Webit 2025 Concludes with Powerful Energy and a New Wave of Inspiration

On June 26, Sofia once again played host to the global gathering of the future – Webit 2025, where more than 3,000 specially selected and invited leaders from business, government, science, media, and civil society, along with guests from around the world, came together to build bridges between technology, vision, and action. The event once again proved that Bulgaria is an active participant and leader in the global dialogue on innovation, sustainability, and the development of human potential.

The program featured inspiring talks and practical case studies presented by innovative companies and visionary leaders from around the globe. Representatives from Google, Qualcomm, Salesforce AI, Oracle, VISA, Accenture, and other global organizations shared how they are adapting their models to the new AI-driven realities, Web3, and the emerging ethics of leadership.

Topics discussed on stage ranged from the transformation of education and work to cybersecurity, sustainability, the future of health, and digital finance. The forum was not only a platform for ideas but also a space for solutions – real, applicable, and urgently needed.

Webit Changemakers 2025: The People Behind the Change

A powerful highlight of the event was the announcement of the winners of the Webit Changemakers 2025 initiative – purpose-driven individuals who, through courage, vision, and action, inspire and create real value.

Category: Innovation, Technology, Future

Top 3 as voted by the audience:

• Kamelia Mineva – CEO and Executive Board Member, ProCredit Bank
• Chavdar Kopoev – CEO of OddStorm.Company and CTO at FourA.Company
• Georgi Dimitrov – Chairman of the Board, Eurotrust Technologies AD
  

Category: Entrepreneurship and Investment

• Dobromir Ivanov – CEO of BESCO
• Andrey Bachvarov – Co-founder of Anthill and active AI investor
• Dimitar Dimitrov – CEO of Shelly Group
  

With a nearly equal number of votes: Vladimir Nikolov – Operational President, Fantastico Group

Category: Society, Education, Sustainability

• Teodor Tsvetkov – Three-time Guinness World Record holder and generational role model
• Svetlin Nakov – Co-founder of SoftUni and long-time innovator in tech education
• Hristo Shivachev – Head of the Pediatric Surgery Clinic at Pirogov University Hospital
  

Category: Media and Creative Industries

• Georgi Blazhev – Writer, TV host, and voice of the new generation
• Georgi Nenov – Creator of the podcast “The Superhuman with Georgi Nenov”
• Maria Ilieva – Artist, producer, and founder of Stereo Staya

The ninth annual meeting of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum with the diplomatic corps attracted ambassadors of more than 30 countries, managers of more than 45 companies and members of the government. Each year, the meeting is organized jointly with a diplomatic partner, this time it was the British Ambassador, H.E. Nathaniel Copsey.

Bulgaria as an investment destination

Bulgaria has a huge potential for investment and innovation. This became clear during the Annual Meeting of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF) with foreign ambassadors. It was held for the ninth consecutive year today at the InterContinental Hotel. The exclusive event traditionally brought together high-ranking representatives of the responsible business community, the diplomatic corps and the executive branch, with this year’s motto being “Bulgaria as an investment destination”, and the focus was on measures to attract, retain and support investors.

Official guests to the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum

Official guests were Minister of Justice Georgi Georgiev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Pavlov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Doncho Barbalov and Executive Director of the Bulgarian Investment Agency Mila Nenova.

The high-level event was attended by senior diplomats from more than 30 countries. The event also attracted top managers of more than 45 leading companies that are members and partners of BBFL.

The new Chairman of BBFL, Anton Panayotov, said at the opening: “As a community of responsible business, BBFL strives to provide opportunities for dialogue and for sharing contacts, experience and ideas for future cooperation. Our meeting today is a unique platform for communication and exchange of opinions, experience and recommendations between the private sector, the executive branch and representatives of the diplomatic corps, and at an important moment for the country – on the threshold of our accession to the eurozone, which would send a strong positive signal to investors.”

Important insights from the meeting

Levon Hampartzumyan, Vice-Chairman of the Forum, emphasized Bulgaria’s potential to participate in the reindustrialization process, which would provide an incentive for building a sustainable economy and a favorable social climate.

Maxim Behar, member of the BBLF Board of Directors and CEO of M3 Communications Group, who also moderated the discussion, pointed out that the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum has been aiming to encourage and promote opportunities for development and life in Bulgaria for 26 years.

