site.btaStartup Networking Event Planned During Hemus Defence Exhibition

An event titled Startup Networking will be held during the Hemus 2026 International Defence Equipment and Services Exhibition, which is due in Plovdiv between June 3 and 6. The news was reported on Thursday by the International Fair of Plovdiv, which will host Hemus 2026.

Startup Networking is being organized by the Ministry of Innovation and Digital Transformation and will take place on June 3.

It is the first pitching event of its kind in the 31-year history of the Hemus Exhibition, the Ministry said. Fifteen Bulgarian start-up companies developing technologies of dual (military and civilian) use will take part. They will present their innovative developments to leading national and international companies in the defence sector and to investment funds.

The technological solutions and ideas of the participants cover key areas corresponding to the thematic challenges of the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA): energy systems; modern communications; electromagnetic environments; biotechnology and physical endurance; technologies for extreme conditions; maritime and space operations; critical infrastructure and logistics; and autonomous and unmanned systems.

The Ministry of Innovation and Digital Transformation is part of the organizing committee for the Hemus Exhibition. With this participation, the opportunities for joint scientific and technical projects and for supporting Bulgarian companies in the fields of defence, security and high technology are expanding, the Ministry added.