How can a promising deep tech idea move from scientific breakthrough to a market-ready solution with European support?
On 29 October 2026, the European Innovation Council (EIC) will hold an Info Day in Sofia dedicated to current funding opportunities for breakthrough technologies, research projects and high-growth companies. The event will take place from 10:30 to 16:10 EET at the Bulgarian Army Stadium and will be organised alongside Crossroads by StartUp Bulgaria.
The Info Day is designed for start-up founders, scale-ups, researchers, universities, investors, technology-transfer organisations and everyone developing deep tech solutions in Bulgaria and the wider region.
What will participants learn?
- how the EIC support journey is structured — from EIC Pathfinder and EIC Transition to EIC Accelerator, the EIC Fund and STEP;
- which calls and priorities are included in the current EIC Work Programme;
- how to identify the most suitable instrument for the stage and profile of a project;
- what EIC-supported companies and research teams have learned from their experience;
- how to connect with EIC and EISMEA representatives, investors and members of Bulgaria’s innovation ecosystem.
Following the joint morning programme, participants will choose between two parallel tracks: “EIC for deep tech start-ups and scale-ups”, focusing on the EIC Accelerator and the EIC Fund, and “EIC for deep tech researchers”, covering Pathfinder, technology transfer and the route from research results to application. The programme also includes panel discussions, Q&A sessions and networking opportunities.
An important reminder for applicants to the Pathfinder Challenges: the deadline for submitting proposals is 28 October 2026, one day before the event.
DINT Foundation encourages Bulgarian innovators, technology entrepreneurs and research teams to take advantage of this direct access to the experts managing European innovation-support instruments.
Date: 29 October 2026
Time: 10:30–16:10 EET
Venue: Bulgarian Army Stadium, Borisova Gradina, 3 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., Sofia
Format: in person only
Working language: English
Registration is required and places are limited.
➡️ Register for EIC Info Day Sofia 2026
➡️ Full programme and practical information
➡️ Information from Bulgaria’s Ministry of Innovation and Growth
