This week Bulgarian founders of Artificial Intelligence (AI) businesses recently engaged with key players in London's tech ecosystem through a programme organised by the Bulgarian Expansion Bridge (BEX). 

The Bulgarian contingent, the largest among representatives from Germany, Italy, Israel, Croatia, Poland, and Romania, showcased the depth and strength of Bulgarian AI talent.

During the AI Programme, Bulgarian founders held discussions with:

• Government organisations, including InnovateUK, Digital Catapult, and the Department of Investment & Trade, which provided insights into available support for AI companies in London.
• Large corporations such as Lloyds of London, Intel, British Telecom, Stripe, and Citi, offering new opportunities for Bulgarian startups to participate in their programmes.
• Investors, who provided guidance on positioning propositions in the UK and accessing venture funds in the AI space.
• AI Experts from leading universities and pioneers in the expanding field.

Several potential collaborations are already emerging, particularly in the insurance and deeptech sectors, where AI plays a crucial role.

The program concluded with a Showcase attended by over 70 investors, operators, and experts from prominent companies like Amazon, BT Group, Deloitte, eBay, HSBC, Mastercard, Sony and many more.

Speaking after the event Filip Stanev, Founder & CEO of Saga, shared his thoughts on London's AI ecosystem, emphasising: “London is really dynamic, and right now, it's one of the best spots in the world for anything AI. It's a great place to start and grow AI businesses, with lots of talented people, a large customer base, and plenty of capital to go around”.

Georgios Kolovos, Founding Managing Director of the Bulgarian Expansion Bridge (BEX), stated, "The AI talent in Bulgaria is truly exceptional! Seeing the potential during this inaugural programme gives us further motivation; we have a robust pipeline of initiatives planned for 2024, all aimed at empowering Bulgarian founders to successfully expand onto the international stage."