The annual business meeting with foreign ambassadors is an event that the Forum traditionally organizes in cooperation with a diplomatic partner. This year it was the British Embassy in Sofia. In his speech, Ambassador Nathaniel Copsey emphasized the many reasons for optimism – Bulgaria is the fastest growing economy in the last 10 years according to Eurostat, growth in gross domestic product, a balanced budget for years, low unemployment, controlled inflation, etc., and also pointed out the need for a transparent and stable business environment. “We call on BBLF and its members to continue to be active in their efforts to improve the conditions for doing business, which is a guarantee of prosperity today and in the future.”

Steps for the successful development of the Bulgarian economy and society

Georgi Georgiev, Minister of Justice, reviewed the ministry’s efforts in recent months – joining the eurozone, joining the OECD, adopting the relevant changes in the legislation to continue payments under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, accelerating judicial reform, digitalizing administrative procedures, and removing Bulgaria from the “grey” list for money laundering. “Creating predictability and legal certainty and modernizing the opportunities to attract more labor will make the country more attractive to investors. Investments – both foreign and Bulgarian – mean the creation of more jobs,” he emphasized.

Nikolay Pavlov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Doncho Barbalov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry, and Mila Nenova, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Investment Agency, also actively participated in the discussion.

In the lively question-and-answer session that followed, the diplomatic corps and business leaders discussed in detail the practical steps needed for the successful development of the Bulgarian economy and society.

In a world shaped by change, companies that put people at the center of their strategy lead the way in innovation, resilience, and long-term success. The Forbes HR & Employer Branding Awards recognize those forward-thinking organizations in Bulgaria that create outstanding employee experiences, foster strong cultures, and align HR practices with real business impact. 

Now in their third edition, the awards span categories such as Talent Development, Employer Brand, Employee Engagement, HR Tech Innovation, Corporate Culture, and more. The event will provide a platform for HR leaders and companies to share their best practices and gain national recognition. 

Applications are open until 25 July 2025. 

Winners will be announced at the official ceremony part of Forbes HR & Employer Branding Forum & Awards on 25 September in Sofia. Earlybird tickets are now available: https://forbesbulgaria.com/events/forbes-hr-employer-branding-forum-and-awards/tickets/  

If your company is redefining what great HR looks like — this is your moment. 
Apply now and be part of Bulgaria’s most inspiring HR and employer branding showcase. 

If the Government is serious about growth, then it cannot tax business any further, Director General of the BCC, Shevaun Haviland, is set to warn. 

At the BCC’s Global Annual Conference 2025, she will unveil new research. This will show the impact of the increase in National Insurance Contributions on firms. 

The survey of more than 570 businesses – mostly SMEs – by the BCC Insights Unit, found that: 

• One third of firms (32%) said they have either made staff redundant or are planning to as a direct result of the NICs increase 
• Breaking the data out, 13% say they have already made staff redundant and 19% say they are actively considering redundancies 

In her keynote address, Shevaun will urge the Government to use the BCC’s Blueprint for Growth. This will create a long-term platform to expand the economy. 

Shevaun Haviland on trade and investment 

Shevaun is expected to welcome the new Trade Strategy, saying: 

“It sets out a clear, evidence-based approach to raising the UK’s export game.  

“It rightly targets our strengths in services, and vital high-growth goods sectors, while identifying key markets in the Indo-Pacific, Americas and Europe. 

“A focus on sectoral and digital trade deals is also welcome, alongside a commitment to a functioning rules-based global trading system. This must mark the start of our ambition to promote our country around the world. 

“Brand Britain is an incredibly powerful tool, and our politicians, diplomats and business leaders must all speak as one on selling our great country and driving inward investment.  

“Let’s use our new Industrial and Trade Strategies as our Manifesto for Brand Britain all over the world.” 

On reducing costs

Emphasising the importance of easing the cost burden to help business, Shevaun will say:   

“The size and scale of the rise in National Insurance Contributions took businesses by surprise.  

“We were unprepared for the huge burden placed upon us, and it led many of us to rethink our growth plans. As a result, our business confidence measures have fallen to their lowest levels since 2022.   

“For the government to achieve its Growth Mission, people need to stay in work and businesses need to invest. As always, businesses soak it up and move forward, but they feel like they are wading through treacle.” 

On skills 

Addressing the need to close the UK’s yawning skills gap, she is expected to say:  

“In 1997, Tony Blair said ‘education, education, education’.  The rallying cry for 2025 must be ‘skills, skills, skills’.   

“Two thirds of businesses tell us they are facing skills shortages, and this is stopping their growth.  

