Architect and Founder of Simple.Architecture
Alexander Yonchev has graduated from the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Saint-Étienne in France. He has also been working in Italy before returning to Bulgaria. He founded Simple.Architecture in 2018 specializing in the minimalist architecture. The studio has already numerous projects, public appearances and international prizes.
Co-Founder and CEO of Innowave
Antoan Sotarov is a PhD student in Economics, exploring the link between innovation and economic growth. He is also an entrepreneur, business consultant and trainer. Antoan, supports the work of various non-profit organizations that try to solve different social problems.
Director of National Student House
Hristian Daskalov is a doctoral candidate at the Technical University of Sofia. He is an author of two books in the field of educational policies and technologies. He researchers the management of open source projects. He has specialized in London, Riga, and Brno. Hristian is the founder of the ‘Open Source University’ project, awarded by the President of Republic of Bulgaria with a ‘John Atanasoff’ certificate for technology project with high social significance. Director of the National Student House since August 2018. The Student House is a unique Bulgarian institution with 115 years of history, created out of the voluntary donations and work of Bulgarian students.
Ivaylo Ivanov
CEO of SoftConsultGroup
Ivailo Ivanov has over 20 years of experience in developing and deploying business software. He has led projects based on the most innovative technologies, solving business problems of various organizations - from the smallest local companies to the largest international conglomerates.
Kalin Kalinov
Film Producer
Kalin Kalinov is a producer of 7 feature films. His projects are presented and awarded at numerous festivals around the world, including Berlin, Toronto, Moscow, London and others. He holds a PhD in Crisis Communication and teaches at the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication of the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. He is an independent expert for the Creative Europe programme of the European Commission.
Communication and Education Expert
Mihail Stefanov is an expert in the field of corporate communications, public speaking and comms training. He is also the founder and director of the biggest Bulgarian teen art festival - The Bridge. Provoked by the total lack of soft skills in Bulgarian schools, he combined his training expertise with his love for teenagers. And this is how MiniMashini.com was born - an innovative online platform, teaching Bulgarian students key skills of the future that are not being taught at school.
Molly Bernhard
English Teacher and Activist
Molly Bernhard is a Fulbright grantee to Bulgaria where she teaches English and researches migration patterns of disadvantaged groups. Previously, Molly worked at an international law firm based in Washington, D.C., specializing in litigation, labor and employment, and pro bono representation. Molly is passionate about the intersection of artistic expression, education, and mental health, and aims to pursue a career as a trauma therapist upon returning to the United States. Her talk will be in English.
Managing Partner and Communications Director of 3CON Agency
Nadezhda Vaneva is the only Bulgarian communication expert whose experience and case studies are included in the PR 2017 volume of the US PR edition. She has participated in a number of seminars and specialized conferences. Consultant Director at BNI Bulgaria - part of BNI's largest international networking organization. Member of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs SELENA and the Managing Board of the Bulgarian-Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the mandate 2018 - 2022
Plamen Ivanov
PhD Student at the University of Oxford
Plamen Ivanov studied Mathematics and Physics at the University of Cambridge and is now reading for a PhD in Theoretical Plasma Physics and Magnetic Confinement Fusion at the University of Oxford. He has many years of experience in teaching mathematics and physics at both high-school and university level. Outside of academia, Plamen is the chairman of NPMG Alumni Club, the alumni society of the National High School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, whose aims are to create an active community of alumni and enrich education in the high school.
Deputy Chairperson of Professional Association of Robotics and Automation
Yonko is the Deputy Chairperson of “Professional Association of Robotics and Automation”. He is a technology strategist, lawyer and financial analyst who has worked on a number of projects in Sofia, London and New York. He is passionate about impact-investments, disruptive ventures and technology. His vision for Bulgaria is a country which is a leading tech and diplomatic hub of the Balkans.
Microbiologist
Zdravko Peev is a microbiologist with a strong interest in medieval history. He is making mead for more than 13 years and is the founder of the first Bulgarian mead company - Meadly - Bulgarian Craft Mead. Turning honey into the ancient alcoholic beverage started as an experiment for recreating mead described in the oldest German cooking book. Combining his knowledge of medieval fermented drinks and Microbiology, Zdravko turned his passion into business.
Country Manager of Promedica24 and Creator of Fearless Dreams
Zlatin is managing Promedica24 Bulgaria, the biggest provider of home care services in Europe. He's an ex-professional volleyball player with experience in Bulgaria, Greece and Finland. Currently, he's working on developing a personal brand and YouTube channel under the name of Fearless Dreams.