                                            3. AWS Bulgaria User Group
                                                                            4. Blockchain Developers Meetup
                                                                            5. Bulgaria Cloud Meetup
                                                                            6. Bulgarian Agile Community
                                                                            7. Bulgarian BI & .NET User Group
                                                                            8. Bulgarian SQL&BI User Group "Lets' SQL Together!"
                                                                            9. C++ User Group Sofia
                                                                            10. DevTalks
                                                                            11. Docker Bulgaria
                                                                            12. Founder Institute
                                                                            13. GDG Sofia
                                                                            14. Global Azure Bootcamp 2019
                                                                            15. How to Raise Startup Funding in Sofia: Insights from Top Local Investors
                                                                            16. Kubernetes & Cloud Native Computing Bulgaria
                                                                            17. Lean Startup Machine Sofia
                                                                            18. Meteor Bulgaria
                                                                            19. Node.js
                                                                            20. OpenStack Bulgaria
                                                                            21. ProductTank Sofia
                                                                            22. Ruby Banitsa
                                                                            23. SharePoint User Group Bulgaria
                                                                            24. Sofia AI and Machine Learning Meetup
                                                                            25. Sofia Cloud Computing Users Group
                                                                            26. Sofia Internet of Things Meetup
                                                                            27. Sofia Startup: Idea to IPO
                                                                            28. Sofia Startup Ideation Bootcamp
                                                                            29. Startup Pitch Bootcamp: Learn How to Pitch from Top Entrepreneurs
                                                                            30. Uber Engineering Events - Sofia
                                                                            31. VMware Bulgaria

                                                                                                                                      C. Validate

                                                                                                                                      • Team Formation: Events for Finding Co-founders in Sofia.  (i.e. tech networking events or other resources that facilitate early-stage recruitment and cofounder matching)
                                                                                                                                          1. ABLE Bulgaria
                                                                                                                                          2. CoFoundersLab
                                                                                                                                          3. Endeavor Bulgaria
                                                                                                                                          4. Entrepreneurs Night Out
                                                                                                                                          5. Food Startups Meetup Sofia
                                                                                                                                          6. Founder Night Out
                                                                                                                                          7. Founder2be
                                                                                                                                          8. FounderDating
                                                                                                                                          9. FounderX
                                                                                                                                          10. MOVE.BG
                                                                                                                                          11. Silicon Drinkabout
                                                                                                                                          12. Sofia Business Networking
                                                                                                                                          13. Sofia Entrepreneurs Meetup
                                                                                                                                          14. Sofia Game Dev Meetup
                                                                                                                                          15. Startup Live Sofia
                                                                                                                                          16. STARTUP NAVIGATOR
                                                                                                                                          17. Youth Business Club
                                                                                                                                                                        • Build First Product: Hackathons & product events in Sofia.
                                                                                                                                                                            1. 1st Sports Hackathon
                                                                                                                                                                            2. adidas Hackathon 2018
                                                                                                                                                                            3. AngelHack Sofia Hackathon 2018
                                                                                                                                                                            4. Balkan Hackathon 2018
                                                                                                                                                                            5. Bulgaria Innovation Hackathon 2018
                                                                                                                                                                            6. Balkan Ruby
                                                                                                                                                                            7. Coffee and Code Sofia
                                                                                                                                                                            8. Dev.bg
                                                                                                                                                                            9. Hack4Health
                                                                                                                                                                            10. HackConf 2018
                                                                                                                                                                            11. init Lab
                                                                                                                                                                            12. Innovator CoWorking Space
                                                                                                                                                                            13. jPrime
                                                                                                                                                                            14. Lambda Dojo Sofia
                                                                                                                                                                            15. MusicTechBG
                                                                                                                                                                            16. NEXT BLOCK Conference Hackathon
                                                                                                                                                                            17. PAYSAFE HACKATHON 2018
                                                                                                                                                                            18. React-not-a-Conf

                                                                                                                                                                          2. Launch Stage

                                                                                                                                                                          In this stage, entrepreneurs establish and formalize the company, develop the product, get feedback from customers, and prepare for the next step.