“They tell us too many young people turn up at their doors without many of the core skills they need for the world of work.   

“We need to bring the workplace into education and our young people into our workplaces before they drop out of the classroom. It is vital we link up the worlds of education and business like never before.” 

On supporting SMEs 

Urging the Government to buy British, she will say: 

“Government must use the power of its purse. It must buy British. We need government to keep its promise to boost British businesses through its infrastructure strategy, and to apply these rules to all areas of government procurement.  

“Get this right and we can inject billions into the economy.  Taxpayers’ money going back to taxpayers’ pockets.” 

On 24 June, Ambassador Copsey was pleased to host fellow Ambassador and Deputy Head of Mission colleagues from EU countries. Together with the Head of the European Commission representation in Sofia, Mrs Yordanka Chobanova, they provided an update on the recent UK-EU Leaders Summit held in London on 19 May.

This was the first such Summit to take place since the UK left the EU. Agreements were reached to enhance joint working which will lead to closer and more pragmatic cooperation between the UK and EU.

The discussion here in Sofia highlighted the positive trajectory of the wider UK-EU relationship. It is based on shared values, mutual interests, and tackling common challenges. All present agreed that it only makes sense to work even closer together in an ever-changing world, and to strengthen our cooperation across a wide range of shared interests. They include security and defence, trade, and people-to-people links, the potential for increased youth mobility, to name but a few.

The group also discussed common support for Ukraine and for the security and stability of the Black Sea. These were some of the key areas of shared foreign and security policy interest.

Both the UK and the EU are now focused on delivering at pace on the agreements reached on 19 May. To operationalise and deliver the improvements foreseen at the Summit that would be of benefit to both sides.

The best time of the year is here again – summer! And we are here again with special offers. All members of the chamber can take advantage of the exclusive summer offers of Hyatt Regency Sofia and Hyatt Regency Pravets Resort – with attractive discounts and privileges for both accommodation and organizing corporate events.

HYATT REGENCY SOFIA presents: The Last Of Us Offer

While the world’s on holiday, some of us are still holding down the fort (and the flipcharts). If you’re one of the last of us still planning meetings and events this August, we’ve got your back and your budget.

Our special summer offer is designed just for you: think cool perks, hot discounts, and personal touch to every detail:

• Double the Points: Earn double World of Hyatt points
• Half the Price: Up to 50% off venue rental
• Caffeine on Us: Complimentary coffee break
• Stay Fresh: Light lunch available at EUR 25 per person
• Park Like a Boss: Complimentary parking (subject to availability)

HYATT REGENCY PRAVETS RESORT: Office By The Lake

Trade city noise for lake views. Whether you’re planning a summer offsite or a corporate recharge, Hyatt Regency Pravets Resort has everything you need to make work in July and August feel like a retreat, not a routine.

Group Offer Starting at:

• €125 for a single room
• €150 for a double room

Your Stay Includes:

• Fuel Up: Buffet breakfast & dinner at Mercato Restaurant
• Unwind & Recharge: Full access to Ortus Spa, indoor pool, thermal area & fitness center
• Room with a View: Complimentary upgrade to a lake-view room (subject to availability)
• Double Rewards: Earn double World of Hyatt bonus points
• All-Inclusive Ease: 9% VAT, tourist tax, parking & high-speed internet

Summer Vacation at Hyatt Pravets Resort

Kids Up To 12 Years Old Stay Free

The package includes:

• A rich buffet breakfast and dinner
• Complimentary access to Ortus Spa, which features an indoor pool, children’s pool, and a thermal zone (16+)
• Free access to the Play Ground Room (Level -1) with darts, PlayStation, table tennis, and football
• An outdoor playground featuring slides, swings, an adventure maze, and a giant chess set
• A stylishly decorated kids’ club with an outdoor playground.
• Wine & Painting
• 15 minutes intro to golf
• 10% discount offered on massages and treatments at Ortus Spa
• 10% discount on the tennis court
• 10% discount on bicycle rental

Plan your event in July and August at Grand Hotel Sofia! Take advantage of our special offer for corporate meetings and conferences with a hot summer discount and free technical equipment. Our experience and professional team guarantee you memorable and successful events.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/summer-meeting-value-bbcc

For the fifth consecutive year, we conducted the Student Study 2025, dedicated to exploring the career attitudes and expectations of young people. Between May and June, we surveyed students, university graduates, and young professionals aged 16 to 26. They shared their views, preferences, and expectations regarding their future careers and employers.

