Technology Destination for Print

PLOVDIV TECHNOLOGY DESTINATION

QUALIFIED HUMAN BOOMING IT&BPO RESOURCES SECTOR

WELL DEVELOPED B2B FASTEST GROWING ECOSYSTEM CITY

GREAT PLACE FOR HIGH QUALITY R&D AND STARTUPS OF LIFE

2020/2021

TECHNOLOGY DESTINATION PLOVDIV R&D, STARTUPS, OUTSOURCING

PUBLISHED BY PLOVDIV MUNICIPALITY Bulgaria, 4000 Plovdiv, 1 Stefan Stambolov Sq. +359 32 656 727 invest.plovdiv.bg [email protected]

WELCOME TO PLOVDIV

AS THE MAYOR OF PLOVDIV, I AM PROUD TO INTRODUCE THE LATEST REPORT ON THE TECHNOLOGICAL INDUSTRY IN THE SECOND LARGEST CENTER FOR IT&BPO ZDRAVKO DIMITROV IN BULGARIA. Mayor of Plovdiv

‣ If this is the first source of information ‣ Labour productivity in the sector about the economy of the region that increases with an average of 10.6% you come across, we strongly suggest annually looking at the Investment Destination The sector is one of the fastest growing Plovdiv 2020-2021 booklet ‣ and most important ones for the local ‣ Plovdiv is home to 535 000 people economy who live less than 30 minutes away There are 29 vocational schools, from the city center, 86% being ‣ around 9800 students enrolled in between the ages of 20 and 64. Close STEM programs, and over 5500 to 18 000 expats have chosen to move university students in technical studies to Plovdiv ‣ Over 7000 people work in the 100+ IT and BPO companies in the city and as freelancers in the sector Technology Destination Plovdiv 2

Technology Table of contents 4 6 8 INTERNATIONAL HUMAN FUTURE RECOGNITION CAPITAL TALENTS

10 12 14 UNIVERSITY COMPETITIVE IT&BPO EDUCATION LABOR COST ZOOM

16 20 22 MAJOR EMPLOYMENT STARTING COMPANIES CONTRACTS A BUSINESS

24 27 28 R&D QUALITY OFFICE ECOSYSTEM OF LIFE SPACES Technology Destination Plovdiv 3

PLOVDIV AIRPORT

25 minutes from the Plovdiv city center BULGARIA

Plovdiv LONDON: 3 h 25 min (4 times per week)

SOFIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

75 minutes from the Plovdiv city center

main Bulgarian airport with direct flights to about 80 destinations

Flight duration: ISTANBUL: 1 h 30 min VIENNA: 1 h 35 min ROME: 1 h 45 min BERLIN: 2 h 15 min PARIS: 2 h 55 min MADRID: 3 h 50 min

Time zone difference

SAN FRANCISCO USA TOKYO JAPAN TORONTO PLOVDIV CANADA LONDON BULGARIA SHANGHAI UK CHINA BERLIN GERMANY

-10h -7h -2h -1h +5h +6h Technology Destination Plovdiv 4

One of the fastest growing destinations for outsourcing in Europe

Bulgaria has become one of the most attractive outsourcing destinations in the world with its favorable business climate, talented labor pool and increasing quality of life & work

BEST OFFSHORING FINTECH COMPANIES th DESTINATION IN (BIGGEST NUMBER 5 EUROPE 70 IN SEE) Global Services Location Index A.T. Kearney 2019 Unicredit group, 2018

MOST INNOVATIVE BPO PIONEERING rd UPPER MIDDLE- st LOCATION IN 3 INCOME COUNTRY IN 1 EUROPE THE WORLD BPO & Shared services location index Global Innovation Index Cornell 2019 Cushman & Wakefield, 2016

Plovdiv is a rapidly developing destination for international centers of expertise, global business services, financial & accounting operations, and IT companies

BEST FDI STRATEGY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN th AMONG MID-SIZED INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY & 9 CITIES SOURCING ECOSYSTEM Financial Times, fDi Intelligence, 2020 DEVELOPMENT SEE Innovation, ITS Summit 2019

BEST MID-SIZED IN TOP 6 EMERGING CITIES FOR th CITY FOR ITS COST- IT & OUTSOURCING 8 EFFECTIVENESS DEVELOPMENT Financial Times, fDi Intelligence, 2020 Annual CEE Shares Services Awards, 2018 Technology Destination Plovdiv 5

Why Plovdiv?

