Is Sofia a Good Place to Launch a Startup?

Where you start your company still matters – but sticking too closely to one location might limit what you’re able to build. In today’s startup landscape, geography shapes your path – but it doesn’t have to define your potential.

Sofia has emerged as a strong hub for entrepreneurship, offering access to funding, talent, and infrastructure. But with growing competition, rigid local programmes, and support often reserved for the most polished startups, relying solely on what’s nearby can slow you down – or hold you back.

In this article, we’ll explore what Sofia gets right – and where founders often run into friction. We’ll also show how EWOR offers an alternative: a global, remote-first platform that gives you access to funding, mentorship, and community – no matter where you’re based.

1. Access to Funding in Sofia

Funding is one of the most critical ingredients in building a successful startup – and Sofia offers a growing ecosystem of support. From venture capital firms to government grants and angel investors, founders in this region have several pathways to raise capital and gain early traction.

Sofia's early-stage funding scene is active, supported by local VC firms like LAUNCHub Ventures, Vitosha Venture Partners, BrightCap Ventures, and Sofia Angels Ventures, many of which have an early-stage focus. The CEO Angels Club is a notable angel network. Government support includes programs like the Financing Innovative Start-ups Program by the Sofia Municipality. However, challenges persist, including a perceived lack of "quality" startups with fully committed founders and the small size of the local market, which can limit opportunities and increase competition among VCs for deals. Access to follow-on funding beyond the initial stages can also be difficult, sometimes requiring startups to seek international investors. While early-stage funding saw growth in 2022, the broader CEE region experienced a decline in early-stage and seed investment in Q1 2025, reflecting global trends and regional limitations.

A More Flexible Path Forward

In the wake of these challenges, founders don’t have to rely solely on local funding options. EWOR offers a more flexible path – providing up to €500,000 in early-stage capital But EWOR is more than a cheque. Our capital comes bundled with personalised support, investor-ready storytelling, and access to a network of over 400 active European investors – many of whom regularly participate in our Grand Pitch events. On average, EWOR fellows who complete the programme and pitch go on to raise €2 million in follow-on funding – over 10x more than founders from comparable European initiatives.

2. Innovation and Startup Culture  

Sofia has become a centre of innovation, with numerous tech hubs, coworking spaces, and accelerators that foster creativity and new ideas. The local startup culture is vibrant, with a growing community of entrepreneurs working together to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Sofia has a vibrant and developing startup and innovation ecosystem, considered a leading hub in the Balkans. The city boasts numerous coworking spaces catering to various needs, from flexible desks to dedicated offices. Tech events are frequent, including major annual conferences like DigitalK and WEBIT, as well as numerous meetups, workshops, and specialized events covering various tech sectors. Entrepreneurial activity is significant, with a growing number of startups founded in recent years. While there are accelerators and incubators supporting early-stage companies, the ecosystem, with its expanding VC community, has also matured to support growth-stage startups. Support for early-stage founders exists through various programs and angel investor networks, though some sources suggest a need for more quality early-stage projects and funding for follow-on rounds. The support landscape includes both competitive programs and resources offering mentorship and access to networks.

For many entrepreneurs, the energy and resources available in Sofia can provide the ideal environment to test new ideas and gain early traction. The collaborative atmosphere allows founders to connect with fellow innovators and build networks that can help their startups grow.

While the local startup culture is vibrant, the support founders actually receive can be hit or miss. VCs might offer funding but little time. Angel investors often give advice, but it’s scattered and inconsistent. What’s more, many accelerators rely on a one-size-fits-all model that doesn’t reflect the needs of exceptional founders. In fast-moving, competitive ecosystems like Sofia, standing out is hard enough – getting the right kind of support shouldn’t be.

The Alternative to Cookie-Cutter Programmes

Finding a programme that truly adapts to your journey, not the other way around, is rare. However, EWOR offers the kind of depth and flexibility that many local programmes simply can’t match. Instead of following a fixed curriculum, our fellowships are modular and tailored – giving you the right support at the right time, based on where you are in your journey.

But the real strength of EWOR goes beyond structure. Fellows often describe the community as the most unexpected – and valuable – part of the experience. As some have put it: “The real magic lies in the community: the kind of conversations, insights, and connections that lead not only to breakthroughs – but to lasting friendships with some of the most fascinating people they’ve ever met”.

3. Talent and Workforce Availability

One of the greatest assets of launching a startup in Sofia is access to a skilled and diverse talent pool. With universities producing top-tier graduates in technology, business, and other fields, startups can tap into a wealth of expertise to help grow their teams.

