On June 6, 2025, Burgas once again became a national and regional stage for digital transformation through DIGIWeek Expo & Conference – a key event organized by the Southeast Digital Innovation Hub (DIGIHUB). The event brought together representatives from European networks, national and local institutions, technology companies, academic and innovation organizations from across Bulgaria.
DIGIWeek 2025 was inaugurated with inspiring messages from leading figures in the public and innovation sectors:
- Vesna Baltina, Deputy Mayor for “Strategic Development and Ecology, Digitalization and Adaptation to Climate Change”, Municipality of Burgas, emphasized the role of Burgas as an active participant in building a digital economy: “Our city continues to be a driver of transformation – with ambition, vision, and support for innovation.”
- Ruslan Stefanov, General Manager of ARC Consulting / ARCF, highlighted the importance of a networked approach: “When EDIH, EEN and clusters work together, we create a sustainable model for supporting business and growth.”
- Mihail Iliev, manager of the Association for Research and Development, Sofia Tech Park, announced joint steps between Sofia and Burgas: “Our partnership with DIGIHUB is a sign that we are working towards a united, strong national digital ecosystem.”
DIGIHUB expresses sincere gratitude to all official participants in the opening for their support and shared vision for the future.
DIGIHUB: Vision, Role, and Future
The event began with a keynote presentation by the team of the Southeast Digital Innovation Hub (DIGIHUB), outlining the main achievements, vision for the future, and the hub’s role in building a sustainable digital ecosystem in Southeast Bulgaria.
Key highlights:
- Petko Georgiev, Chairman of the Management Board of DIGIHUB – presented the history of the hub, international projects, and the strategic development framework;
- Ina Agafonova, member of the Management Board of DIGIHUB – introduced the EDIH DIGIHUB project and services for access to financing and consultations;
- Stoyan Nikolov, head of the laboratory complex – outlined the concept, technical capabilities, and upcoming equipment of the laboratories;
- Hristo Kovachev, “Sales – Public Sector” Manager – spoke about digital skills programs, training formats, and assessment and certification tools to be offered by EDIH DIGIHUB;
- Veselin Stoilov, “Business Development” Manager – presented the launching online platform DIGIHUB Digital Observatory & Marketplace, which will connect SMEs and public organizations with digitalization service providers.
The presentation emphasized DIGIHUB’s mission – to serve as a bridge between the local economy and the European innovation framework, providing real access to technology, expertise, and funding.
Sofia Tech Park and DIGIHUB: A New Strategic Partnership
Among the event’s highlights was the official announcement of the strategic partnership between DIGIHUB, EDIH Innovation Amp, and Sofia Tech Park. This collaboration aims to further connect digital innovation hubs in the country and facilitate business access to leading resources.
Sofia Tech Park now has an office in Burgas, and DIGIHUB has a representation in Sofia. This makes:
- the Discoverer supercomputer,
- the sixth-largest AI laboratory in Europe,
- and the entire laboratory complex of STP
available to clients and partners of DIGIHUB.
Enterprise Europe Network: Support for SMEs in an International Context
Plamen Ivanov, coordinator of the InnoForward project at ARC Consulting, presented the opportunities provided by the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) for small and medium enterprises in Bulgaria. In his presentation he highlighted:
- how EEN is the world’s largest support network for SMEs with international ambitions;
- that the network provides integrated support for innovation, internationalization, access to financing, and development of sustainable business models;
- the opportunities for SMEs to participate in European clusters, hubs, Horizon Europe, EIC and Digital Europe projects;
- the focus of the InnoForward consortium on digitalization, AI, green technologies, critical raw materials, and EU strategic autonomy;
- how EEN works in synergy with EDIH, to ensure seamless and coordinated support for SMEs.
The presentation gave a real insight into the international connectivity from which SMEs can benefit through local contact points like DIGIHUB and its partners.
Ministry of Innovation and Growth: Programs for Digitalization and Industry 4.0
Kamelia Proikova, state expert in the Directorate “European Funds for Competitiveness” at the Ministry of Innovation and Growth (MIG), presented in detail two key procedures under the “Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises” program (CIP):
- “Implementation of Industry 4.0 Technologies”
- with a total budget of over BGN 100 million, aimed at SMEs in less developed and transition regions;
- focus on IIoT, digital twins, simulations, artificial intelligence, robotics, cloud technologies, and automation;
- combining a grant with a guarantee instrument from EIF — an approach encouraging greater efficiency and sustainability.
