The idea is to support innovative projects in deep technologies and technology transfer between universities, research institutes and businesses
The Ministry of Innovation and Growth will initiate the creation of a joint technology transfer fund between the European Investment Fund (EIF), Bulgaria and Romania on the model of the one between the EIF, Slovenia and Croatia. The idea is to join forces in support of innovative projects from universities to be successfully commercialized through support from the technology transfer fund. This was stated by the Minister of Innovation and Growth Milena Stoycheva at a work meeting with Nikolina Prah, State Secretary at the Ministry of Finance in Ljubljana. The Ambassador of Bulgaria to Slovenia H.E. participated in the meeting. Krasimir Bojanov.
“It is valuable for us to get the experience of Slovenia on this initiative, so that we can implement it successfully in Bulgaria as well. And then let’s unite the efforts of the four countries – Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia and Romania, in order to turn this initiative into a regional one”, said Stoycheva.
Minister Stoycheva and State Secretary Nikolina Prah discussed more joint initiatives for the development of startup ecosystems in both countries, as well as the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Cooperation for innovation, investment, digitization and entrepreneurship. Stoycheva emphasized that the Ministry of Innovation and Growth is working purposefully to turn Southeastern Europe into a center for innovation, and our country is the initiator of this. Efforts are aimed at building sustainable partnerships with the countries of South-Eastern Europe, through which to attract and develop talents, to strengthen cooperation in areas such as high technology, digitalization, entrepreneurial and startup ecosystem.
As part of her visit to Slovenia, Minister Stoycheva visited the innovative international school of management IEDC – Bled School, which provides a new approach to encouraging and training entrepreneurs on various programs. The Minister of Innovation and Growth discussed with his leadership cooperation on common projects and exchange of experience for the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in both countries.
Minister Stoycheva also visited the high-tech fair “IFAM, INTRONIKA, ROBOTICS” for automation, mechatronics, sensor technologies, measurement technologies in Ljubljana. The exhibition brings together innovators and experts from Slovenia and neighboring countries to present the latest achievements and trends in robotics and related fields. Within the framework of the exhibition, Stoycheva held a meeting with Prof. Dr. Igor Kovach, director of the largest Slovenian industrial cluster SRIP FoF (Strategic Research-Innovation Partnership – Factories of the future), coordinated by the leading Slovenian scientific research institute “Jožef Stefan” ( JSI). The minister spoke with representatives of Bulgarian companies that participated in the event.
Later, Minister Stoycheva got acquainted with the activities of the Space-SI Center of Excellence for Space Sciences and Technologies. With Prof. Tomaž Rodić, she discussed opportunities for cooperation and exchange of experience, as well as future joint projects between the two countries in the field of space technologies.