                                                                                                                                                                          A. Start

                                                                                                                                                                          • Establish: Sofia law firms & banks for startups
                                                                                                                                                                              1. 1Legal
                                                                                                                                                                              2. Allianz Bank
                                                                                                                                                                              3. BNP Paribas
                                                                                                                                                                              4. Boyanov & Co.
                                                                                                                                                                              5. Bulgarian-American Credit Bank
                                                                                                                                                                              6. CasePro
                                                                                                                                                                              7. Central Cooperative Bank
                                                                                                                                                                              8. CIBANK
                                                                                                                                                                              9. Citibank
                                                                                                                                                                              10. Delchev & Partners
                                                                                                                                                                              11. DSK Bank
                                                                                                                                                                              12. Georgieva & Dzhutev
                                                                                                                                                                              13. ING
                                                                                                                                                                              14. Innovires Law Firm
                                                                                                                                                                              15. Investbank JSC
                                                                                                                                                                              16. IV & Co. Law Firm
                                                                                                                                                                              17. Kinstellar
                                                                                                                                                                              18. Milanova & Partners Law Firm
                                                                                                                                                                              19. New Balkans Law Office
                                                                                                                                                                              20. Piraeus Bank
                                                                                                                                                                              21. ProCredit Bank
                                                                                                                                                                              22. Raiffeisenbank Bulgaria
                                                                                                                                                                              23. Schoenherr Attorneys at Law
                                                                                                                                                                              24. Todorov LLP
                                                                                                                                                                              25. UniCredit Bulbank
                                                                                                                                                                              26. United Bulgarian Bank
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Sofia Workspaces: Co-working and flexible workspaces for startups in Sofia.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. 1Hub Coworking Space
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. betahaus
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  3. Cherryz.Work
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  4. Coshare HIVE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  5. COSMOS Coworking Camp
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  6. Generator
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  7. hOUR SPACE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  8. Innovator CoWorking Space
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  9. Malkite 5
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  10. Mastilo Coworking
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  11. MOVE.BG Coworking
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  12. NETWORKING Premium Co-Working Space
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  13. NGO House
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  14. OvertAim Coworking Space
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  15. Puzl CowOrKing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  16. Sensei House
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  17. Smart Space
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  18. SOHO
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  19. Work & Share Coworking Space

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    B. Develop

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Formalize: Sofia accounting, development and HR tools for early-stage startups.  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Aidos Accounting Services
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. AVM Consulting Group
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        3. Balkan Invest
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        4. Creative Web Bulgaria
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        5. CuteRecruit
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        6. Despark
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        7. DigiMark
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        8. ECOVIS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        9. edge soft
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        10. FRS Bulgaria
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        11. Kreston BulMar
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        12. Melon
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        13. Sb Accounting & Consulting
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        14. StangaOne1
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        15. Whiz
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        16. Zara Consult
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Sofia Incubators: Groups that prepare companies for seed investment and provide advanced mentorship. (i.e. advanced knowledge sharing, later stage events and resources)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Campus X
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. CleanTech Bulgaria
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        3. Innovator CoWorking Space
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        4. Sofia Tech Park
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        5. Start It Smart

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              C. Launch

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Sofia Seed Accelerators: Seed funding mentor programs (Techstars-style programs that provide funding)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. CleanTech Bulgaria
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Innovation Accelerator Bulgaria
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Pitch & Demo Events: Tech events that showcase Sofia startups for investment.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. æternity Starfleet Demo Day
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. BETAPITCH Sofia
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    3. DigitalK Startup Competition 2018

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      3. Growth Stage

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Here, a startup proves their utility, receives recognition, and scales up. This usually requires funding, angels, VCs, and ways to connect them to startups.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      A. Recognition

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Sofia Investor Networking:  Events and groups that connect professional investors with founders.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Bulgarian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. CEO Angels Club 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          3. Eastern Europe Tech Tour
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          4. EBAN Sofia 2018
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          5. Investor's Summit
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          6. Sofia Startup Expo
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          7. StartUP Bulgaria
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Major Media: Mainstream local business press that often showcase local startups.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. 24 Chasa
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Balkan Insight
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        3. Banker
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        4. Capital
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        5. Dnes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        6. Dneven Trud
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        7. Dnevnik
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        8. Duma
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        9. Euronews
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        10. Monitor
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        11. SeeNews
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        12. Sofia News Agency
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        13. Standart
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        14. The Sofia Globe

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      B. Funding

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Sofia Angel Investors: Seed-stage investors and micro-vcs.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Bojil Velinov
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. George  Brashnarov
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          3. Milen Ivanov
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          4. Lyuben Belov
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          5. Martin Tonev
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          6. Max Gurvits
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          7. Nikolay Yarmov
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          8. Nedelcho Nedelchev
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          9. Petar Zografov
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          10. Stetozar Georgiev
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          11. Vassil Terziev
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          12. Viktor Manev
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          13. Vladimir Stantchev
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Sofia Venture Capitalists: Series A and beyond
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. ARMADA Capital
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Brightcap Ventures
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    3. BlackPeak Capital
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    4. Eleven Ventures
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    5. Empower Capital
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    6. Entrea Capital
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    7. Innovation Accelerator
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    8. LAUNCHub Ventures
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    9. Morning Side Hill Fund
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    10. Neo Ventures
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    11. NEVEQ
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    12. PostScriptum Ventures
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    13. Rosslyn Capital Partners
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    14. VoiVoda

