BFU Launches the Competition “Best Youth Startup in Bulgaria”

For the second consecutive year, Burgas Free University is among the academic partners of the Fund of Funds, together with Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, in organizing the national competition “Best Youth Startup in Bulgaria” (BYS).

The opening event in Burgas will take place on March 17 at 10:30 AM in Room 207 at BFU. On behalf of Dr. Eng. Dochka Vasileva, Head of the “Project Planning and Institutional Cooperation” Department at the Fund of Funds, and on behalf of the Rector of BSU, Prof. Dr. Milen Baltov, as a delegate in the European institutions, all pupils and students who are 18 or close to turning 18 are warmly invited to attend.

The competition will run until June 2026, with the application period open until April 24, 2026. Last year, the initiative was nominated among the Top 10 competitions in Europe promoting entrepreneurial skills at the European Enterprise Promotion Awards of the European Commission. In 2025, more than 260 teams participated, with young people from Sofia traditionally being the most active.

In addition, the Financial Instruments of the Fund of Funds under the “Education” Programme 2021–2027 (both debt and equity instruments) will be presented. These instruments aim to finance startups created by students and PhD candidates, supporting the development of entrepreneurial skills, self-employment, and a fast and focused transition from higher education to employment. There is also an opportunity for university lecturers to participate in the startups. A brief presentation of the Technology Transfer Fund will also be included.

Speakers at the BFU event will be Dochka Vasileva from the Fund of Funds and Ivaylo Ivanov, Director of Founders Institute Central & Eastern Europe.