CCBRE at the launch of the India–Bulgaria SITE Network

We took part in a high-level event organised by Trakia Economic Zone (TEZ). This event brought together representatives from the Indian Embassy in Bulgaria, Indian investors and academic leaders from major Plovdiv universities. The meeting marked the official launch of the India–Bulgaria SITE Network - a new initiative led by The Bharat Technology & Impact Accelerator (Bharatia), that aims to create a corridor of innovation, investment, and impact between the two countries.

The event offered inspiring insights into fostering collaboration between the two countries in the fields of science, technology, and higher education. A key announcement was the planned opening of an Applied Science Centre in India in January 2026. This centre will support research and innovation at Technology Readiness Levels 5 and above. Their mission is to help bridge the so-called 'Valley of Death' in innovation by turning proven concepts into scalable, market-ready solutions.

Unlike many European institutions, which focus on early-stage research (TRL 0–4), the new Indian centre will provide support for projects and industrial partnerships that are ready to grow. This creates a clear opportunity for collaboration with CCBRE and other European partners whose early-stage innovations could be scaled up through this Indian initiative.

Strengthening Educational and Cultural Bridges

The Indian Ambassador highlighted the broader vision for cooperation between Bulgaria and India, which extends beyond innovation and business to encompass education and talent exchange. He emphasised the ongoing efforts to prepare Indian high school graduates for international studies by offering them tailored language and cultural integration programmes. These programmes include six-month orientation courses designed to help students adapt before they begin their studies in Bulgaria and other European countries.

New Connections and Future Prospects

The event also featured an Indian private investor who now resides in Plovdiv after enjoying a long career in the international steel industry. Informal discussions explored potential synergies in sustainable industrial practices and investment opportunities in Bulgaria's green economy. We hope to continue this promising dialogue through future introductions and collaborative channels.

Beyond the Indian partnership dimension, the event also fostered new local academic connections. Dr Hadi Mahdipour from CCBRE established contact with Associate Professor Hristian Panayotov from the Technical University – Branch Plovdiv. Discussions revealed shared interests in technology-driven research and cleantech development, which could form the basis of future joint projects.

Looking Ahead

We welcome the vision behind the India–Bulgaria SITE Network and the collaborative spirit it fosters in the fields of science, innovation, and entrepreneurship. We are looking forward to working closely with TEZ, the Indian Embassy, and academic partners from both countries to transform this initiative into practical projects that will have a tangible impact.