18 000 EXPATS LIVE IN THE HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE AND CITY AND ITS CLOSEST GREAT WORK-LIFE BALANCE SETTLEMENTS

LEADING UNIVERSITY CENTER OVER 7000 JOBS IN THE WITH OVER 34 000 STUDENTS BOOMING IT&BPO SECTOR

QUALITY EDUCATION IN THE IT&BPO SECTOR IS FOREIGN LANGUAGES, EXPECTED TO GROW WITH FINANCES, ACCOUNTING & ANOTHER 5000 JOBS IN THE COMPUTER SCIENCE NEXT 3-5 YEARS

OVER 100 IT COMPANIES, SHARED SERVICE CENTERS, MORE THAN 40 RENOWNED FINANCIAL OUTSOURCING, FOREIGN INVESTORS CUSTOMER SUPPORT CENTERS IN THE IT&BPO SECTOR AND FINTECH COMPANIES

DIRECT ACCESS TO WELL-CONNECTED CITY A SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO AND AN ALL-IN SERVICE BUSINESS OPERATIONS PACKAGE FOR INVESTORS IN EUROPE Technology Destination Plovdiv 6

HUMAN CAPITAL A DYNAMIC CITY WITH A STEADILY GROWING POPULATION

‣ With its strategic location and good ‣ The high standard of living and a transport connectivity, downtown thriving local economy constantly Plovdiv is accessible in less than attract new citizens. There are 30 minutes by 535 000 people 7500 new inhabitants in the district just in 2019 ‣ There are 179 000 people, between the ages of 20 and 44, that live in ‣ For the past eight years, both the the city or in 30 minutes away from city and the district have been downtown seeing a positive net migration – newcomers outnumber leavers – Plovdiv has a dynamic expat ‣ while nation-wide figures are community, consisting of close to negative 18 000 digital nomads, freelancers, entrepreneurs and students ‣ Plovdiv is particularly appealing high-school and university The number of expats and ‣ students, as well as for young Bulgarians returning from abroad is professionals, this is why it has a growing steadily and in recent years high positive net migration rate in Plovdiv district sees a positive net the age group 10-29 years migration vis-à-vis other countries Technology Destination Plovdiv 7

Population in wider Plovdiv region

Plovdiv 30 min. from downtown

Population (total) 348 000 535 000

20-44 age group 122 000 179 000

45-64 age group 92 000 145 000

Migration at district level

from closest districts 2400 from Sofia 7500 1000 NEW INHABITANTS from abroad 2200 others 1900

+2000 NET ANNUAL 50% CHANGE ½ aged less than 29 years

DIVERSE POPULATION IN WORKING 17 900 AGE IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA EXPATS (30 min. from downtown) (residing in the district for more than 3 months)

Source: NSI, Ministry of interior, 2019 Technology Destination Plovdiv 8

FUTURE TALENTS A NETWORK OF MODERN SCHOOLS PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION

‣ Highest level of penetration of ‣ Cluster of teaching programs for cloud technology in public schools project-based learning, reverse in SEE -100% of Plovdiv Municipal classroom teaching and innovative schools use the top learning education platforms - G-suite for Education An international school providing and Microsoft Office 365 ‣ Cambridge primary curriculum and ‣ Over 500 children use the 1:1 an IB diploma program method where every child has their Many international prizes and own personal device eliminating the ‣ awards by prestigious organizations use of paper school books such as Innovation in Politics, the completely Visegrad Fund and the Financial ‣ First Google reference school in Times SEE ‣ 24 dual education classes, financed ‣ The only Bulgarian city in the by 31 companies in the school year UNESCO global network of learning 2019/2020 cities ‣ 9800 students enrolled in STEM ‣ Among the largest Montessori programs and basic programming learning communities with over courses in the primary schools 100 teachers and 1400 children ‣ 78 vocational training centers and ‣ Programs for early career 10 applied science institutes and orientation labs Technology Destination Plovdiv 9

