- Endeavor Bulgaria is set to organize its Dare to Scale (D2S) growth program for the fifth year in a row.
- Bulgarian companies with annual revenues exceeding €100k (BGN 200k) and up to 150 employees can apply for the program at this link.
- The deadline for applications is April 30, 2023.
The program is open to companies across all economic sectors and regions in Bulgaria that already have a proven product or service on the market. Entrepreneurs who submit their applications will undergo a selection process, during which the Dare to Scale team, mentors, and business leaders from the Endeavor network will select the final participants. Just like in 2022, when BESCO – The Bulgarian Entrepreneurial Association participated in the program, one spot is reserved for an NGO.
Endeavor Dare to Scale: Traction so far
To date, more than 80 entrepreneurs from 43 companies have taken part in past editions of Dare to Scale, with seven of them receiving funding totaling over BGN 3 million.
In 2022, 40 mentors collaborated with the participating companies. Two of the companies secured funding from a D2S alumni participant, and strategic partnerships were established between individual companies. Workshops featured top speakers such as Vasil Terziev (Managing Partner at Eleven Ventures), Svetozar Georgiev (co-founder of Telerik Academy and Campus X), Vince Gaydarzhiev (founder of Alcatraz.ai), Hristo Hristov (CEO of Darik Radio), Filip Popov (Head of Small Business Banking Division at Postbank), among others.
The Dare to Scale program in 2023
The fifth edition of the program will run from September, beginning with an Orientation, and will conclude in December with the final Demo Day pitching event. Company founders will have the opportunity to attend specialized training sessions in essential areas for scaling a business, including organizational management, marketing and sales, business planning, and fundraising.
Each participating company will gain access to Endeavor’s local mentor network, who will provide entrepreneurial expertise and support to the founders.
Moreover, for the second consecutive year, partners and directors from PwC Bulgaria will work individually with all participants, holding regular mentoring sessions to help entrepreneurs tackle key scaling challenges and identify opportunities.
Participants will have the chance to attend events where they can network with key figures in the Bulgarian entrepreneurial ecosystem. The program will culminate in the Demo Day event, where companies will present their businesses to a panel of established business leaders.
“We are delighted and honored that the Dare to Scale program continues to be a vital part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Bulgaria for the fifth year running. This year, we will select a new group of driven and innovative entrepreneurs who are not only transforming the economic landscape of our country but also reshaping our society. Through the program’s training, mentoring, and events, we aim to expand their knowledge and prepare them to elevate their businesses to unprecedented levels. We are thrilled to offer the resources, experience, and mentor network necessary to support startups in advanced stages of development on their growth journey,” says Momchil Vassilev, Managing Director of Endeavor Bulgaria.
