Let’s deep dive into what innovation is and what it means for distinctive industry representatives. The panel discussion will give you all those perspectives that illustrate what known and unknown potential we have thriving in Bulgaria and how we can leverage it even further for broader visibility

This panel will explore strategies and opportunities for company financing, focusing on equity financing and stock market listing as two key models. Featuring experts representing diverse businesses and investment approaches, the panel will provide insights into the real advantages and challenges companies face when choosing the path to growth through the capital market. One of the panelists will share experience from the perspective of a financial analyst and author of a startup guide, while the other two participants will contribute their experience as representatives of already-listed companies—one of which specializes in direct investments in other businesses.

The panel is aimed at startups and entrepreneurs seeking sustainable financing solutions, offering practical advice and insights for achieving long-term success through capital attraction.

Do you have global ambitions? Sooner or later, you'll fundraise from western investors. But you didn't study in Stanford, you don't have a sleek British accent, and the people you talk to are having difficulty pronouncing your name, let alone judging how good of a founder you'd be.

How would a first-time founder from Eastern Europe get this right? And are there any differences in perception or fulture that you must address?

In 2022, Zvezdin co-founded the ID verification startup Outdid.io, and after over 100 VC pitches which failed for all kinds of reasons, in 2023 they closed a $2.5M seed round led by a US and Singaporean VC, followed by around 20 angel investors. He would love to share his learnings of what did, and most importantly, didn't work, in the pursuit of helping more founders understand that they can, and will do, a lot more with the right preparation.

In this panel, leading figures from Bulgaria’s tech ecosystem will discuss the remarkable journey of #BreakingGrounds, an initiative that has propelled Bulgaria into the spotlight of the global innovation landscape. From startups to scale-ups, the panel will explore how Bulgarian companies gained visibility among 300,000 investors, innovators, and industry leaders in under a year. Join us as we uncover key success factors, the challenges faced, and the strategic initiatives that made this milestone possible.

Scaling Bulgarian businesses globally is not a mission impossible. Hear more about the future horizons the ecosystem offers and how you can cross the bridge for international success

Are you ready to scale your business, or are you hesitant about the next big leap? In this session, successful business owners will share their hard-earned lessons on scaling up, revealing what to do—and what to avoid—for long-term, sustainable growth. Learn how to overcome the challenges of scaling and ensure your business thrives at every stage.

Gain a founder’s perspective on venture capital and learn how to navigate the fundraising landscape. In this session, Krikor will share his journey - from initial friends-and-family rounds to Series A - along with the key elements of securing the right investors, crafting a compelling pitch, and understanding essential term sheet considerations. You’ll also explore the value of strategic relationships and the art of storytelling to make your venture stand out. Join us to deepen your understanding of the VC process and make informed, impactful choices in your fundraising efforts.

Let's deep dive into understanding why AI is gold in the current business dynamics and how technology can not only bring in more ideas, improvements and efficiencies, but also can change and boost our health conditions

Hear from successful entrepreneurs across various industries as they share their personal journeys and reveal the common strategies that helped them scale their businesses. Learn the key factors that drive sustainable growth and take your business to the next level.

Our international speakers are excited to join us and reveal some of the “mysteries” around what business investment looks like from regional perspective, what investors across the globe are mostly looking to see in a pitch or business proposal and how you can prepare to address those expectations more effectively next time you are up for an investor meeting.