Startup Scout & Project Officer - Bulgaria (Fluent Bulgarian)

Startup Scout & Project Officer

4 year assignment (freelance contract)

Location: Bulgaria (preferably in or close to Sofia), occasional travel to Belgium max 2 - 3x/year

Fluent Bulgarian & English

As a Startup Scout & Project Officer based in Bulgaria, we are looking for the face of our client in Bulgaria's startup scene. Execute the Launch Program in Bulgaria. The mission? To represent our client in Bulgaria, to create awareness, build and InterconnecT ecosystems in Bulgaria and beyond, engage with local stakeholders, and energize the Bulgarian startup and spin-off community. Play a key role in spreading the entrepreneurial spirit in the Balkan area and coordinating our impactful Launch Program that drive early-stage innovation forward.

The assignment

• To support the expansion, we are looking for a startups/innovation enthusiast, motivated to soft-landing our activities in Bulgaria, building/interconnecting ecosystems, and leading our Launch program, a 10 week coaching program to validating first business concepts up to TRL 4, towards success.
• Join a leading accelerator: Become part of the team, a Powerhouse in scaling tech startups across Europe since 2011. Contribute to our mission of empowering entrepreneurs and driving innovation forward.
• Kickstarting the Launch Program (pre-acceleration program): Become the main Point of Contact in Bulgaria to onboard future founders in the Launch program and help building the key foundations of the next generation startups/spin-offs by offering a 10-week coaching program led by local and international experts.
• Bridge Bulgaria and Belgium's startup ecosystems: Become the key connector between Bulgaria and Belgium, with a strong focus on business and startup development in Bulgaria.
• Expand our network & influence: Build a robust network in Bulgaria and introduce our client to key stakeholders, ensuring our presence and impact grow within the local ecosystem.
• Foster strategic partnerships: Develop relationships with both local and international partners, playing a pivotal role in setting up and executing projects that always keep tech startups at the core.
• Strengthen our Bulgarian engagements: Establish, nurture, and accelerate our existing and new initiatives within Bulgaria's thriving entrepreneurial landscape.
• Boost awareness & visibility: Champion our client's acceleration programs within the local ecosystem, making sure founders and stakeholders understand the value we bring and execute excellence.
• Inspire & empower entrepreneurs: Motivate aspiring entrepreneurs to take the leap, guiding them as they launch and scale their tech startups.
• Be the face of our client in Bulgaria: Represent them on both local and international stages, working closely with our diverse network of partners to fuel startup success.
• Be part of our team (remotely): The headquarters of our client is located in Leuven, Belgium and your next team will be mainly based in Antwerp and Ghent but you will have back-support from all, digitally. You will have the opportunity to travel occasionally to Belgium to connect with your team-members and get acquainted with the Belgium Startup ecosystem.

Required knowledge and skills

• Work and think at Master level.
• At least 3 years of relevant work experience, preferably in an entrepreneurial environment.
• Experience in running a start-up or working with start-ups is definitely a plus.
• Experience in the Bulgarian/Balkan tech start-up ecosystem is a superplus.
• You have good communication skills with excellent knowledge of English and Bulgarian.
• Notions of Dutch are useful but not necessary.
• Genuine interest in and understanding of advanced technologies, innovation, and business.
• Natural and enthusiastic networker, as well as a builder of bridges with persuasive power.
• Find it pleasant to bring people together and work on a common goal to stimulate innovation.
• True team player and have experience working in a multidisciplinary team.
• Combine a hands-on approach with a helicopter view and achieve goals in an efficient manner.