MOVE.BG works toward encouraging competitiveness and visibility in Bulgaria and achieving economic sustainability driven by innovation.
Bulgaria’s overall growth and sustainability potential is linked to the active and targeted identification of economic sectors and social phenomena, which can bring about large and sustainable economic growth, a higher living standard and social equality. The economic program of MOVE.BG is created with the aim of supporting the acknowledgement, popularization and development of potentially successful sectors of the Bulgarian economy. The results of this program can help the creation of specific measures and strategic action steps in the creation of policy areas, the establishment of clearly defined norms and enhancement of the best practices. Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are the big players in Bulgaria’s economy. They represent 98% of all enterprises in Bulgaria; they create 60% of the GDP of our country and ensure 75% of our employability. Considering their influence on the economy, SMEs can have a decisive role in ensuring Bulgaria’s transition to an emerging digital economy. Digital SMEs as well as SMEs utilizing digital technology can be the backbone of Bulgria’s economy. The government and the private sector should work together to create an environment supportive of innovation and attractive for investments in those SMEs, which work toward developing products for the digital sector and therefore creating an up to date digital ecosystem.
Where are we?
Despite the positive dynamic in the Bulgaria’s ICT ecosystem, comparative studies show the need for targeted actions for the sustainable development of this sector. Bulgaria is rated penultimate concerning its place for innovations in Europe (Innovation index), 23rd out of 28 European countries for integration of digital technologies (DESI 2016) and we are furthermore among the last in the integration of supportive instruments and policies of the EU concerning start ups. Moreover, Sofia is placed 33rd out of 35 European cities according to EU Digital City Index 2015.
What are we doing to change where we are?
Driven by the belief that the creation of a more competitive environment in Bulgaria can happen only with common efforts, MOVE.BG initiated the project EDIT (Economic Development via Innovation and Technology), a network uniting all organizations and enterprises interested in the development and growth of the digital industry in Bulgaria. Founders of the project EDIT are MOVE.BG, Start It Smart, StartUp Foundation, Association of Bulgarian Leaders and Entrepreneurs ABLE, Betahaus, Bulgarian Centre of Women in Technology BCWT, Brain WORKSHOP Institute, Eleven Accelerator Venture Fund, LAUNCHub Seed and Acceleration Fund, NEVEQ, TAKEOVER, Perpetto, Reloyalty, Join The Players, Web/desh. EDIT is open to all companies and organizations whose work brings about the growth and development of a digital Bulgaria.
The first initiative of this coalition is the national campaign - Innovation Ship Bulgaria|Digital
Anational survey among small and medium sized digital enterprises, which aims at identifying trends and encouraging the involvement of the business in the process of building a positive economic outlook for Bulgaria. The gathered data from this survey will be analyzed in order to identify potential growth areas for small and medium sized digital enterprises and to trace how they correspond to European and regional trends. Recommendations will be made about how the useful practices can be applied in the Bulgarian economic context. Part of this project will also be the creation of a program addressing the needs of SMEs and the digital ecosystem in our country.
