Vratsa Brought Together International Leaders, Investors and Innovators at Levant Foresights Summit 2026

Vratsa became a hub for international dialogue on investment, innovation, and regional development as it hosted the first regional edition of the Levant Foresights Summit.

Organized by the investment fund Neo Ventures in partnership with Levant Foresights, an independent research and advisory institute specializing in geopolitical and economic analysis, the forum brought together representatives of business, investment communities, diplomacy, and local government from Bulgaria, Europe, and the Middle East.

Held at Dom na Alpinista, the event launched a series of discussions focused on the future of regional development, the role of innovation in economic growth, and opportunities for building sustainable business partnerships.

One of the key highlights of the program was the panel discussion “Strategic Investment, Regional Development and Public-Private Partnerships,” featuring Vratsa Mayor Kalin Kamenov and entrepreneur Ivaylo Yordanov, founder of EVOL.BG. The speakers presented successful models of public-private cooperation, human capital development initiatives, and the opportunities available in Northwestern Bulgaria as a destination for business and innovation. Among the projects discussed were the future Center for Energy Development and New Sciences (CEDNS), the Open Vratsa tourism platform, and other regional initiatives.

During the panel “Capital in Motion: Investing and Exiting in Bulgaria’s Regions,” successful entrepreneurs and business leaders from Vratsa shared their perspectives, including Denitsa Petkova of Bul Stone and Borsa Imoti, Emilian Kadiyski of Vola Software, and Eng. Dimitar Varganov of Starck Technology. The discussion focused on the challenges investors face in regional markets, the factors driving successful investments, and their impact on local economies and employment. Yuliyan Balchev from Invest Bulgaria Agency presented the current investment framework for regional Bulgaria, including tax incentives and other economic support measures available to investors.

Particular interest was generated by the session “Investing in AI, Robotics & Autonomous Systems,” featuring Pavel Ezekiev, founder of Neo Ventures, and Vasil Petrov from the Bulgarian drone company Fadron. Participants explored developments in artificial intelligence, robotics, and drone technologies, as well as the potential of Southeast Europe to emerge as a regional technology hub.

International cooperation between Southeast Europe and the Middle East was another major theme of the summit. The panel “Axes of Collaboration” brought together Prof. Emilia Zankina, Dean of Temple University Rome, diplomat and legal expert Dimitar Abadzhiev, and international affairs specialist Sarantis Santis. The discussion focused on the prospects for building long-term strategic partnerships between countries and regions.

The closing keynote and discussion, “The Hidden Architecture of Regional Influence,” was delivered by Hamd Alkhayat, entrepreneur and founder of Sanaddak Innovations in Egypt. He shared insights into how informal networks, strategic relationships, and trust shape investment decisions and contribute to regional stability.

Levant Foresights Summit 2026 concluded with a clear message: the future success of regions depends on their ability to attract talent, investment, and innovation through active dialogue between businesses, institutions, and international partners.

By hosting the summit, Vratsa further strengthened its position as a city capable of attracting international events and creating an environment where ideas, technology, investment, and leadership come together.