Alexandra Todorova is a familiar face in the Bulgarian startup ecosystem. For years, she has been closely involved with startups and investors through her roles at two Bulgarian VC funds — LAUNCHub and Vitosha Venture Partners. She is also the COO of The Bridge, a three-day closed gathering of Bulgarian entrepreneurs.
Recently, Alexandra moved to Riyadh, where she is further developing the diaspora community. Today, we talk about a new launch, The Bridger Network, created to serve as a network for the Bulgarian entrepreneurial ecosystem all over the world, where she serves as a Co-Founder and COO; her motivation to live in Saudi, and the bigger picture of connecting people.
For her, the drive to join The Bridge’s team was simple: the mission resonated with her. “I believed in the cause,” she says. “The team was giving so much of their time without expecting anything in return. I wanted to support them in bringing successful Bulgarians back into the ecosystem, showing them how much is happening here.”
Every edition of The Bridge brought home Bulgarians who were building careers across the world — founders, investors, executives. The main idea is to build a bridge between the diaspora and the local ecosystem: enabling investments, collaborations, and building a circle of trust.
But the real turning point came during preparations for the 2025 edition. “We realized we were reconnecting Bulgaria with people we didn’t even know existed,” she explains. “Unicorn founders, people who raised massive rounds from top VC funds, investors in the world’s biggest venture firms, C-level executives at SpaceX, Meta, Google.”
That’s when the organizers realized the event’s impact shouldn’t be condensed into three days. “We understood we needed to multiply the effect,” she says.
“If we worked on this every day, not just once a year, we could help create many more success stories with Bulgarian DNA. Then The Bridger Network was born. We treated it like a product startup. Talking to our members, improving constantly.”
The new platform
Since its launch, The Bridger Network has expanded to include more than 170 active members spanning Europe, the DACH region, the UK, MENA, Singapore, and the United States. The launch of the Bridger Network’s digital platform was a natural continuation of the story. Built in under three months, the platform features a community feed, dedicated channels, and a global map of more than 800 Bulgarians working in tech around the world. “This map is something we’re extremely proud of,” she says. “You can find a Bulgarian in any industry or market. And soon, you’ll even see who in the network can introduce you to a specific person. It makes global expansion so much easier.”
Alongside the platform, the team launched a series of international pop-up events to activate the diaspora. Since September, they have organized gatherings across New York, Boston, San Francisco, Washington DC, in Dubai and Riyadh, and regularly in Sofia. The GCC roadshow stands out as one of their most impressive achievements, attracting more than 80 Bulgarians.
“We took a group of Bridgers from Sofia to Dubai, where they met more than 35 Bulgarians based there,” she describes. “Then we all flew to Riyadh and were joined by others who came directly for Saudi Arabia. We connected them with Bulgarian expats, but also with key local figures, legal experts, representatives from one of the world’s biggest incubators, influential ecosystem players.”
The trip wasn’t just business. “We even took them to an Al Nassr game to see Ronaldo,” she laughs.
How to join The Bridger Network
Membership in The Bridger Network is nomination-based and highly curated. Candidates can enter through the annual event, through pop-up events or via regional hubs such as the UK and DACH charter organisations. A nomination committee reviews each applicant. Inside the network, members take on various roles, architects shaping the platform, patrons supporting it strategically and financially, and ambassadors leading outreach in key locations.
Although The Bridge originated within the Power of BG community, it has been empowered to evolve into its own NGO. “Power of BG remains focused on entrepreneurs within Bulgaria,” she explains. “The Bridger and The Bridger Network, on the other hand, focus on bridging the international diaspora, a global network. But we still strategically support each other and work closely together.”
In Saudi Arabia, business begins with presence, not Zoom calls
Saudi Arabia, one of The Bridge Network’s newest focus regions, has quickly become a topic of interest. But doing business there requires a different approach, Alexandra explains.
“You cannot build relationships in Saudi over Zoom calls. Here, trust is built in person. You have to be present, show up, shake hands. Only then does business really begin.”
As a woman living and working in Saudi Arabia, she addresses the elephant in the room. “It’s the question I am getting asked the most. I was very cautious before coming; about how to dress, how to behave. But honestly, I feel extremely safe here. Much safer than in the UK, for example. People are respectful, open and welcoming.”
With the country’s Vision 2030 reforms, she notes, there is a strong push for women’s empowerment, reflected in female-focused funding programs and high-ranking women leaders. “In many ways, gender feels like less of a barrier here than in Europe,” she says.
Her personal decision to move to Saudi Arabia was influenced both by her partner, co-founder and chairman of The Bridge Network, but also by professional curiosity. “After visiting so many times, I saw the ecosystem forming in real time,” she explains.
“It reminded me of Central and Eastern Europe’s early days, but with massive funding and government support. They’re still early, but they’re moving incredibly fast. It’s exciting to witness.”
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The Bridger Network was initiated by Nikola Likov (Co-founder & Chairman), Alexandra Todorova (Co-founder & COO), and Tsani Sabev (Co-founder & CTO), with the strategic involvement of the remaining founders of The Bridge Todor Gigilev & Olya Antonova and the support of patrons such as Presiyan Karakostov (Founder & Chairman, PhoneArena), Alex Vasilev (CEO, Sport Alliance), Andrey and Borislava Bachvarovi (Anthill), Mitko Yankov (Co-founder & CEO, Metasim), Geri Valova (Co-founder & COO, Metasim; Founder & CEO, Youbee), and Sim Simeonov (Founder & CTO, Swoop).