The aim of the study is to provide valuable insights for improving communication between companies and young talent. The results will help employers better adapt to the needs of this generation and become more effective in attracting and retaining young professionals.

General profile of the participants

The analysis of young talent’s career expectations in 2025 highlights a strong interest in professional development, with nearly 62% of respondents already employed.
The most important factors identified include a supportive work environment, opportunities for growth, a motivating team atmosphere, and competitive benefits. These are seen as crucial in building loyalty and fostering strong, mutually beneficial relationships between young professionals and employers.

Factors in choosing an employer

Three main criteria stand out as most important when selecting a suitable employer.
One of the top priorities is the possibility of flexible working hours or remote work, underscoring the value young people place on time management and their desire to invest time in both personal and professional development.

Work-life balance also emerged as a key factor, reflecting the need to maintain mental and physical wellbeing without compromising on professional responsibilities.
The demand for high pay indicates a need for development and financial stability, especially in the context of high inflation and ongoing changes in the labor market.
At the same time, green policies, despite their global relevance, remain among the least important factors across all age groups.

Qualities young people look for in their future mentors and leaders

Young respondents prioritize direct and open communication, empathy, the ability to motivate the team, professional competence, and active listening to team members’ input.
Less valued qualities include extensive professional experience, strong strategic or organizational skills, and a friendly, informal approach.

The findings clearly show a shift in focus toward interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, rather than traditionally valued leadership traits.
Young people seek leaders who are engaged, understanding, and communicative, rather than those who simply rely on authority or years of experience.

Key Conclusions

High salaries continue to be one of the leading factors in attracting and retaining talent aged 16 to 26. However, young people also place great importance on a quality work environment and opportunities for professional development.

A stimulating and supportive environment—where young professionals can grow and thrive—emerges as a key element in building loyalty and long-term relationships between employees and employers.

Interest in remote work remains strong, placing new demands on organizations. To meet these expectations, companies must develop strong, strategically minded leaders who can maintain engagement and effective communication in a remote setting.

You can access the full survey results HERE.

On Saturday, the Bulgarian Embassy in London hosted the official opening of the ninth international Bulgarian reading contest Az Buki Vedi for first and second grade pupils abroad, which is held under the patronage of Bulgarian Ambassador in London Tihomir Stoytchev.

In his address, he pointed out that the Bulgarian Embassy in London considers it a priority to support Bulgarian schools, which, in his words, continue the Renaissance mission of preserving the Bulgarian language, spirit, culture and traditions among children and young people abroad.

Stoytchev noted that the competition is held with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science, including financial, as well as with the support of the National Assembly through the Committee on Policies for Bulgarians Abroad.

Among the official guests of the competition in London were Education Ministry’s Education of Bulgarians Abroad Department Expert Asen Petrov, parliamentary Committee on Policies for Bulgarians Abroad Chair Stoyan Taslakov, and Deputy Chair Denitsa Simeonova, as well as members of the Committee Angel Georgiev, Aylin Pehlivanova, Nezhdet Shaban, the chief expert in the Committee, Lidia Malinova, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev and Bulgarian National Radio Director General Milen Mitev.

Initiative

This competition is a significant initiative that not only motivates and inspires young Bulgarians to enrich their language skills, but also strengthens their connection with their native culture, said Education and Science Minister Krasimir Valchev’s message. According to him, Az Buki Vedi also gives teachers and parents the opportunity to engage in the modern learning process and strengthen their identity while living outside Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian school “Cyril and Methodius” in Dortmund, Germany, will host the eleventh edition of the Az Buki Vedi contest, which is scheduled to take place in 2027. The Bulgarian school “Cyril and Methodius” in Paris accepted the statuette for hosting the tenth edition in 2026. The hosts were determined after a draw during the ninth edition of the competition on Saturday.

BTA is the official media partner of the competition.

The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) and the British-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce (BBCC) signed a partnership agreement at a ceremony held at the BTA National Press Club in Sofia on Monday.

The agreement was signed by BTA Director General Kiril Valchev and Chair of the Board of BBCC Miroslava Kostadinova.

Valchev noted that BTA is expanding its circle of partners among the chambers of commerce in Bulgaria by joining with BBCC, pointing out that this comes in a year when BBCC marks ten years since its establishment in January 2015.

On this occasion, he presented Kostadinova with the BTA news item from January 14, when then UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond visited then Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov and the Chamber’s creation was announced, along with some of BBCC’s landmark news items from the past ten years archived by BTA.

