The Big Data for Smart Society Institute (GATE) hosted a “Next Gen Entrepreneurs Day” forum aimed at guiding young entrepreneurs through the process of bringing innovative concepts to market. The event emphasized developing entrepreneurial skills, securing funding, and establishing a sustainable innovation ecosystem within Bulgaria. Organizational partners for the forum included SIS Credit, Fund of Funds, the Bulgarian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Sofia University, The Next Gen Speaks podcast, and Poland’s Microfinance Centre, with support from the European Commission and the European Investment Bank’s InvestEU programme as part of the Best Youth Startup in Bulgaria 2026 programme.
GATE Institute head Prof. Silvia Ilievas highlighted the institute’s growth, noting that after initiating plans seven years ago, GATE now comprises over 80 people and has completed more than 30 European projects. She cited the Horizon Europe project ExcellEnt as an example of connecting Bulgarian entrepreneurs with international ecosystems.
GATE continues to support clean technologies and sustainable mobility, and its technology entrepreneurship programme has supported over 60 Bulgarian startups in applying for funding for dual-use technologies since 2022, when it became a NATO test centre for big data and AI. Speakers addressed broader economic and social contexts. Andriana Sukova noted that across the EU, 4.3 million social organizations employ 11.5 million people, providing significant social benefits.
Regarding financing, she mentioned that guarantee instruments have already leveraged EUR 1.2 billion into an additional EUR 11.7 billion for social enterprises, supporting job creation. Irena Mladenova urged the development of a culture of risk-taking in Bulgaria. Alexander Nenkov stated that the Fourth Industrial Revolution presents an opportunity for Bulgaria to advance its young entrepreneurs.
Nataliya Efremova emphasized that entrepreneurship must integrate social responsibility, positioning young people as the primary force for societal transformation through innovation and civic engagement.
Topics: #entrepreneurs #forum #institute
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