For another year in a row, the most deserving startups and people in Bulgaria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem were awarded in the national round of the Central European Ѕtartur Award 2020 (СЕЅАwаrdѕ). The startup of the year award went to the information security company LоgЅеntіnеl.
This year СЕЅАwаrdѕ Bulgaria was held in an entirely online format, organized by the Bulgarian Startup Association – ВЕЅСО. The European Investment Bank (EIB) was a general partner of the awards, and The Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA), the Fund of Funds, Ѕіtеgrоund, ВrіghtСар Vеnturеѕ, РubGаlаху, РhоnеАrеnа, ЅМЅ Вumр (а Yоtро соmраnу) and Соhоnеѕ Вrеwеrу were partner organizations. A recording of the live broadcast is available here – https://www.facebook.com/besco.startups/videos/389794782465633
The winners in the national round were decided by a comprehensive assessment of the jury’s votes in the competition and the votes of the audience after an open vote on the competition website.
Not only the winners in the ten categories of CESAwards 2020, but all 42 Bulgarian finalists will take part in the СЕЅАwаrdѕ regional competition on 10 December. The international ceremony will honor the most successful startups and people in Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
The winners
Startup of the Year is LоgЅеntіnеl – a company for information security on large data sets, using technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence.
Best Newcomer (for companies with up to two-year history) – the starting Meteo.Rockѕ, which develops a network of autonomous and solar-powered meteorological stations for data in real-time.
Best FinTech Startup – Рhуrе – a mobile application for orders from traders worldwide, money transfer services, etc.
Founder of the Year – Sabina Gyosheva – co-founder of ВY FАR – a brand for high-quality ladies’ shoes.
Investor of the Year for the third consecutive year is the Bulgarian venture capital fund LАUNСНub Vеnturеѕ.
Best Co-working Space – Саmрuѕ Х.
Best Social Impact Startup – Рrоѕfіt Тесhnоlоgіеѕ. The company manufactures prostheses using new technology and supports the integration of people who have undergone amputation.
Best Accelerator/Incubator Program for the second consecutive year is Endeavor’s Dаrе То Ѕсаlе.
This year, in the two new categories – Best Virtual Teamwork Solution and Ecosystem Hero of the Year – were awarded: DіgіtаlКіdz, who improve the digital competences of teachers, students, and parents, and Vassil Terziev – investor, co-founder of Саmрuѕ Х and the Telerik Academy, and managing partner in Eleven’s venture capital fund.