High school education 66 7 HIGH SCHOOLS, FOREIGN 16 700 students in INCL. VOCATIONAL LANGUAGE & MATH advanced or SCHOOLS intermediate study 23 300 4500 of foreign languages STUDENTS GRADUATES

with finance, with computer accounting & 3050 science & math 2420 business students profiles students administration profiles

Source: Regional Department of Education, NSI (data on district level for 2019/2020) Leading schools in Plovdiv

High School Proﬁles

Math High School „Acad. Kiril Popov“ Mathematics, Computer Science

Language School „Ivan Vazov” Spanish, Italian, English, German, French

National High School of Commerce Accounting, Banking, Management

Language School „Plovdiv” English, German

Vocational High School of Computer Science, Automation, Electrotechnics and Electronics Microprocessor Technologies

Business Management & Administration 46 NUMBER OF Finance & Accounting VOCATIONAL TRAINING 37 CENTERS OFFERING Engineering & Electrics COURSES IN: 26 IT & Graphic Design 17 Source: NAVET, 2019 Technology Destination Plovdiv 10

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION PLOVDIV IS THE LEADING UNIVERSITY CENTER IN SOUTHERN BULGARIA

There are 33 900 students studying in in the city, with Plovdiv University and 9 universities in Plovdiv. The city is a Technical University Sofia - Plovdiv reputable centеr for the training of Branch having solid traditions in the specialists in the fields of information preparation of good mathematicians technology, finance, accounting, legal and programmers. and language studies. The high-quality The availability of highly-qualified labor training is a result of the collaboration resources is one of the key between universities and businesses advantages of Plovdiv. Besides many already operating in the outsourcing university students, there are 100 000 sector, as well as the fast pace of its people in Plovdiv district, aged 25-64 development in the region. Some years, with tertiary education. companies encourage their own professionals to teach classes in The share of the population with certain areas of high-interest. completed tertiary education in Plovdiv and the whole South-Central region of Many of the companies operating here Bulgaria is higher than that in many select their staff in the early stages of other European outsourcing regions, their higher education. Specialties that like those around Zilina in Slovakia and are important for the IT&BPO sector Cluj-Napoca in Romania. are offered in most of the universities Technology Destination Plovdiv 11

9 33 900 10 900 students UNIVERSITIES STUDENTS in IT&BPO related fields 7400 3300 for 2019/2020 GRADUATES FOREIGN STUDENTS

Business Communication & Finance & Management & Information Language Computer Legal Accounting Administration Technologies Studies Technologies Studies

3200 2400 1920 1520 1090 770

Source: Plovdiv universities (data for 2019/2020)

Plovdiv district South-central Bulgaria

Population aged 25-64 with tertiary education 100 000 178 000

Source: NSI, 2018

Population aged 25-64 with university degree in selected outsourcing regions

SOUTHEASTERN VOJVODINA, SERBIA 25.8% CZECHIA 20.3% (incl. Novi Sad) (incl. Brno)

SOUTH-CENTRAL NORTHERN GREAT 22.7% BULGARIA 18.5% PLANE HUNGARY (incl. Plovdiv) (incl. Debrecen)

CENTRAL SLOVAKIA NORTHWESTERN 21.6% (incl. Zilina) 17.7% ROMANIA (incl. Cluj Napoca)