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  C. Growth

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Infrastructure: Office space, HR, local business insurance. (i.e. office space/ HR/ insurance providers for capital-rich companies to grow and scale)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. AIMS International
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Bulgarian Properties
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      3. CEO Search
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      4. Euroins Insurance Group
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      5. H-Vision
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      6. Horizons Bulgaria
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      7. HRS Bulgaria
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      8. ImpacT HR
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      9. Instant Offices
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      10. Instrade Insurance Broker
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      11. International Human Resources
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      12. Marins International Ltd
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      13. MIRELA
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      14. PFG Bulgaria
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      15. PSF
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      16. Raiffeisen Insurance Broker
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      17. Regus
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      18. SDI Broker
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      19. Sofia Offices
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      20. Wyser Search
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      21. ZBK BALKAN
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Expansion: Sofia Growth accelerators and consultants. (i.e. programs and business consultants for capital-rich companies to grow and scale)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. 180 Degrees Consulting
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Accenture
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                3. Advisea
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                4. Aon
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                5. Ardency Consulting
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                6. Deloitte
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                7. Ernst and Young
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                8. Frenus
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                9. Grant Thornton Bulgaria
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                10. KPMG
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                11. LOGO Market Research and Consulting Ltd.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                12. Next Consult
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                13. PwC

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      4. Sofia Startup Success Stories

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Successful homegrown companies that have raised significant institutional funding, employ a large workforce, or have achieved liquidity.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Bee Smart Technologies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. BlockEx
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        3. BG Menu
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        4. Cash Credit
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        5. ClaimCompass
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        6. ClouDNS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        7. Cloudpipes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        8. Content Insights
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        9. Connect.io
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        10. Dronamics
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        11. Dynamo SW
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        12. Enhancv
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        13. Escreo
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        14. Farmhopping
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        15. Farmia
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        16. FindMeCure
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        17. Gtmhub
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        18. HyperScience
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        19. Imagga
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        20. Imperia Online
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        21. Kanbanize
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        22. Leanplum
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        23. LegalTrek
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        24. LogSentinel
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        25. Metrilo
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        26. Noblehire
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        27. Payhawk
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        28. Playground Energy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        29. Quark VR
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        30. Remix Global
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        31. Reloyalty
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        32. Rhyme Softworks
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        33. Rifiniti
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        34. Software Group
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        35. Telerik
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        36. Transmetrics
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        37. Vayant



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Supporters


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                To facilitate the steps, every ecosystem needs strong supporters.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Sofia Tech Evangelists

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Successful local founders who lead the ecosystem & frequently mentor newbies.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Boyan S. Benev
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Denitsa Simeonova
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  3. Dobromir Ivanov
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  4. Evelina Prodanova
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  5. Iskren Krusteff
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  6. Ivan G. Ivanov
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  7. Ivo Hristov
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  8. Janet Todorova
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  9. Kalin Tsekov
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  10. Karina Karagaeva
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  11. Levent Korkmaz
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  12. Milen Ivanov
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  13. Milena Stoycheva
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  14. Milena Yankova
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  15. Natanail Stefanov
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  16. Nedelcho Nedelchev
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  17. Nikola Yanev
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  18. Paris Childress
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  19. Patritsiya Kostadinova
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  20. Petko Ruskov
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  21. Polina Georgieva
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  22. Rumen Iliev
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  23. Stephane Gantchev
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  24. Stoil Stoilov
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  25. Vessy (Vesselina) Tasheva
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  26. Viktor Minchev
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  27. Yassen Stanchev
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  28. Zhivko Todorov

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Sofia Government Startup Resources

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Public organizations that facilitate local economic development

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. British Bulgarian Business Association
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          3. Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          4. Bulgarian Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          5. Invest Bulgaria Agency
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          6. Ministry of Economy Republic of Bulgaria
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          7. Sofia Investment Agency
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          8. Sofia Tech Park

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        3. Talent

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Major local business or tech universities and employers that attract and retain local talent.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Local Sofia Tech Universities (universities with prominent technical or business programs)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. International Business School
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. National Academy of Arts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            3. New Bulgarian University
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            4. Sofia Business School
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            5. Sofia University
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            6. Technical University of Sofia
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            7. University of National and World Economy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            8. VUZF University

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Sofia Tech Employers (Major technical employers, like Microsoft or Google or large local companies, with large local offices)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. А1 Bulgaria
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Atos
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            3. Axway
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            4. Bulpros
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            5. Cisco
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            6. DELL
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            7. DXC Technology
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            8. Ericsson
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            9. EPAM
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            10. Hewlett Packard Enterprise
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            11. IBM
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            12. Interoute
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            13. Microsoft
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            14. Paysafe
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            15. Playtech
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            16. Progress
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            17. SAP
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            18. SkyScanner
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            19. SumUp
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            20. SoftServe
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            21. Telelink
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            22. Telenor
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            23. TELUS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            24. Uber
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            25. VIVACOM
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            26. VMware

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Learn more about the Startup Ecosystem Canvas here, and leave us your thoughts on the Sofia Canvas on this collaborative Google document (This is just a draft, and more input is needed!)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Are you looking to build a startup in Sofia? Then apply to the Sofia Founder Institute today

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