Photo: BTA
The manufacturer of veterinary products for industrial livestock farming, "Biovet" JSC, became the recipient of the title "Investor of the Year 2024" at the 19th edition of the eponymous competition organized by the Invest Bulgaria Agency. The ceremony took place on April 2 at Sofia Tech Park.
The aim of the awards contest is to recognize the most significant investment projects implemented in 2024 and to give well-deserved recognition to the investors who contribute to the development of the Bulgarian economy. For another year, Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov, President of the BCCI, is a member of the jury in the Prestigious Awards.
The award in the category "High-impact investment for regional development" was received by "AK Electric," Radomir. The company is part of the global Swedish "AQ Group" (AQ Group AB).
"The plaque in the 'Investment with a High Contribution to Regional Development' category was also awarded to 'ZS Europe' Ltd. The Chinese company, a subsidiary of the 'Shanghai Unison Aluminium Products' Ltd. holding, will invest nearly 19 million BGN in the construction of a state-of-the-art facility for the production of aluminum automotive components within the Trakia Economic Zone near Plovdiv."
In the next category, "Investment with a Low Carbon Footprint," the award was presented to "Integrated Micro Electronics" – a global leader in electronics manufacturing committed to sustainable development and reducing carbon emissions. The company operates 21 manufacturing facilities worldwide, including in Bulgaria, in the town of Botevgrad.
Several plaques were also presented in the "Sustainable Business" category. The first award was received by "Festo," the largest R&D center of "Festo" outside Germany and a global center for prototypes and tools.
The next award in this category was presented to "Ficosota Food." The company invested 80 million BGN in the new Alto factory, dedicated to "Bruschetti Maretti" – a snack sold in 80 countries.
The third award in the category went to "Bulpharma," a company with a 28-year history. It started its operations by wholesaling pharmaceuticals on the Bulgarian and international markets. Since 2000, it has been investing in healthcare. The company has investments in six medical complexes across Bulgaria. The projects completed in 2024 have a total value of 200 million BGN, including investments in a photovoltaic park in Pazardzhik.
The winner in the "Innovative Product" category is the company "Simenso." It is the first innovative company in Bulgaria specializing in stress management, burnout prevention, and mental health.
The award in the "Successful Startup" category was presented to "Epix.Ai." The company combines epigenetics and artificial intelligence to measure the biological age of individuals and the risk of age-related diseases.
The honorary plaque in the "Industrial Zone, Certified for Priority Investment Project" category was awarded to "Zagore Industrial Zone".
This year, the winner in the "Municipality in Bulgaria with the Most Investments for 2024" category was Stara Zagora Municipality.
Plamen Panchev, founder of "Trakia Economic Zone," received an award for personal contribution, in recognition of his dedication, vision, and significant impact on economic development, according to the jury's rationale.
The next award was in the "Investment in Human Capital" category and was presented to "Dormakaba Business Services Bulgaria."
"Alcomet" topped the "Investment in Business Expansion" category.
"Smart Solar Technology" was awarded the "Golden Bull" in the "Greenfield Investment" category.
"Endurosat" became the winner in the "Investment in Innovative Business" category. The company's investments in 2025 are expected to be three to four times higher compared to last year's expenditures. The company's development also includes the hiring of 150 new employees, including development engineers, to create products in Bulgaria. In the coming months, the launch of the third generation of satellites is also planned. Raycho Raychev announced that "Endurosat" has successfully deployed 60 satellites into orbit.