Source: Eurostat, 2018 Technology Destination Plovdiv 12

COMPETITIVE LABOR COST STEADILY GROWING SUPPLY OF QUALIFIED LABOR

IT&Telecommunication labor costs in encourages employers to hire trainees, Bulgaria are 23% lower than those in for example junior developers, whose other outsourcing destinations such as wages are below the indicated Hungary and Poland, and 35% lower average. than those in Slovakia. Moreover, the Many young people in Plovdiv are average salary in the sector in Plovdiv interested not only in good is 22% lower than that in the capital renumeration packages, but also in Sofia. career development opportunities and The steady growth of labor trainings, employer branding, and productivity leads to an increase in additional perks and benefits. The high wages in the sector. In recent years, quality of life in the city and the great wages in IT managed to surpass those work-life balance are another incentive in the traditionally prestigious finance for attracting employees from other and energy sectors, thus attracting regions or even from abroad. Many local talent and highly-skilled workers specialists are attracted by the from other regions. However, the modern trends in the world of growth of labor productivity outpaces technologies such as data analytics, the increase in wages. The demand for cloud computing, machine learning, staff with the necessary competencies and internet of things. Technology Destination Plovdiv 13

Gross wages in IT&BPO in Plovdiv, €/month (2021 forecast)

SHARED-SERVICES IT COMPANIES Min Max CENTERS Min Max

QA Manual Customer Support Representa/ves • Junior Level 660 1190 • Junior Level 590 730 • Experienced 1580 2030 • Experienced 860 1190

QA Automated Sales Specialists • Junior Level 790 1320 • Junior Level 730 790 • Experienced 1920 2370 • Experienced 860 1190

Developers Oﬃce Managers & Assistants • Junior Level 990 1690 • Junior Level 660 730 • Experienced 1920 2830 • Experienced 860 990

Web Content Publishers & CMS Administrators Finance & Accoun/ng • Junior Level 530 790 • Junior Level 730 920 • Experienced 990 1450 • Experienced 1120 1450

Graphic Designers - Pre-Press • Junior Level 530 790 For wages up to €1534 total • Experienced 1050 1450 labor cost includes gross wage plus 18.9% mandatory Graphic Designers - Crea/ve social security contributions • Junior Level 660 990 paid by employer. • Experienced 1190 1580 For wages over €1534 total System Administrators labor cost includes gross • Junior Level 660 990 wage plus lump sum €290 • Experienced 1450 1800 Source: Trakia Economic Zone Technology Destination Plovdiv 14

IT&BPO ZOOM A RAPIDLY CHANGING LANDSCAPE AND A STRONG GROWTH STORY

Currently Plovdiv offers a qualified and services have been among the most well-trained labor force for over 100 IT dynamic sectors, providing new job companies, financial & accounting opportunities. The local IT sector has outsourcing companies, customer been one of the very few sectors support centers, fintech startups, which have experienced steady growth global business and shared server in the past decade. Business process centers. Plovdiv is the region with the outsourcing is another rapidly largest number of people working in developing service sector taking IT&BPO in the country, next only to the advantage of the availability of the capital Sofia. young and well-educated labor force. The IT&BPO sector has a growth Moreover, the sector has undergone a potential of about 5000 jobs in the huge expansion in recent years, next 3-5 years, estimated by the think reaching over 7000 employees at tank Trakia Tech. present. With its good business climate, highly qualified specialists, Due to its success in attracting great work-life balance and support investors, the city was ranked among from the local Municipality, Plovdiv the top 10 mid-sized cities with best attracts many international investors. FDI strategy in 2020 according to Information technology and business Financial Times. Technology Destination Plovdiv 15

IT, BPO & related business services

+15.8% +12.6% +10.6%

+3.6%

PRODUCTIVITY EMPLOYMENT VALUE ADDED TURNOVER

*Average annual change for 2010-2018 Source: NSI (data on district level)

Follow the successful

SBTech Reward Gateway provides sports betting solutions helps companies attract, engage and a full range of management and retain their best people with an services for over 50 partners employee engagement platform. worldwide. The company is part of Clients include American Express, DraftKings, a company listed on Unilever, Samsung, IBM and the Nasdaq Stock. McDonald's.