- “Digitization of Enterprises”
- a lower-threshold procedure, suitable for micro and small enterprises, with support up to BGN 50,000;
- funding for implementation of ERP, CRM, online stores, cybersecurity solutions, and process optimization;
- aim: raising the level of digital maturity and readiness for Industry 4.0.
Proikova emphasized that access to these funds must be accompanied by high expert preparation, and that EDIH such as DIGIHUB can be key partners in diagnostics, consulting, and technology transfer.
Partnership with ICT Cluster Varna and Participation of Varna Companies
DIGIHUB expresses special thanks to the ICT Cluster Varna for excellent partnership. The Varna cluster was actively represented by:
- Emil Tsankov, Chairman of the Management Board of ICT Cluster Varna – moderator of the corporate panel presentations;
- Petar Topalov (SIS Technology AD) – presented AI solutions for the retail sector;
- Plamen Peev (Top Rent A Car) – demonstrated digitalization of operational processes;
- Todor Dobrev (TEMPUS.BG) – presented an AI kiosk for customer service.
Panel Presentations: From Innovations in Retail to Digital Identity
Industrial Innovations and Automation
- SIS Technology AD presented solutions for:
- self-service with AI recognition of products and faces;
- delivery forecasting and automatic order generation;
- electronic labels that update in real time and optimize maintenance.
- Speaker: Petar Topalov, CEO, member of the Management Board of ICT Cluster Varna.
- Top Rent A Car demonstrated how digitalization of the car handover process achieved higher efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Speaker: Plamen Peev, Operations Manager.
- TEMPUS.BG presented an intelligent AI kiosk for first customer contact, with voice and visual recognition, queue management, and routing to the appropriate service.
- Speaker: Todor Dobrev.
Human Capital, Education, and Digital Skills
- Telerik Academy (represented by Grisha Karanikolov – Director of Partnerships) is positioned as a trusted business partner in the Burgas region. The company provides opportunities for improving the skills and retraining of specialists through its 3-month Upskill programs, short online Sprint trainings and opportunities for personalized corporate training on current topics such as digital literacy, artificial intelligence, data work, digital marketing, etc. Additionally, Telerik Academy provides the IT sector in the region with free access to excellently prepared junior specialists who have gone through the Alpha program for IT career start and are fully ready to join a real work environment.
- AIBEST (with CEO Natalia Georgieva) presented the association’s efforts in:
- legislative changes supporting innovation;
- connecting business with educational institutions;
- initiatives like student hackathons, master’s programs, and market analysis.
Digital Administration, Identity, and Digital Transformation
- TBS Group demonstrated the Procivis platform, offering:
- digital identity, electronic signature, tourism services;
- compliant with eIDAS 2.0 and integration with local solutions like BurgasID;
- Speaker: Kiril Apostolov, Public Sector Sales Manager.
- The Burgas-based startup – EuribiaDigital impressed the audience with its vision for transforming business processes through personalized software solutions combining AI, HealthTech and IoT technologies. The startup demonstrated a practical approach to automation and digitalization, including solutions for customer management, production processes, inventory, and training, emphasizing cyber security and real‑time analytics.
Logistics and Artificial Intelligence
- StoreIT presented an AI‑based platform for smart warehouse management:
- automation, error minimization, predictive maintenance;
- compatibility with IoT systems and supply chain optimization solutions.
Financial Innovations
- Bulgarian‑American Credit Bank (BACB) presented “Chista Smetka”:
- a fee‑free checking account, with cashback, online opening, and digital management;
- an innovative banking product tailored to the needs of SMEs and digital workers.
Tour and Demonstration of DIGIHUB Offices and Laboratory Complex
As part of DIGIWeek Expo & Conference 2025, we organized a special tour and walkthrough of the new DIGIHUB headquarters and laboratory complex in Central Park, Burgas.
Guests had the opportunity to explore the new space housing the DIGIHUB team and the future Flex Compute and Smart City laboratories for digitalization of manufacturing processes and IoT, as well as the shared spaces and offices that already link the maritime and capital innovation scenes.
The tour concluded with a memorial photo on the terrace in front of the office, taken by drone – a symbol of DIGIHUB’s visionary spirit and openness to the community.
DIGIWeek Expo & Conference 2025 sent a clear signal: Southeast Bulgaria not only follows, but actively shapes its digital future. The unification of efforts between institutions, business, and educational structures, strategic partnerships with Sofia Tech Park and ICT Cluster Varna, as well as the engagement of European networks EDIH and EEN form the foundation for a sustainable digital ecosystem.
DIGIHUB thanks all speakers, partners, and participants for their trust, knowledge, and shared vision!
The event is co-financed by the EU under project No. 101052626 — InnoForward
