BKVF Balkan Venture Forum Sofia

Overview                                                           



On 21-22 May 2013 the BALKAN VENTURE FORUM (BkVF) played an active role in the European and Balkan innovation scene. It fostered start-ups and high-tech, high-growth entrepreneurship, internationalization of Bulgarian and Balkan start-ups through contacts with blue chip investors.

More details about the Balkan Venture Forum can be found on the BKVF website.

This time the BkVF was an Investment Forum targeted at showcasing the Bulgarian and Balkan most promising high-tech entrepreneurs to an audience of Balkan and international venture capital and corporate investors and strategic partners. We selected 37 companies from Bulgaria and Balkans to the Forum, and 20 international investors and investment and partnering advisors as well as 20 local investors. 

The BkVF also has been promoted as a 2013 European Venture Contest Semi-Final and the top quartile (best 25%) companies from the BkVF have qualified themselves for the European Venture Summit which will take place at the end of 2013.
 

The BALKAN VENTURE FORUM entailed the following:

  • Discussion sessions on investment trends and market opportunities.
  • Presentations of companies to active investors.
  • One2one meetings between entrepreneurs and investors.
  • Emphasis on innovative technologies for global growth.
  • Attractive programme. 
  • Invitation-only – highest quality investors, experts and entrepreneurs.

Prizes for AWARD WINNING Companies were:
  • a European Venture Summit qualification for the top quartile of the presenting companies. Which means a guaranteed access to the Summit at the end of the year.
More over they could win:
  • a LAUNCHub Seed & Acceleration fund “Wild card” for the application process of the Acceleration Program. Meaning;  a guaranteed place among the shortlisted teams for a personal interview with the fund’s team and potentially qualify for EUR 30,000 worth of funding. (launchub.com)
Or:
  • a Eleven Startup Accelerator "fast-track" through Eleven’s selection process, meaning winning a guaranteed pitching slot in front of Eleven’s investment panel. (eleven.bg)