Тhe investment potential of Bulgaria and the SEE region - South East Innovators Challenge

🌐 At the South East Innovators Challenge, our Policy and Strategy Director Alexander Nutsov, together with Pavel Lisev (CEO of Fund of Funds in Bulgaria) and Pavlina Yanakieva (CEO of Future Unicorns Accelerator) discussed the investment potential of Bulgaria and the SEE region.

During the discussion, Alexander highlighted key advantages that make our region a compelling investment destination:

⚡ A growing, well-connected, and innovative startup ecosystem

⚡ Skilled Workforce

⚡ Access to the European single market

⚡ Strong collaboration between corporations and startups, with standout examples like the IBM Sofia AI Accelerator.

However, he also noted some ongoing challenges:

❌ Political instability, with Bulgaria undergoing its seventh early parliamentary election in just three years

❌ Fragmented national markets, which can limit scaling opportunities

What is our perspective on the necessary steps for improving Bulgaria's investment potential?

• At the National Level:

💡 Establishing mechanisms to stimulate angel investments, which would support startups in securing early funding

💡 Facilitating easier access for pension funds to invest in venture capital and alternative funds, thereby strengthening local capital flows to startups

• At the European Level:

🇪🇺 Together with over 20 European startup and business associations, BESCO has co-signed the 28th Regime proposal. This proposal advocates for a new EU-wide status that supports young and innovative companies by providing a harmonized set of rights and procedures.

🇪🇺 Such a unified framework would empower these companies to fully access and benefit from the single market, strengthening Europe’s ability to compete globally, especially with the U.S. and China.

Through these actions, BESCO is dedicated to making Bulgaria and the SEE region a leading destination for innovation and investment.

*picture: Kristiana Kuneva (moderator of the event)