👀 What is the South East European Innovators Challenge (SEEIC)?
The pilot edition of the South East European Innovators Challange 2024 (SEEIC 2024 – “Challenge for Southeast European Innovators” 2024) will bring together the best start-ups from technology parks and innovation zones in the Republic of Serbia, Greece, Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria. The initiative is a pilot project of the Alliance of Science and Technology Parks and Innovation Ecosystems in Southeast Europe (SEE STP Alliance), in which Sofia Tech Park is a leading partner.
The organizers of the pilot edition of the challenge are JOIST from Greece, Sofia Tech Park and Gabrovo Tech Park from Bulgaria, OSTIM Techopark from Turkey, Nis Science and Technology Park from Serbia, Magurele Science Park from Romania.
Sofia Tech Park is hosting the first edition of the SEE Innovators Challenge in 2024.
✅ Who can participate in the South East European Innovators Challenge (SEEIC)?
The competition is open to start-ups that are part of the ecosystems of the Alliance’s technology parks and innovation zones, working in the field of artificial intelligence, big data, microelectronics, fintech, life sciences, green energy.
Each Alliance partner will select 2 companies that will have the opportunity to participate in a series of trainings and events, as well as receive mentoring guidance and sessions from experts to develop their business. During the final three-day event in Sofia Tech Park, startups will have the opportunity to present their projects and products to international investors and/or start a potential joint venture.
The selection procedure for participating companies from Romania is conducted by Magurele Science Park and is aimed at the participants of the SEE Innovators Program.
Each candidate must fulfil the following criteria:
• Early stage start-up (up to 5 years since company registration);
• Industries or knowledge domains: AI/VR, Big Data, Microelectronics, IT/ICT/Fintech, Life Sciences, Green Energy;
• Must have an established team;
• TRL 4-6 or above TRL 6
For all those interested in innovation, science and technology, the forum will offer free access to motivational and leadership sessions, as well as to the “Science and Entrepreneurship” exhibition, which aims to introduce the audience to start-up companies and scientific laboratories from South-Eastern Europe.
Each organizer will select the most distinguished two companies, one from each category (TRL 4-6 and above TRL 6) which will participate in the final forum on 28 to 30th of October 2024 in Sofia.
Participating countries in the Alliance of Science and Technology Parks and Innovation Ecosystems in South East Europe will share more information about their ecosystems, achievements and opportunities in targeted national sessions.
More information on the competition and public sessions in the event program can be found on our website and on the event page.
📆 When and where will the SEE Innovators Challenge take place?
The event will take place in the period October 28 – 30, 2024 at the “John Atanasov” Innovation Forum at Sofia Tech Park.
🔛How to register for the SEE Innovators Challenge?
All start-up companies in the Magurele Science Park community, participating in the SEE Innovators Program, can declare their desire to participate in the challenge by filling out the application form
🕘Registration deadline: August 30, 2024.
Note: Regarding the costs to the participation of the teams ( maximum 2 person per team) , accommodation and all the meals during the event, it will be cover by the organizer.