Expanding BTA’s Network of Business Partnerships

He also noted that this is yet another industrial chamber with which BTA has signed a cooperation agreement, recalling that BTA already has such agreements with the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the French-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian-Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Bulgarian-Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Japan-Bulgaria Business Association, the Bulgarian-Saudi Chamber of Commerce, and the Bulgarian-Moldovan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Valchev said these partnership agreements are part of BTA’s broader strategy to maintain cooperation with professional organizations, adding that the agency has more than 30 such agreements in various economic and industrial fields. “Under these agreements, we systematically receive information from these associations and chambers, with proper copyright arrangements for the materials provided to us,” he said. He added that this is how BTA ensures that all Bulgarian media outlets have better access to information about business in Bulgaria.

Media Cooperation with UK Agencies and Global Impact

He also highlighted BTA’s partnership with British news agencies. BTA has had long-standing cooperation with British agencies. “Reuters has been one of the main sources of information we distribute to all media outlets throughout our 127-year history,” he said. “We also have an excellent partnership with the UK’s national news agency Press Association, with whom we are jointly involved in two organizations: MINDS International and the European Alliance of News Agencies.” He further recalled that BTA, together with the UK’s national agency, continues to lead the World Congress of News Agencies, whose last meeting before the COVID-19 pandemic was held in Bulgaria.

Referring to the cooperation between BTA and BBCC, which includes 250 member companies, Valchev said this was an opportunity for them to feature in BTA’s news coverage, including in the agency’s English-language service, and to appear by name. “Unlike the practice in some other Bulgarian media, BTA names the companies in its news,” he said. He also noted that cooperation with the Chamber has intensified in recent years, citing the growing number of publications. “In 2017, there was one publication from the Chamber. Over the years, the number has grown, especially following the establishment of the specialized Economy Directorate. In 2024, we have had nine Bulgarian-language publications and another five in English. Since the start of this year, there have already been 14 Bulgarian-language publications and two in English,” he said.

Valchev noted that the ultimate goal of the agreement is for BTA to publish weekly items on BBCC’s activities or its individual members, presenting investments, new ventures in Bulgaria, and social projects.

Reaching the Bulgarian Community Abroad

Valchev added that the signing of the agreement with the Chamber comes not only in the year marking its tenth anniversary, but also during the month when British embassies around the world celebrate the King’s birthday – a tradition not tied to the monarch’s actual date of birth but observed in June.

“There is a large Bulgarian community in the United Kingdom; if we go by the statistics for permanent residence applications, we are speaking of over 300,000 to 400,000 Bulgarians living there. For them, BTA is a source of information; some of them are interested in working in Bulgaria,” he said. “Through our platform, British-Bulgarian companies in Bulgaria will be able to provide information about opportunities for those returning from the UK to work here,” he added.

Kostadinova thanked BTA for extending a hand in cooperation. “For the Chamber, it is extremely important to have a media partner like BTA, where we can rely on objective and comprehensive coverage of our activities. On our part, you can count on us to provide accurate information and be active so that BTA can attend as many of our events as are suitable for coverage,” she said.

BBCC’s Vision for the Future with BTA

“I am honoured to sign this partnership agreement with the Bulgarian News Agency and to put the beginning of a great cooperation. During its 10^th Anniversary year the British-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce we add one important media partner with long standing traditions in making journalism at the highest modern professional standards. News about our activities and more specifically the important milеstone events planned for this anniversary year, will reach to Bulgarian and Uk audience. BTA will help us spread the news about our organisation and our members both in Bulgaria and in the UK and we will start working according to it in the near future,” Kostadinova added.

She expressed satisfaction that cooperation with BTA has become more active over the past year or two and thanked the BTA team for covering their events. “We are a platform that helps British companies in Bulgaria and Bulgarian companies that wish to work, or already operate, in the United Kingdom. It is important for the Bulgarian public to be informed about what we are doing, about important changes and developments in economic and business relations between the two countries, and about current news and processes taking place,” she said. “It is important for us to have a partner like BTA to help us spread this kind of information about our members, Bulgarian companies, and Bulgarian business,” she added.

Valchev presented Kostadinova with the commemorative medal and stamp issued for BTA’s 125th anniversary, as well as the postage stamp printed on the occasion of the 20th World Meeting of Bulgarian Media, held in May this year. She also received the latest English-language issue of LIK magazine, dedicated to Bulgaria’s participation in World Expos, which has also been released in Japanese.