Burgas

In the period 17.09 – 20.09.2024, the second edition of the new project of APACCCEEC – Academy for Entrepreneurship in Agriculture was held at the Burgas Branch of Sofia University ‘St. Kliment Ohridski’. The Academy is a successor of the Accelerator program for start-up enterprises in the field of agriculture between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, which was successfully held in 2023, and aims to develop the entrepreneurial climate in major Bulgarian cities outside the capital Sofia.

10 participants from all over the country took part in the Burgas edition of the Academy for Entrepreneurship in Agriculture. The participants prepared and presented innovative project concepts in the field of agriculture.

The Academy for Entrepreneurship in Agriculture was opened by Dr. Momchil Stanishev, Director of APACCCEEC, Ms. Plamena Apostolova, representative of the Burgas Branch of Sofia University and Mr. Todor Demirkov, Chairman of the Management Board of Burgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry. They emphasized the importance of such initiatives for the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Burgas and the region, as well as for promoting projects and ideas that develop the potential of agriculture.

During the Academy week, the participants had the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills with the help of an intensive training program. Lecturers in the program included:

Ch. assist. Dr. Krum Hristov, lecturer at Agricultural University – Plovdiv, who explained to the participants some of the main issues in agriculture (related to food, farming, energy and environment) and the economic means for their solution. Dr. Hristov presented the EU Common Agricultural Policy and its development over the last decades. Emphasis was placed on various European programmes, projects and funds that aim at improving food quality and rural viability.

Ch. Assist. Dr. Dobri Dunchev, lecturer at Agricultural University – Plovdiv, discussed one of the essential topics for every entrepreneur – Leadership and Team Management. Participants explored some of the prominent examples of successful leaders worldwide and learned which qualities define a good leader. Dr. Dunchev explained the characteristics of different leadership styles and what advantages and disadvantages they bring. The panel also included basic management skills.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kostadin Kolarov, Director of the UNWE Institute of Entrepreneurship, who answered the question “Quo vadis, entrepreneurship” and gave the young entrepreneurs valuable advice for successful business planning and modeling, explaining in detail the characteristics of the popular business model Canvas.

Stanislav Atanasov from Digital Innovation Hub Trakia introduced the participants to two relevant topics of importance beyond the boundaries of entrepreneurship and business – cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI). Mr. Atanasov gave tips on how to protect yourself against cybercrime and demonstrated AI-based programs and platforms.

Rosen Ivanov from Agricultural University – Plovdiv answered an import question for all entrepreneurs – Why Startups Fail? Mr. Ivanov discussed the current trends in startup development, emphasizing that the risk of failure within the first ten years is between 60 and 90%, depending on the country. Rosen Ivanov also presented some fundamental causes for startup failure – lack of capital, insufficient liquidity, consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ch. Assist. Dr. Stanimir Andonov, lecturer at Technical University – Sofia, introduced the participants to Marketing and Branding strategy. Dr. Andonov explained how young entrepreneurs can build a successful brand by considering market trends, customer preferences and the so-called ‘emotion curve’. During the panel participants also had the opportunity to create their own marketing strategy to promote brands in the agriculture sector.

APACCCEEC also provided two Mentor’s time panels in the program of the Academy, during which the young entrepreneurs discussed their project concepts with the mentors and received valuable guidance for improving the proposals. During Mentor’s time participants and mentors also addressed significant aspects of every entrepreneur’s personality – emotional intelligence and teamwork skills.

During the final day of the Academy for Entrepreneurship in Agriculture on September 20, the participants had the opportunity to develop their project concepts and present them within 10 minutes to a three-member jury, which, after a secret vote, made a decision and declared Hristina Mihaylova as the winner. Her project concept about growing fruits and vegetables using the Permaculture design method received the highest number of votes.

Hristina Mihaylova was rewarded with a financial prize of 5000 BGN. She will use the award to implement her project.

APACCCEEC team expresses its gratitude to the Burgas Branch of Sofia University ‘St. Kliment Ohridski’ for the active cooperation in organizing and conducting the edition of the Academy for Entrepreneurship in Agriculture in Burgas.

We congratulate Hristina Mihaylova for winning the award and all the participants for their efforts! We wish them all the best for their current and future endeavours and may the Academy be just one step in their development.