site.btaGATE Institute Has Requests from Three International Companies to Test Technologies, Director Says

GATE Institute at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski has received requests from three international companies to test their technologies, which will give the research institute access to the latest technological developments, its director Prof. Silvia Ilieva said on Thursday at the Next Gen Entrepreneurs Day forum, hosted by the institute.

Ilieva noted that seven years after applying to the European Commission with a business plan for the creation of the scientific unit at Sofia University, the GATE team has grown to more than 80 people and has completed over 30 European projects.

"In Bulgaria, we can develop not only as entrepreneurs, but also in the field of science," she said.

She added that GATE's work has also been linked to supporting Bulgaria's entrepreneurial environment. As an example, she pointed to the completed Horizon Europe project ExcellEnt, which helped connect Bulgarian entrepreneurs with representatives of ecosystems from other countries.

The institute is currently implementing another project focused on clean technologies and sustainable mobility.

GATE also supports entrepreneurship through its technology entrepreneurship programme.

Ilieva recalled that since 2022, GATE has served as a NATO test centre for big data and artificial intelligence. Since then, the institute has supported more than 60 Bulgarian startups in applying for funding to develop dual-use technologies.

The Next Gen Entrepreneurs Day forum brought together students, entrepreneurs, investors and institutional representatives. Its goal is to present future company founders with the path from the birth of an idea to its market realisation.

Organizational partners of the forum include SIS Credit, Fund of Funds, the Bulgarian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, the podcast The Next Gen Speaks, and Poland's Microfinance Centre.

The event is supported by InvestEU and the European Investment Bank, and is part of the Best Youth Startup in Bulgaria 2026 programme.