A functioning ecosystem in Burgas would look like this
Smart public transport, sustainable use of natural resources, automated working processes, a space for co-working and targeted support for the establishment of development centres, and transition from an economy of outsourcing to innovative and production oriented economy. That is how local digitally savvy people see the optimal development of their city in the next three to five years. This vision took shape during a workshop, part of the roadshow EDIT on the ROAD, which took place on 20 August in Burgas and brought together representatives of the local digital community, traditional business and public administration.
During the one-day event, opened by Sasha Bezuhanova, the founder of the platform MOVE.BG, participants listened to examples of a successful company, established in Burgas and heard from Google the reasons why and how to establish an effective online presence with a range of different digital instruments. Nikolay Kazmin from Domestina shared his experience creating a company which took the business with housemaids online and automated it, making it available in Sofia, Plovdiv and Burgas.
And concretely...
During the afternoon workshop, participants had the task to imagine what the ideal and truly functioning business environment in Burgas would look like. Following four hours of brainstorming and working together on these ideas, the ideal ecosystem was outlined and concrete and feasible projects proposed. More entrepreneurs, product development instead of outsourcing, co-working space, labs and accelerator programs, mentors, venture capital funds and business angels, as well as business analysts and companies for marketing research are some of the key elements for a working ecosystem.
The first steps which participants in EDIT on the ROAD|Burgas outlined are the establishment of a co-working space, training on new media topics and a business literary club to discuss relevant books and ideas and exchange business experience.
“Today’s meeting gives me much hope that we can have interesting events and initiatives happening in Burgas, too, in order to provide a creative environment and opportunities for young people,” participant Rossitsa Gocheva said at the end of the day.
What’s next?
The event in Burgas was the first of a series of one-day meet-ups around the country. Next locations, part of the roadshow EDIT on the Road, are Plovdiv (16 September) and Stara Zagora (17 September), Veliko Turnovo, Gabrovo, Vratsa and Ruse, where EDIT will get together local digital entrepreneurs, representatives of traditional business and administration. During each event attendants will hear more about the experience of a successful entrepreneur, will learn best practices from Google about why and how to improve the online presence of their business and will take part in a workshop aimed at identifying the challenges and opportunities for development of regional business through implementation of digital solutions.
Parallel to the Roadshow, the EDIT team is surveying the digital small and medium startups in the country. The results of the survey will be presented during a closing conference in Sofia in November.
