Bulgaria in orbit: Nearly €115 million for satellites, innovation, and technology transfer

The Ministry of Innovation and Growth has an ambitious plan to support Bulgarian science and business. Nearly €115 million will be invested next year in eight new procedures aimed at connecting academia with the real economy and bringing the country into the era of secure satellite communications.

The news was announced after yesterday's meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Scientific Research, Innovation and Digitization for Smart Transformation Program (SRIDTP), which approved the indicative annual work program.

Technology transfer – from the lab to the market

One of the key initiatives is the further development of the national model for technology transfer. The process is actually already underway – at the end of this year, funds will be allocated for the creation of a central hub in Sofia Tech Park, which will help scientists turn their research into commercial products and services.

In 2026, the network will expand with regional offices throughout the country. The idea is to give local companies easier access to scientific capacities and innovative services, whether they are located in the capital or in smaller towns.

Small grants for big ideas
Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises will be able to apply for funding with small grants. The money can be used for innovative services from the special catalog on the Platform for Cooperation between Universities, Research Organizations, and Business.

The system works on the principle of a marketplace model, where companies can freely search for suitable specialists, high-tech research facilities, or specialized services. The measure is not new—this year, over 100 companies took advantage of similar support, and now the program will continue and expand its scope.

A large-scale modernization of the research environment in academic institutions is also forthcoming. Investments will be made using the integrated territorial investment (ITI) approach, which means a coordinated approach to the development of entire regions.

Bulgaria enters the space age

Perhaps the most impressive part of the plan is the construction of a national communication center for secure satellite communications and Earth observation. With this center, Bulgaria will officially join three major European space programs—GOVSATCOM, Galileo's public regulated service, and the upcoming IRIS2 initiative.

What does this mean in practice? The country will be able to manage crises more effectively and protect critical infrastructure such as the power grid, transport system, and communication channels. It will also ensure faster and more secure data exchange between Bulgarian and European institutions, as well as reliable synchronization of telecommunications and financial systems.

In an era where cybersecurity and technological independence are becoming increasingly important, this investment puts Bulgaria on the map of European countries with their own capabilities in the field of secure space communications.

Translated with DeepL.