ScaleFocus Sutherland Global Services is a supplier for IT solutions’ is a process transformation implementation and technology company, helping customers across consultancy. Recognized by industries from financial services to Financial Times as one of Europe’s health care. In Bulgaria the 1000 fastest growing companies company provides technical for 2019. support and customer service.

Modis Bulpros has locations and consultants across is a global IT and BPO services, 20 countries and four continents. solutions and product provider, Modis Bulgaria delivers IT service recognized by the rankings from desk, data center and network Deloitte "Technology Fast 50 in CE" services, application development and "Technology Fast 500 in and support, and BPO services. Europe, Middle East, and Africa". Technology Destination Plovdiv 16

Major companies

Many international and fast-growing Bulgarian IT companies are present in Plovdiv. They serve the global markets, including many Fortune 500 companies. A popular trend is the development of products, based on @ disruptive technologies, such as cloud computing, big data and AI.

FINANCIAL OUTSOURCING

With a high quality of education in finances and accounting, the city started attracting companies specializing in billing, cash management and cost $ accounting. The local ecosystem also provides opportunities for outsourcing credit management, financial reporting, forecasting and budgeting.

SSC & GBS

The first wave of such shared service and global business centers in Plovdiv were manufacturing companies, that started to nearshore not just their production activities, but also procurement, supply chain management, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, etc.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Call centers played major role in establishing Plovdiv as one of the major outsourcing destinations in SEE. The good knowledge of foreign languages attracted many international companies to the city.

KPO

Plovdiv Municipality, in close cooperation with the private sector and educational and science institutions, is creating a suitable environment for knowledge-based process outsourcing. The city already hosts companies that have outsourced their R&D, analytics and insight activities.

STARTUPS

With its good quality of life and work-life balance, Plovdiv has attracted close to 18 000 expats, digital nomads and small startup teams, developing niche offerings in areas such as fintech, blockchain, AI and data analytics. Technology Destination Plovdiv 17

SCOPE OF SCOPE OF COMPANY BUSINESS HQ COMPANY BUSINESS HQ

Consult Custom Software 60K Customer Support ! Commerce Development !

A Data Pro Data Analytics ! CRA Services Data Analytics ( Shared Service ABB SSC Center Activities " DATA+ BPM Solutions ! Custom Software E-Trade Platforms Delta Source Accenture Development ) Development # E-Commerce Big Data, AI, Cloud Digistore 24 Adastra Platform ( Services $ IT Teams App Development, DNH Soft Outstaffing, Cloud ! Amexis BI, Data ! Services Warehouse Hosting Solutions, Salesforce Euroweb APT Systems Web-Design ( Integration !

Arcade Retail Customer Support ! Cloud Computing, Elders Distributed ! Custom Software Systems BGO Software Development ! Enigma Antivirus Software Financial Software BPO Bulgaria Development & Outsourcing % Group

Broadcom Semiconductor Cloud Services, Bulgaria Development & Equipment Evolink Colocation, ! Specialised Networking BS Software Technologies ! Development Football Data Analytics Radar % Sport Platforms Bulanet Development ' Hemisphere E-Trade Platforms Commerce Development % Cloud Services, Bulpros Industrial ! Hosting Digitalisation Hosting Solutions Solutions ! Cloudtech Hosting Solutions ! ICYGEN Web Design & Custom Software Code Nest Development ! IKOM Telematics; IOT * Technology Destination Plovdiv 18

SCOPE OF SCOPE OF COMPANY BUSINESS HQ COMPANY BUSINESS HQ

FullStack Data, Specialised Infinite Cloud Solutions, Outcons Software Lambda % ! DevOps Development Pentagon E-Commerce Intech Group Customer Support ! Interactive %

Microsoft Stack; Plutus BG Digital Marketing InterConsult ! PoC; Process Bulgaria ! Custom Software Automation Podix Development , Web Design, IT Academy Custom B2B Hosting Solutions ! Prime Software Holding ! Specialised Development Kodar Software ! Custom Software Development Programista Development ! m+w Media Web Design Networks ! OS Development, Apps Development, Proxiad Media IT Operational , Custom Software Services Maintenance Development ( Bulgaria Real Time Specialised Online Betting Games MentorMate Software Solutions ! & Development Development

