The Perfect Storm for Breeding Innovation With Ned Dervenkov From BESCO

Our next guest is on a mission to transform Bulgaria’s economic model towards high-value-added businesses. 

Ned Dervenkov is one of the co-founders of the Bulgarian startup association BESCO (recently rebranded to The Bulgarian Entrepreneurial Association). 

With over 500 members, BESCO is working towards a series of reforms to improve the framework for starting a business in Bulgaria and position the country as an innovation powerhouse in the region. 

He had participated in the creation of several laws impacting the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Bulgaria (like the introduction of startup visas and the issuing of Blue Cards for non-EU talent). 

Before that, Ned Dervenkov was a serial entrepreneur with businesses in real estate, sustainable fashion, and finance. 

Ned is also a part of ABLE – the Association of Bulgarian leaders and entrepreneurs, where he also serves as a mentor.

In this episode, Ned talks about: 

• How BESCO is creating the infrastructure for the multiplication of success in Bulgaria; 
• What is the secret sauce of effective advocacy work on a policy level; 
• The importance of paying forward and supporting the success of others;
• Can tech unify like-minded people in the Balkans?

Don’t miss the previous episode about the e-mobility evolution with the CEO of AMPECO Orlin Radev.