In a time of rapid technological change, young people are the ones who most naturally think in the direction of innovation, new solutions and new markets. Supporting youth entrepreneurship is not just a good initiative, but strategic for the country. This was said by the Minister of Innovation and Growth Irena Mladenova at the opening of Next Gen Entrepreneurs Day, part of the national competition “Best Youth Startup in Bulgaria – 2026“.
“Here I see young people who have ideas, talent, ambition and energy, who want to turn their dreams into real businesses“, she added. According to her, the joint organization of the competition between the Fund of Funds and Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" is an example of how education and tools for supporting entrepreneurship can work together. "Such partnerships are needed to transform entrepreneurial potential into real results. I believe in the benefits of financial instruments that have a disciplining but also a multiplying effect by achieving significant results. Our task as institutions, teachers and partners is not only to encourage young entrepreneurs, but also to provide a real environment for development," Mladenova said, noting that the state should not directly interfere in their decisions.
The minister encouraged young innovators not to give up on their dreams, to take risks and not to be afraid of failure, because their ideas matter. "Bulgaria needs young entrepreneurs. It needs people who do not wait for change, but create it. The Ministry of Innovation and Growth is your natural partner and we are doing everything necessary to work at the speed of business“, Mladenova concluded.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy Natalia Efremova, representatives of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, institutions, academia, students, entrepreneurs, participants in this year's competition “Best Youth Startup in Bulgaria“ and others.
The competition “Best Youth Startup in Bulgaria” is a springboard for young people in Bulgaria to successfully start their own business and aims to increase entrepreneurial and financial culture, including for generating and developing ideas, business planning, marketing, innovations, presenting to investors, etc. A valuable opportunity for all participants is the creation of business contacts with investors, entrepreneurs, scientific circles, and attracting like-minded people to the realization of ideas. So far, over 750 participants with over 500 ideas have gone through it, and some of them have also received investment for growth.