WE’LL HELP YOU FIND
THE PROGRAMME
Sofia IS programme is the first city initiative in Bulgaria to unite the local administration and companies from the city to provide integrated services for investor inquiries and free assistance that covers every stage of setting up a business in Sofia.
The partnership is under the initiative and coordination of Invest Sofia. It includes independent international consulting companies with operations in the city, whose expertise covers the full range of necessary initial activities in exploring the business environment and opportunities of Sofia as an investment destination.
FULL RANGE OF
Sofia IS brings together teams of international companies with expertise in business analysis; financial and legal consulting; labour market and human capital; office, commercial, and industrial real estate; administrative reliefs, and many others. Their experience so far forms a rich total portfolio of over 80 companies – local and international, from all sectors of the economy, looking for expertise while starting or expanding their activities in Sofia. You can see the list of services they will provide free of charge within the Sofia IS pro- gramme and the companies in their portfolio in the business cards attached below.
PRO BONO SERVICES
The main characteristics of the labour market in Bulgaria and its regions
Levels of expected remuneration for specific positions
Availability of certain specialists in a given region
Competing companies in terms of human resources in the region
Basic labour law aspects of local legislation
Risk management
Insurance consulting - Consulting in the field of insurance intermediation
HR Consulting - Engagement & Motivation
Initial consultation and identification of the specific needs of the client
Complete information about the current state of the market in office space, logistics facilities, industrial real estate, retail space and the housing market
Preparation of a report on the availa bility of vacant properties in relation to the client & desired segment
Consultations on topics related to human resources
Provision of data on the labour market (levels of remuneration, qualifications, availability of staff, selection deadlines, etc.)
Initial consultation on possible options for the immigration process
Consultation on the necessary permits, description of the process and time frame
Consulting and analysis
Labour Market Research
Participation in joint initiatives
One month free use of coworking desks or one private serviced office
8 hours free use of meeting rooms per month
10% discount on Terrace Lounge Events Space bookings
Free membership in the Entract 127 community and events calendar
10% discount on memberships for mail handling and address registration
Tailor made services on demand
nPloy's 3-month free Subscription Unlimited gives you:
Unlimited job posts + hidden salary ranges
Access to our Talent Pool (user database) where you can proactively reach out to candidates
Multiuser account - up to 40 recruiters
Calendar, chat & video calls
Communication's audit identifying needs and opportunities
Proposal for best communication channels and idea how to use them to drive your business goals
One key illustration / one-section infographic
Analysis of the opportunities for a new company to enter the Bulgarian market.
Strategic plan and consulting to build a unique identity and reputation of the company.
Communication strategy with the most appropriate channels for promoting the company.
THE AGENCY OFFERS
Consultations related to the requirements of local and national legislation, assessment of the business environment and opportunities in a particular industry
Support at every stage of setting up a business - the initial data collection, analysis of the business climate, providing appropriate contacts and advice for finding the best employees and experts, support in choosing a place for an office/production plant, among other services
Sofia Municipality, through the Sofia Municipal Agency for Privatization and Investments, stimulates foreign and local investors through the “Investor Class C” program
We provide reports and statistics about and analysis of the business climate of Sofia
We support public-private partnerships
We assist in financing startups in priority industries
We offer individual service
We provide assistance and support partnerships for the development of ecosystems
We assist in financing startups, using European funds, municipal funds and any other alternative public-private interactions for support
We assist in shortened administrative procedures
We provide investors with a Class C certificate the opportunity to purchase municipal land without a tender
We assist in legal advice
We offer consultations on the labor market and human resources
We offer consultations regarding office, commercial and industrial real estate
We improve the development of cooperation with the administration, business and the academic community
NETWORKING PREMIUM COWORKING
A welcome to our coworking space at 25 Rakovska Street
The guest will receive a membership in our network and acquaintance with the local startup scene so as to enable a soft landing and a rapid process of making connections
The guest will be interviewed for an article that presents him to the ecosystem
The optional soft landing package may include: local SIM card with internet, brochure and marketingma- terials from Invest Sofia, among other items
Position as a guest judge at our monthly startup event
Every month we hold a hot competition for startups, where after a unanimous decision we grant a prize of up to 10 000 BGN as a grant
The position of guest judge has all the advantages of the other judges in the competition
Accommodation option
Depending on interest and availability, our guests will be offered free accommodation in our co-living studios
INITIAL CONSULTATION IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF BUSINESS CONSULTING
Strategy & Execution Consulting
Business Operations Consulting
Finance Consulting
People & Organization Consulting
Digital & Technology Consulting
Corporate Intelligence
INITIAL CONSULTATION IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF DEALS
Corporate Finance
Transaction Advisory
Valuations
Business Recovery Services
Market insights: Asking terms & Achievable terms
Prepare and provide an availability report
A roadmap for securing the right commercial space for your business
Creating a road map for finding and attracting people
Consultation for retention practices
Labor market and wage surveys
Initial consultation: up to 60 minutes within the listed areas of:
Healthcare and Life Science Organisational Development in Bulgaria
Human Capital management within the local BioTech ecosystem
LifeScience start-ups: Access to funding, talent and business infrastructure
Talent pool capacity and sourcing strategies within the healthcare industry
Growth opportunities in the Bulgarian life science sector
Initial consultation (up to three hours) in:
Advice on business strategy development in Bulgaria and abroad
Investment and financial instruments supporting business development in Bulgaria and abroad
Business organisation and development
Our future partners will receive free access to our Present to Succeed conference recordings. In the recordings, you can see the world’s top presentation experts share their invaluable knowledge.