Network E-Trade Platforms Modis Retail Direct Management; Development % Bulgaria IT&Desk Support + HR Management Reward Products Specialised Gateway % Niset Software ! Development Development Insurance Software Revauxy CRM; E-Trade Development ! Novarto Ltd. Platforms ! Tech Security Development Risco Group Systems Provider ' OptiCentre Web Design ! SBTech Sport Platforms Global Specialised Development ' Orak Limited Software Engineering ! Development Database SBND Digital Marketing; Development, SEO, ORM.Bg Technologies ! Branding; PR ! System Design Technology Destination Plovdiv 19

SCOPE OF SCOPE OF COMPANY BUSINESS HQ COMPANY BUSINESS HQ

Cloud Services, Telus Customer Custom ScaleFocus International Support $ Solutions, BPM, ! EAI E-Commerce, B2B Software Tendrik Web Design, Seeburger ! Development ( Online Marketing

SelMatic ERP, POS, CRM Trio Interactive ! Web Design International ( ASIC; FPGA; SIBIZ Firmware ! Custom Software TSD Services Development ! B2B Software SIS Technology Development ! TTEC Eastern Customer Hosting Europe Support & SiteGround Solutions ! Uniqa Software Insurance Networking Speed Services Software Solutions ! - Bulgaria Ltd Support Web Design, Speedflow Hosting Custom Software Communications % Vertinity Ltd. Solutions Development ! QA, Software SQA Service Testing ! Viking Shared Service Lifesaving Center Activities . SAP; ERP; Equipment BGS Stemo Cloud-Based ! Solutions Hosting Viscomp Solutions, Strypes DevOps ( / Web Design

Sutherland Customer 3D Modeling, Global Services Support & Visrez Graphics, VR #

E-Trade and Specialised Е-Gaming TechHudle % VSG Bulgaria Software & Platforms Development Development

Westernacher SAP Consulting GIS; Custom Consulting ( TechnoLogica Software ! Development Etc. Technology Destination Plovdiv 20

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS LABOR LAW BASED ON PRINCIPLES APPLICABLE THROUGHOUT THE EU

The Bulgarian labor legislation is investments made is provided for by applicable to all labor relationships the Investment Promotion Act for between Bulgarian citizens, citizens of investors, certified by the Bulgarian the European Union, citizens of the Investment Agency. states which are parties to the EU citizens do not need a visa to stay Agreement of the European Economic and work in Bulgaria and can obtain Area, and employers in the Republic of long-term residence permit in less than Bulgaria. The Bulgarian labor law is 24 hours. Non-EU citizens, who based on some general principles perform highly skilled labor, can apply such as freedom and protection of for the EU Blue Card. In order to labor, fixed working hours, guaranteed obtain one, the applicants must be rests and leaves, equal pay between university graduates and have secured men and women, limitation on a work contract with a Bulgarian overtime work, etc. EU social employer. The card gives its holder legislation applies in Bulgaria. extended rights to stay in the country Financial support for training for for the duration of the contract or up acquiring professional qualifications of to 4 years and allows traveling within persons occupying newly opened the EU. positions in connection with the Technology Destination Plovdiv 21

Types of Contract Paid Leave • Indefinite period of time • Minimum of 20 work days per calendar year • Limited period of time • 8 months minimum employment service as a condition for claiming a paid annual leave

Regular Working Hours • 8 hours per day Unpaid Leave • 40 hours per week • Up to 30 days unpaid leave per one calendar year is recognized as a period of service

Night Work • Work performed Trial Period between 10.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m. • 6 months maximum trial period can be • 7 hours per night stipulated in the employment contract • 35 hours per week Notice Period Rests • 30 days for an indefinite period employment • 30 minutes minimum lunch break contract 12 hours daily rest • 3 months for a fixed term employment • contract

