The Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA), a member of the INSME network, played a prominent role during Startup Grind Global 2026, held in the heart of Silicon Valley. Happening from April 28 to 29, the three-day event hosted over 5,000 founders, investors, and builders to focus on AI scalability and early-stage fundraising. The event is one of the world’s leading gatherings for entrepreneurs, investors, accelerators and technology leaders, providing an important platform for fostering cross-border collaboration and showcasing European innovation on a global stage. BSMEPA’s strong presence helped reinforce Bulgaria’s growing position within the international innovation and startup ecosystem.
BSMEPA, in partnership with Future Unicorns Accelerator, provided the platform for Bulgarian innovative companies to present an array of technological solutions in areas including artificial intelligence, fintech, SaaS, digital healthcare and industrial technologies. The panel was officially opened by Dr. Boyko Takov, Executive Director of BSMEPA, who emphasized the significance of the international positioning of Bulgarian innovative companies and highlighted the crucial role of institutional support in enhancing their competitiveness. Thanks to him and the hard work of the organization, over 20 innovative companies from Bulgaria participated in the event, pitching their work to experts and investors from all over the world. Such a display of preparation, technological capacity and potential for successful development in global markets is positioning Bulgaria as an emerging hub for innovation, technology and high-growth startups within Europe.
BSMEPA’s strong footprint in the event is a great example of European SMEs’ ability to gain access to novel markets, collaborate strategically and share expertise with others in ways that support sustainable growth and innovation-driven economic development.
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