In addition, our partners will also receive a copy of our e-book Presenting Virtually: A Complete Guide to Online Presentations for Business Professionals.
Security audit: Providing a detailed security assessment, including recommendations for security systems, protocols, and procedures.
Technology consulting: Providing a guidance on implementing facility management software, smart building technologies, or other technology solutions to improve the efficiency and reduce costs.
Site inspection: Providing a comprehensive inspection report, including recommendations for maintenance and repairs.
Risk assessment: Providing a detailed risk assessment report, including recommendations for safety improvements and emergency preparedness.
Sustainability consulting: Providing a guidance on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and other sustainability initiatives.
Initial consultations in the scope of:
Grants and incentives
Public procurement
State aid
Global mobility services
Transfer pricing
Corporate tax
Indirect tax
Accounting and payroll services
Legal services
Measuring the pulse of business (Business Diagnostics)
How to improve communication between 25 and 50% - personal profile for each member and partners of Sofia Investment Agency
Participation in business training, together with 20 other business owners and managers
"Business Almanac" and customer magnet or how to increase your profit by more than 61%?
One month subscription to "Business Hub" - an application for online training, everything for business, in one place!
One-time salaries research for up to ten positions chosen by the client
One - time consulting on cultural specifics of Bulgaria and Balkan countries (up to three hours)
Compare your terms to the current market
Identify and highlight areas of potential improvement
Layout utilization review
Prepare an official statement with regards to specific actions and next steps
Expert data analysis of the specific project ideas for business development, targeted on identification of the its feasibility and potential to get funding
Identification of the most appropriate source of funding for the particular project or intension
Determination of the appropriate steps for the preparation of successful project proposal
PRIMARY CONSULTATION with regards to local relocation practices
HINTS ON matters related to local healthcare and healthcare transfer
ORIENTATION related to the formal relocation options the employer has for their foreign employees
Due Diligence / Pre-planning
Inspection of the project site and the available site documentation
Identifying potential issues before they become significant problems to the client / Investor
Assessing the established project budget, needs, and expectations for the project, and suggest alternative methods and materials that may be more cost-effective for client’s goals
BUSINESS CONSULTING
New investments
Existing business operations
Career development
Research
Training programs
Evaluation and assessment strategies
MATERIALS
Reports and analyses of market trends
SATR - Regional "Salary And Furnishments - Trends" Study
Free access to articles and materials in the Manpower SEE ecosystem: Knowledge corner and HR Navigator
Initial consultation and advice on:
Starting business in Bulgaria
Corporate forms and incorporation procedures
Regulatory requirements for starting and conducting business in Bulgaria
Tax and tax compliance matters
GAP analysis and assessment of the organisation's current level of compliance with regulatory requirements in the areas of data protection, information and cyber security such as GDPR, NIS2 and ISO2 7001:2013
Initial consultation relating to the company's ability to apply for European grant funding and an assessment of its capacity
Our team is pleased to provide our future partners and investors in the country with an initial consultation in the following areas:
Selection of an appropriate corporate form for business in Bulgaria
Regulatory regimes
Basic labor law issues of Bulgarian legislation
Migration and relocation. Basic requirements
Opportunities for European Union grant programs
Legal and regulatory framework in the context of the specific investor - requirements, key actors, activities to be undertaken.
Support in solving problems in the energy field, including grid connection and the supply of electricity to the investors' premises.
Analysis of the specific needs of the investor regarding the supply of electricity to his premises - voltage level, consumption and consumption profile.
Support the interaction with the individual participants in the electricity market, including in relation to the grid connection.
SOFIA
ENVIRONMENT FOR NEW INVESTORS
As the largest economic center in the country and the one that has attracted the most investments, Sofia already offers a mature business environment in which the public and private sectors can continue to develop the city’s entrepreneurial spirit. The readiness of local independent expert companies to be part of such a programme supports Sofia’s brand as a regional tech and entrepreneurship center – a place where it is easy to start a new business and where investors will find a friendly and inclusive environment.
Sofia Investment Agency offers free support at every stage of setting up a business in the city – from initial data collection, business climate analysis, assessment of the business environment, opportunities in a particular industry, consultation on the requirements of local and national legislation to networking, support for selection of a place for an office/production base and assistance in going through the necessary administrative procedures before starting operations in the city. With the local companies experience added in a joint initiative for expert support, the Sofia IS programme will provide potential investors with free assistance for the full range of key first steps to establishing a successful business in Sofia.
