Predictive maintenance startup PREDICTO is among six Bulgarian companies selected to join the exclusive European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s (EBRD) Star Venture programme, designed to support high-potential startups with strategic expertise and access to finance and new markets.
Out of 15 shortlisted startups that pitched their business ideas during a live event at Planet Schwarz Tech Theatre in Sofia, PREDICTO impressed a jury of ecosystem leaders, investors, and EBRD representatives with its plug-and-play solution for predictive maintenance in the industrial sector. The startup is building momentum with demo projects with leading Bulgarian manufacturers as well as presenting its innovative solution at recent business events across Europe. It joins a diverse cohort of innovative Bulgarian ventures working in areas such as circular fashion, cybersecurity, AI-based upskilling, and healthcare digitalisation.
The panel of judges featured Manuela Naessl, the EBRD’s Head of Bulgaria, Dobromir Ivanov, CEO of the Bulgarian Entrepreneurial Association (BESCO), Momchil Vassilev, Managing Director of Endeavor Bulgaria, Valeri Petrov, a partner at the Eleven venture capital fund, and Daniel Shopov, Director of Barin Sports.
Rethinking Maintenance with AI
PREDICTO offers a compact sensor and AI-driven platform that enables monitoring of all industrial equipment, not just critical assets. The solution analyzes vibration and temperature data, detects anomalies, and sends automated notifications and recommendations—no engineering expertise is required for installation. Its scalability makes it ideal for industrial companies of different sizes and sectors.
Since launching, PREDICTO has already partnered with leading Bulgarian manufacturers in the mining, pharma, food, and automotive sectors to validate its solution. Its technology has also attracted attention beyond manufacturing, including interest from high-performance computing infrastructure operators.
What PREDICTO Hopes to Achieve
“We’re excited to join the Star Venture programme at a pivotal time for our team,” said Radomir Rashkov, CEO and co-founder of PREDICTO. “Our goal is to make predictive maintenance simple, scalable, and data-driven. With EBRD’s support, we aim to strengthen our go-to-market strategy, improve product capabilities, and forge strategic partnerships across Europe.”
Over the next 24 months, PREDICTO will benefit from up to €40,000 worth of tailored advisory services, strategic workshops with Cambridge University, world-class mentorship, and access to investor networks and international markets.
Backing a New Generation of Deep Tech Startups
The Star Venture programme is already active in 26 economies and has supported over 550 early-stage companies to date, spanning the southern and eastern Mediterranean, the Western Balkans, Central Asia, Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, and Turkey. It is funded by the EBRD’s Small Business Impact Fund with support from donors such as Ireland, Japan, the United States, and Taiwan.
Manuela Naessl commented:
“We’re excited to see so much interest in this flagship programme and welcome such a promising cohort of Bulgarian startups. The Star Venture programme has already had great success in other countries, and we are confident that the programme will fuel stellar growth for these already stellar companies.”
PREDICTO’s selection highlights the growing role of deep tech startups in transforming industrial operations and Bulgaria’s position as a rising hub for industrial innovation in Central and Eastern Europe.
As Bulgaria’s deep tech ecosystem continues to grow, PREDICTO’s inclusion in this prestigious programme signals the rising global relevance of industrial innovation from the region.