Sofia has a strong talent pool for startups, fueled by numerous educational institutions like Sofia University and the Technical University of Sofia, which produce many STEM graduates annually. The city is home to 23 universities with over 42,000 STEM students and various private software academies. Key industry-specific skills include software development, cybersecurity, data analytics, AI, and machine learning. Sofia's talent is known for technical proficiency, English language skills, and adaptability. The local ecosystem supports entrepreneurial growth through a vibrant startup community, co-working spaces, accelerators, and government initiatives like tax incentives and support for incubators.

Like funding, competition for talent can be fierce, especially for highly specialised roles in fields like software development or AI. For startups looking to scale quickly, hiring the right people at the right time can be a challenge, leading some founders to look outside the region for remote talent solutions.

Get Global While Local

While hiring locally in Sofia can be competitive and slow, EWOR gives you instant access to a global network of exceptional talent. Built by founders for founders, the EWOR team has launched and exited companies worth over €12 billion – and they bring that experience directly into your venture. It's not just about funding or surface-level advice; it's akin to having a co-founder from day one. 

The team collaborates closely with you to refine your idea, challenge your thinking, and support you through real-world decisions – just like a hands-on partner would. Moreover, with EWOR’s exclusive co-founder pool, you can find the right person to build with, regardless of their location.

4. Infrastructure and Support Systems

Sofia boasts a strong infrastructure that supports the growth of new businesses. From modern office spaces to high-speed internet, entrepreneurs have access to everything they need to run their startups smoothly. Government policies may also provide tax breaks, legal support, and other incentives that make starting a business more attractive in this region.

Sofia offers a robust infrastructure for startups, including numerous co-working spaces and incubators like Campus X and Sofia Tech Park. These provide not only physical space but also access to labs, networking events, and mentorship. Support systems include accelerators such as Founder Institute Sofia and Eleven Ventures, offering funding, mentorship, and structured programs. A growing VC community and angel investors also provide crucial funding. Government initiatives play a significant role. Bulgaria offers one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the EU (10%). Programs like the Startup Visa attract foreign entrepreneurs. The Sofia Municipality's "Accelerator Startup Sofia" provides grants, mentoring, and institutional support. The Bulgarian SME Promotion Agency (BSMEPA) and Invest Sofia also support startups through various initiatives and assistance with relocation and scaling. These combined resources foster a dynamic ecosystem, helping businesses launch and grow.

But what looks good on paper often proves more complicated in practice. Bureaucracy can be time-consuming and opaque, especially for first-time founders unfamiliar with local laws. Incorporation takes longer than expected. Accessing public funding often means navigating slow processes, strict requirements, or hard-to-reach advisors. And operational costs – from accounting to regulatory compliance – can quickly eat into early budgets. 

A System That Moves With You

With access to expert guidance, practical legal resources, and a network of experienced entrepreneurs who’ve built across a range of regulatory systems, EWOR is well positioned to help founders navigate the bureaucratic and legal complexities that often come with building in Sofia. Instead of wasting time figuring things out alone, you’ll have the tools and support to stay focused on what matters most – growing your venture.

And while we’re remote-first, our support is anything but distant. Through in-person gatherings like the EWOR House, city-based meetups, and our twice-yearly Grand Pitch event, you’ll still build meaningful relationships with investors, peers, and mentors. It’s a system that helps you focus on building – not just dealing with paperwork.

Can Sofia Be Considered the Best Place to Launch a Startup?

There’s no doubt that Sofia provides a vibrant environment for startups, with access to funding, innovation, talent, and infrastructure that can help entrepreneurs build successful businesses. For many, it’s a strong contender for the best place to launch a startup, thanks to its growing entrepreneurial ecosystem and support systems.

Launching a startup in Sofia presents several challenges for entrepreneurs. While the cost of living has been relatively low, it has been increasing, impacting labor arbitrage. Competition exists within the developing tech ecosystem. Regulatory issues and bureaucracy can be complex to navigate, although there are ongoing efforts to simplify processes and supportive government initiatives like the Startup Visa. Accessing follow-on funding beyond early stages can also be difficult.

However, it’s important to remember that the location of a startup is no longer the be-all and end-all. In today’s digital age, location-independent options like EWOR allow entrepreneurs to access world-class mentorship, funding, and resources from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re based in Sofia or elsewhere, EWOR’s remote programmes are designed to support founders no matter where they are located.

So, while Sofia offers significant advantages, it’s worth considering options like EWOR that enable you to launch and scale your startup with global support – whether you’re in the heart of a bustling startup hub or working from a quiet corner of the world.

Image credits: by Andreas Brücker on Unsplash