The final of the National competition "Best Youth Startup in Bulgaria 2024" is just days away. The competition is organized for the third consecutive year by the Fund of Funds and the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Sofia University under the patronage of the Ministry of Innovation and Growth and in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science. The final stage of the competition will take place on May 31, 2024, from 14:00 to 19:00 in the Aula of Sofia University, in the presence of all 40 partners from the entrepreneurial ecosystem in our country. All faculty members and students from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration are invited to attend the event.

At the semifinals on May 15 this year, an expert jury selected the ten best ideas that will compete in the final. Among them is a project by a student from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, majoring in Business Administration, who will present an innovative energy drink with mate.

Here are the projects that will compete for the attention of investors:

• Brick3D: production of 3D print files for construction bricks and training in the flexibility of 3D printing in terms of color, size, and quantity.
• Truckspedia: a platform for automating and optimizing logistics processes in Europe. The startup uses AI algorithms to connect available loads with available trucks.
• Jobbing: the first online platform for low-skilled, short-term work in Bulgaria, connecting businesses that want to optimize their costs, processes, and staffing needs with young people who want to increase their income whenever and however they wish.
• Vita-In: a new brand of condoms with immune-boosting and healing effects, combining pleasure and a healthy lifestyle.
• Enthela: a biostimulant that allows farmers to replace up to 50% of nitrogen mineral fertilizer use while increasing soil fertility without reducing productivity. The product creates a biodegradable shield around microorganisms, allowing them to survive longer in the soil and be more effective in producing nitrogen for plants.
• ReGrounded: an innovative, sustainable material made from a combination of coffee waste, wood waste, and other bio-products. The material is safe for food contact, bio-based, extremely strong, durable, sustainable, biodegradable, compostable, and can be recycled multiple times without loss of physical properties.
• GreenFilters: recycling cigarette butts, which are a significant source of pollution due to the plastic in their filters, into activated carbon for water, air purification, etc.
• Hive Constructor: an innovative educational kit for assembling beehives, which includes wooden components and an AR application for interactive beekeeping learning. The product is aimed at schools, families, corporate clients, and hobbyist beekeepers.
• Mate Plata: an innovative product combining the ancient tradition of yerba mate with modern needs for energy and vitality. The product is entirely natural, rich in natural caffeine, antioxidants, and revitalizing ingredients, and is aimed at people with an active lifestyle.
• BuddyGuard: a platform that connects trusted pet sitters with pet owners. The platform facilitates quick connections between parties, with a clear schedule and timely and secure payments for the service.

The event will be opened by Krassimir Yakimov, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atanas Georgiev, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", and Pavel Lisev, Executive Director of the Fund of Funds. Also invited are Acad. Prof. Nikolay Vitanov, Deputy Minister of Education and Science, and Dr. Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the EC Representation in Bulgaria. The moderator will be Dochka Vasileva, Head of the "Project Information and Financing" unit at the Fund of Funds.

The winners of the previous two editions of the "Best Youth Startup" competition, who are already growing with attracted investments and mentoring support from the competition partners, will share their success stories. Participants will be able to draw inspiration from the success stories of Vodoraslo, Mentor the Young, Twisted Technology, PossePay, Anti-tremor glove, AGRON, and others. The finalists will receive awards from the competition partners.