On April 2, 2025, the 19th edition of the prestigious “Investor of the Year” competition took place at the "John Atanasoff" Hall in Sofia Tech Park. The event was organized by the InvestBulgaria Agency (IBA) under the Ministry of Innovation and Growth and celebrated the most significant investment projects carried out in the country during the past year. The initiative aims to honor companies that have made a substantial contribution to Bulgaria’s economic development by creating jobs, introducing innovations, and promoting sustainable growth.

The Grand Prize for "Investor of the Year 2024" was awarded to Biovet AD, a Bulgarian company with over 100 markets worldwide and three production facilities in the country. Biovet specializes in the production of feed additives, veterinary medicines, and active substances for industrial livestock farming. The award was personally presented by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, who highlighted the importance of a predictable and stable business environment for attracting and retaining investments.

Key Highlights from the Ceremony

Regional Investments with International Presence

• AK Electric AD, part of Swedish AQ Group AB, and Chinese ZS Europe EOOD received plaques in the "Investment with High Regional Impact" category. ZS Europe is building an aluminum auto parts factory near Plovdiv with an investment of BGN 19 million, expected to create over 100 jobs.
• The company also announced a new investment of BGN 35 million in Bulgaria, scheduled to start in 2025, underscoring growing Chinese interest in the country.

Sustainable and Innovative Projects

• Integrated Micro-Electronics Bulgaria was recognized in the "Low Carbon Investment" category. The company operates a major plant in Botevgrad employing more than 2,000 people and is part of a global electronics production network.
• In the "Sustainable Business" category, awards went to: 
  • Festo Bulgaria – a key R&D center outside Germany and a global hub for prototypes and tools; 
  • Ficosota Food – investing BGN 80 million in its new “Alto” plant producing Bruschette Maretti snacks; 
  • Bulpharma – with BGN 200 million invested in medical complexes and photovoltaic projects in 2024.

Innovation and Human Capital

• Simenso EOOD was honored for its innovative product in the field of stress management and mental health.
• Epix.Ai EOOD received the Successful Startup award for combining epigenetics and artificial intelligence to assess biological age and disease risk.
• Dormakaba Business Services Bulgaria won the Investment in Human Capital award.
• EnduroSat EAD received the award for Investment in Innovative Business. The company has launched over 60 satellites and plans to hire 150 more engineers in 2025 to support R&D activities.

Recognition for Industrial Zones and Municipalities

Zagore Industrial Zone was presented with an honorary plaque as a certified industrial zone under a priority investment project. 

Stara Zagora Municipality was awarded the title “Municipality with the Most Investments in Bulgaria for 2024” and received the iconic “Golden Bull” statuette. Mayor Zhivko Todorov emphasized the importance of cooperation between local government and business in creating an attractive investment environment.

Messages and Future Perspectives

The event sent a clear message: investments are a driving force behind Bulgaria’s sustainable economic development. Minister of Innovation Tomislav Donchev called for "economic patriotism" and encouraged society to focus on the added value of local production. Mila Nenova, Executive Director of IBA, emphasized the role of long-term and innovative projects in expanding Bulgaria’s economic potential.

Sources:

• BTA, Delyan Petrishki 
• 24 Chasa

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