Sofia has a lot to offer tech entrepreneurs. One thing I didn’t expect to find is an event that attracts startups, sponsors and investors from all over Europe, and speakers and attractions from all over the world.
I was really impressed with the physical prototypes of assistive technology. Here is a company iRise (I think they’ll run into problems with this name in the US) that’s building great stuff. Their very first prototype is in daily use by a Bulgarian woman who cannot use her legs. That’s what I call product-market fit.
I love coffee, but hate the waste. Remember, 99% of the ‘paper’ coffee cups made have a plastic liner that prevents them being recycled as paper! So a company from Plovdiv pioneers the edible coffee cup. This is probably DOA because you can’t advertise on it without (again) printing on paper. And they’re expensive compared to paper cups. And, while they’re approved for eating by whatever body approves food, nobody eats them because they taste like communion wafers. So, Cupffee–your heart is in the right place– but you’re doomed. Nice try!
Typical social media blitz going here–it basically looks like a Las Vegas software show, except conducted in a Soviet era brutalist convention center.
While you’re ever in Sofia, you have to check out the alternative arts scene. Dance theater is a thing here: check out this dynamic group from Alma Alter Theater of Sofia University.