More than 230 active start-up companies are already operating in Bulgaria, said Maria Gabriel

Bulgaria has long-standing traditions in education and science, a growing number of engineers and researchers, an actively growing startup ecosystem and venture capital funds. There are already more than 230 active start-up companies, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Gabriel indicated today in her video address to the participants in the 7th edition of the European forum for technologies and innovations Innowave Summit in Varna. The event is hosted by the Palace of Culture and Sports in the seaside city.

The progress of the Bulgarian technology industry is also recognized on a global scale, added Gabriel. She recalled that in September, during the second session of the strategic dialogue between Bulgaria and the USA, a common interest in promoting innovation and the introduction of effective management of new technologies was declared, and work was also being done on the signing of a memorandum on the development of innovation. In October, a joint declaration of strategic partnership was signed with the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, which will emphasize enhanced cooperation in the field of scientific research, innovation and education, Gabriel added.

For the current edition of the Innowave Summit in Varna, she commented that the theme of the event is to catch the wave of innovation, which makes the city a very suitable host. “It’s up to us whether we let the wave of innovation wash over us or whether we take advantage of the opportunities it offers,” Gabriel pointed out. According to her, Varna is an engine of technological progress, and the educational infrastructure, the intensive growth of the technological industry and tourism, the rich set of specialists, are a prerequisite for turning the city into a center of innovation. The Deputy Prime Minister also pointed out that Europe has competitive advantages in the field of education and science, in the development of talents and infrastructure and can become a global leader in the new wave of innovation.

Among the guests at the opening of the Innowave Summit today were the Deputy Regional Governor of Varna Antoaneta Petrova, the Mayor Blagomir Kotsev, representatives of the academic community. Within two days, the Innowave Summit gathers in the city leading international managers, innovators, thinkers and motivators from Europe, Bulgaria and the world. Among the highlights of the topics of the forum are leadership, the application of artificial intelligence, the future of the technology industry, trends in digital marketing.