This summer marked a special milestone for Future Unicorns, the celebration of our 10th cohort and of a growing community that’s redefining what it means to build global companies from Central and Eastern Europe.
Our Summer Gathering in Sofia brought together members of the local ecosystem to celebrate how far the region has come, and how far it can go when founders, mentors, and partners come together with a shared purpose. The event gathered the ecosystem’s heartbeat: founders pitching what’s next, mentors sharing hard-earned lessons, and partners raising a glass to the journey we’re all building together.
Five of the startups took the stage: CulturePulse, Omnisearch, Petsy, Bronia AI, and Moveo.AI, showcasing the kind of ambition and clarity that have become the hallmark of Future Unicorns. Alongside them, we celebrated the ten exceptional companies in the cohort: EPIX.AI, ufleet, Mirror360, Team Schedule, and AdScout, each pushing forward in industries from AI and automation to HR tech, mobility, and beyond.
What made the evening truly special was the conversations that followed. Honest reflections about scaling, the reality of international expansion, and the courage it takes to turn vision into traction. It was a moment to pause and recognize that the ecosystem in CEE is producing founders who think globally from day one.
The mentorship network within Future Unicorns plays a big role in that mindset. Our mentors have built and scaled companies in some of the most demanding markets in the world. Many have founded more than once or held senior roles in global enterprises. They understand not only how to grow but also when to hold back, when to pivot, and how to prepare for the long game. That kind of practical knowledge is what helps founders navigate the path from strong regional traction to global relevance.
For the startups in this cohort, these types of exchanges are defining for their journeys forward. Some fine-tuned their product positioning, others built sharper go-to-market strategies or gained perspective on fundraising across borders. All of them experienced the value of having a network that pushes them to think more critically, execute faster, and support one another. In an ecosystem where building can often feel like a solitary effort, that sense of shared progress is what keeps founders moving forward.
As Future Unicorns turns a page with its 10th cohort, our mission remains the same: to empower founders from Bulgaria and across CEE with the knowledge, network, and exposure needed to scale globally. What started as a bridge between regional potential and Silicon Valley opportunity has now grown into a thriving ecosystem, where each new cohort stands on the shoulders of the last.
The region still faces challenges. CEE has exceptional engineering talent and a growing number of successful startups, but access to international capital, experienced mentors, and global market exposure is still uneven. Future Unicorns exists to help close that gap. The goal is to expose founders here to the same level of insight and opportunity as those in the world’s largest tech hubs.
Ten cohorts in, the milestones speak for themselves, with founders who’ve gone on to raise global rounds, enter new markets, and build sustainable growth engines. Mentors and investors from across continents come together around a shared belief: that talent from this region doesn’t need to leave to make a global impact, but it does need the right connections and support.
None of this would be possible without the partners who believe in the same mission. We owe special thanks to the America for Bulgaria Foundation, our longest-standing supporter, whose trust and commitment have been instrumental since the early days. And to VEDA Accounting, one of our newer allies, for joining us in backing the next generation of founders scaling from the region. A big thank-you also goes to Sabale, who hosted us for the evening, with great food, cocktails, and a setting that perfectly matched the spirit of celebration.
As we look ahead to the next cohort and the next wave of founders ready to scale beyond borders, to build their future together, we’re grateful for all the support of the local community without which none of these achievements would have been possible.
