Insights
White Papers
Ecosystem RadarEcosystem Radar
French-Bulgarian Chamber Celebrates Innovation at 5th Annual Awards
The French-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry held its 5th Innovation Awards, recognizing standout companies and leaders for innovation, social impact, and sustainable business practices.
©
FTS Insights official •
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
April 05, 2024
French-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Holds 5th Edition of Its Innovation Awards
by Desislava Toncheva
“The Innovation Awards spotlight the ingenuity and resilience of companies that are shaping the future of business and society in Bulgaria."
– French-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Article Summary
On April 4, the French-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) hosted the 5th edition of its prestigious Innovation Awards in collaboration with Sofia Municipality. The annual competition celebrates excellence in innovation, sustainable practices, and social impact among companies and individuals in Bulgaria.
Key winners included:
- Eldrive Bulgaria – Innovative Idea Award for its leadership in electric mobility.
- Melexis – Innovative Project Award for its contributions to technological advancement.
- Capto – Innovative Start-up Award, showcasing strong potential in digital transformation.
- Odaya Home – Corporate and Social Responsibility Award for preserving cultural traditions in a modern context.
- Peter Roebben, CEO of UBB and KBC Group’s Country Manager – Business Personality Award for his role in the Raiffeisenbank merger and digital assistant development.
- AIoT Cloud – Innovative Urban Solutions Award, for smart management software enhancing urban services.
A special jury prize was awarded to Proxiad, with Capto and Melexis also shortlisted, recognizing progress, innovation, and societal impact.
Official guests included Joel Meyer, French Ambassador to Bulgaria, Milena Stoycheva, outgoing Innovation Minister, and Mila Nenova, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Investment Agency. The evening also featured a panel discussion on enterprise and municipal innovation, moderated by Konstantin Valkov of Darik Radio.
All laureates receive a year of free FBCCI membership and dedicated mentoring, strengthening their future development and integration into the broader French-Bulgarian business ecosystem.
Key Highlights
- Eldrive Bulgaria wins for Innovative Idea in electric mobility.
- Capto awarded as most promising Innovative Start-up.
- Melexis recognized for its high-impact Innovative Project.
- Odaya Home honored for social responsibility and cultural preservation.
- Proxiad receives special jury award for innovation and societal progress.
Takeaway
The FBCCI Innovation Awards serve as a vital platform to recognize forward-thinking companies and leaders driving innovation in Bulgaria. By rewarding impactful ideas and socially responsible practices, the event elevates the role of innovation in economic and societal progress.
For startups, corporates, and institutions alike, these awards foster collaboration, encourage sustainable growth, and strengthen ties between Bulgarian and French business communities. Recognition by a binational chamber underscores the importance of cross-border innovation in today’s interconnected economy.
They are mentioned in this publication
Related Publications Continue reading
/ EnduroSat has announced a $205 million funding round co-led by Riot Ventures and Atreides Management. The Sofia-headquartered company says the capital will support larger satellite production, a new high-volume manufacturing facility in the United States, and the build-out of what it calls the EU's largest space and defense hub.
SeeNews / VISEO has acquired Bulgarian consulting and training firm ITCE, according to SeeNews. The deal brings a Sofia-based specialist in IT transformation and ServiceNow into the French group's wider consulting platform.
Reuters / France said companies pledged €93 billion at the 2026 Choose France summit, setting a new high for the event. The largest single commitment came from SoftBank, which plans to invest €45 billion in three data centres in Hauts-de-France by 2031 as France pushes to position itself as a European base for AI infrastructure.