Sofia Tech Park is a state-owned company working to boost innovation, research and technological development through various projects for which it creates partnerships with private and public institutions.
- 27 November 2015
The Sofia Tech Park will be the missing link in Bulgaria’s innovation ecosystem – it will create a bridge between business, academia, government, NGOs and society.
Foremost amongst these projects is the creation of Bulgaria's first science and technology park, which is set to host national, regional and global researchers and innovative companies, thereby showcasing and strengthening the knowledge economy of Bulgaria and the Balkans.
The park's main focus areas are information and communication technologies, life sciences and green energy. It should foster knowledge exchange between academia and business while supporting start-ups and innovative ideas, thus providing a catalyst for commercialisation of research and making Bulgarian science and entrepreneurship more competitive.
This complements Sofia Tech Park's overall aims of creating and managing a unique environment for innovation and supporting the marketing of new technologies, products and services.
Partnerships across sectors
For the development and management of the park, Sofia Tech Park has established partnerships with leading universities, the Bulgarian Academy of Science, business clusters, multinational companies, SMEs, local and national authorities, NGOs and other bodies. The Sofia Tech Park company is responsible for overall project development and additional activities such as marketing, financing, leasing and construction. Partner institutions will help to compile a common scientific equipment database, establish contacts and partnerships with third parties on topics of mutual interest and participate actively in Sofia Tech Park initiatives.
The park is to cover 40 000 m2 and include new and renovated building space. It will house fully-functional scientific infrastructure, applied research laboratories, an incubator, facilities for lectures, training, discussion and demonstration of new technology, and an interactive science centre, as well as car parking and green spaces for pedestrians.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Sofia Tech Park” is EUR 42 688 354, of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing EUR 36 285 101 from the Operational Programme “Development of the Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period.