Source: Bulgarian Labor Code

• Training Programs • Team Activities • Relax Zones PERKS PROVIDED • Employee Referal Programs BY • Work From Home Opportunities COMPANIES • Flexible Working Time IN PLOVDIV • Additional Healthcare / Pension Fund • Sport Cards • Discount Vouchers Technology Destination Plovdiv 22

STARTING A BUSINESS FOREIGN EQUITY PARTICIPATION CAN BE UP TO 100%

Bulgaria has undertaken substantial The limited liability company is a reforms to align its regulations and preferred form of business entity institutions with the most efficient because of the limited liability of the practices in business registration. The shareholders, the minimum capital country introduced one-stop shop requirement of €1 and the simplified consolidating requirements from corporate governance structure. several agencies, created a centralized Foreign legal entities can also register electronic database for commercial a branch. Its assets and liabilities are registration, introduced statutory time considered ones of the mother limits and enabled electronic company. The minimum registered registration. capital required for the formation of joint-stock company is €25 565. Registering a company through a lawyer will cost €150 for lawyer fees, When starting a business in Plovdiv, as well as additional administrative investors will benefit from a single and bank costs, as described in the point of contact in Plovdiv Municipality workflow chart. Foreign investors in & an all-in package of services, Bulgaria will have to follow the same including preliminary researches and regulations and procedures when consultations, staff recruitment starting a business as local ones. support, local media promotion, etc. Technology Destination Plovdiv 23

Bulgaria has aligned its regulations & institutions with the most efficient practices in business registration

Workflow of registering a company

Have company documents notarized 1 day 1 €50 fees

Deposit paid-up capital in a bank 1 day 2 €30 bank fees

+€150 lawyer fees for registering a company

Cost of starting a new company SIMPLE TAX SYSTEM (% of income per capita) OF FLAT RATES: 10% personal income Europe & Central OECD High Bulgaria Asia Income 20% VAT 1.0 4.0 3.0 14.5% distributed profit

Source: World Bank, Doing Business database, 2020 Technology Destination Plovdiv 24

R&D ECOSYSTEM FAVORABLE CONDITIONS FOR APPLIED RESEARCH LABS

Plovdiv provides all the necessary Moreover, Plovdiv is the only Bulgarian prerequisites for the development of city member of the UNESCO Global R&D centers, knowledge-based Network of Learning Cities which process outsourcing and centers of supports and improves the practice of expertise. The city has a well- lifelong learning. developed network of modern Plovdiv hosts a wide variety of tech research centers, laboratories and events and has a wide network of IT science institutes in mechatronics, academies and centers that offer non- food-tech, and biotech among others. formal education in web and graphic The Bulgarian Academy of Science, design, agile methodologies, the business sector, the universities automated software testing, C#, Java, and Plovdiv Municipality work in close MYSQL, Linux Administration, etc. cooperation for the development of These academies offer courses for the local ecosystem. A huge boost for both children and adults, some of the R&D ecosystem in the city will be them being free of charge. A widely the Center for plant systems biology accepted practice is the creation of in- and biotechnology PlantaSyst that is house schools and training academies. currently being built and is worth over €15 million. Technology Destination Plovdiv 25

Applied science institutes and labs

Name Scope of work Website

Center of PlantaSYST Biology Molecular Biology, Functional Genomics, plantasyst.eu & Biotechnology Metabolomics, Bioinformatics, Plant Genetics

Central Laboratory of Applied Nanostructured and Nanosized Coatings and Physics & Research Center in Thin Layers, Semiconductor Materials and clap-bas.com Mechatronics and Structures, Energy-Saving and Ecological Nanotechnologies LED Systems

In Vitro Propagation of Planting Material, fruitgrowinginstitute.com Fruit Growing Institute Chemical and Technological Research

Center of Competence “Smart Intelligent Mechatronic Systems and Mechatronics, Eco- and Technologies, Energy Saving and Clean tu-plovdiv.bg Energy Saving Systems and Technologies Technologies”

