Daniela Chonkova is the Executive Director of the Mechatronics and Automation Cluster. Since July 2025, she has served the position of Enterprise Coordinator. Europe Network Bulgaria to the team of the Bulgarian Industrial Association
Ms. Chonkova, what Bulgarian businesses need to know about the Enterprise Europe Network?
This is the largest network in the world, initiated by the European Commission nearly 20 years ago with the aim of helping small and medium-sized enterprises to develop, innovate and find international partners. We are colleagues from business support organizations in over 50 countries with vast experience in supporting businesses. Individual companies cannot be members of the network, but they can benefit from all the services we offer free of charge. All Bulgarian organizations in the network work closely together, so whoever they turn to, they will receive assistance or be redirected to colleagues with the most appropriate expertise.
What are the network services that are most frequently sought after by Bulgarian companies?
First and foremost is, of course, specialized information on topics related to increasing the capacity of enterprises to enter and grow in international markets - from regulatory regimes and requirements related to resource efficiency, sustainability goals, digital transformation and technology transfer, to finding financing opportunities and suitable business, technological and scientific partners.
Enterprise Europe Network offers companies individual service tailored to the specific case, sector and company specifics .
Our goal is to support the modernization of SMEs and serve the long-term needs of companies at different stages of their growth. The network has no sectoral limitations and serves both high-tech and traditional sectors – from manufacturing, digital technologies and energy to healthcare, agri-food and creative industries, including fashion and textiles.
Our services include targeted networking with international partners, organizing business missions or B2B meetings within the framework of European and global exhibitions, as well as individual consultations or specialized training related to digitalization, sustainability, innovation management, intellectual property management, energy efficiency, technology transfer and access to a number of European funding sources.
You say this is the largest network in the world. Which countries does the network cover?
The network has a global reach. Of course, in Europe it covers the EU member states and candidate countries, but it is present on 4 other continents – in Asia, North and South America and Africa our partners include Japan, Singapore, South Korea, India, Vietnam, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Tunisia and many others. And keep in mind that this membership is constantly expanding.
What are the specific benefits for Bulgarian businesses?
In the last six months alone, we have been working intensively on individual servicing of over 100 Bulgarian companies, with nearly a quarter of them already managing to find trusted foreign partners with the help of the network or to realize long-term results from our individual consultations. This includes significant cost reductions as a result of optimized business processes, development and introduction of new products and services, creation of new jobs and increase in revenues. We continue to work together with dozens of other companies towards achieving similar results in the coming months.
Over the years, the accumulated good examples are hundreds. We strive to support more and more companies with ambitions for international growth. For us, these successes are not just numbers – we perceive them as our personal cause. There is no greater satisfaction than the feedback that our efforts have led to new deals, partnerships or improved business performance.
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Enterprise Europe Network in Bulgaria:
Bulgarian Industrial Association– coordinating organization
Unified Innovation Center at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Cluster "Renewable Energy Sources"
Business Center for Supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises – Ruse
Association "Maritime Cluster" - Varna
Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Stara Zagora
Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Plovdiv
Cluster " Mechatronics and Automation"
Regional Innovation Center "Ambitious Gabrovo"
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