Institute of Fisheries and Scientific and Research Activities in the Field ira-plovdiv.bg Aquaculture of Aquacultures

Institute of Robotics - Industrial and Service Robotics; 3D Design ir.bas.bg Plovdiv Branch and Printing, Sensors, Hall Elements

Laboratory of Bioactive Isolation, Purification, Structure Modification orgchm.bas.bg Substances of Polysaccharides, Food Chemistry

Laboratory Complex for Analysis of Water, Soil, Seeds, Fruits and au-plovdiv.bg Chemical and Instrumental Vegetable Analysis

National Institute of Full Monitoring of the Meteorological and plovdiv.meteo.bg Meteorology and Hydrology - Agrometeorological Elements Branch Plovdiv

Food Research and Food & Beverages Analysis and Testing, uft-plovdiv.bg Technology Transfer Center Machinery Evaluation

Major tech events

Jan • Plovdiv Game Jam •International Technical Fair (in 2021) Sep •Gamer & Hardware Weekend • TuxCon May •Digital 4 Plovdiv • TechSys

• International Conference of •Annual Business Forum “Industry 4.0” July Oct Young Scientists •Career Days “IT, Communications & Outsourcing” Technology Destination Plovdiv 26 Technology Destination Plovdiv 27

Readily available modern office spaces at affordable prices

9-12 €/m2 4-6 €/m2 IT&BPO companies MONTHLY RENTS MONTHLY RENTS are a major driver of FOR OFFICE CLASS A FOR OFFICE CLASS B the office market

Source: Trakia Economic Zone

MAJOR OFFICE CENTERS MAJOR CO-WORKING PLACES

Business Centre Angelov PIMK Office Center Cat & Mouse Coworking businesscentreangelov.com pimkbuild.bg catandmouse.bg

Capital City Center Plovdiv Plaza Colorking capitalcitycenter.bg plovdivplaza.bg colorking.com

Capital Trade Center Regus Ji4ka capitaltradecenter.bg regus.bg ji4ka.com

Kamenitza Office Park Rilon Center Networking Premium kamenitzapark.bg rilon-center.business.site networking.space

Office Park Plovdiv Royal City Business Park Regus officeparkplovdiv.com galaxy-bg.com regus.bg

Office spaces Class A 430 000 m2 and similar approved for non-housing

construction in 2019 Occupied 53 000 m2 (incl. office spaces, industrial spaces, hotels and retail spaces) Under Construction 45 000 m2

Source: NSI (data on district level) Source: Plovdiv Municipality Technology Destination Plovdiv 28

A city known and preferred for its quality of life and work-leisure balance

STADIUMS & SPORT €5.10 Lunch menu 81 FACILITIES €1.30 Cappuccino 300 SUNNY DAYS €1.20 Domestic beer 52 km BIKE LANES Public transport €0.51 2200 m REGATTA VENUE (one-way ticket) Taxi journey of 5 km HILLS IN THE CITY €2.70 6 CENTER (3 miles) Parking in city center PARKS & GARDENS 76 €1 (per hour) 500+ CULTURAL EVENTS Gym membership €24.90 (monthly fee) MUSEUMS & 50+ GALLERIES €6.10 Cinema ticket

700+ CULTURAL SIGHTS Private kindergarten €231 (per month) 3 OPEN AIR THEATRES 1-bedroom appartment CINEMAS €255 in city center (rent 6 (with 25 screens) perm month)

15 4* & 5* HOTELS €88 Average basic utilities

KAPANA CREATIVE Internet 1 DISTRICT €12 (1 Gbps connection)

Source: Plovdiv Municipality Source: Numbeo, 2020

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2019plovdiv Plovdiv2019 European Capital plovdiv2019 plovdiv2019 www.plovdiv2019.eu of Culture www.visitplovdiv.com CREATING A BUSINESS-FRIENDLY CITY

PLOVDIV MUNICIPALITY

Bulgaria, 4000 Plovdiv, 1 Stefan Stambolov Sq. +359 32 656 727 invest.plovdiv.bg [email protected]