Cleantech Bulgaria
Cleantech Bulgaria is a Sofia-based nonprofit foundation and business network connecting Bulgarian startups, SMEs, municipalities, and academia to European clean technology ecosystems. It serves as Bulgaria's hub manager for EIT Food and EIT Manufacturing, coordinating EU-funded climate, sustainability, and training programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersSofia, Bulgaria
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Cleantech Bulgaria does
Cleantech Bulgaria (legal name: Фондация Клийнтех България / Foundation Cleantech Bulgaria) is a Sofia-based nonprofit foundation founded in 2011 that operates as a business network and intermediary connecting Bulgarian startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, municipalities, large enterprises, and academic institutions to European clean technology innovation ecosystems. The organization serves as the official national hub manager for EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing, and EIT RIS Hub Bulgaria, and acts as the designated national coordinator of the European Climate Pact in Bulgaria. Its operations are anchored in coordinating and participating in EU-funded programs spanning Interreg Europe, Erasmus+, Digital Europe Programme, and Horizon Europe.
The organization delivers a portfolio of professional services rather than building proprietary technology products: project management for innovative projects, startup acceleration, business development, training for entrepreneurial skills and innovation management, sustainable consulting (analysis, strategies, and capacity building), and pilot project implementation in municipalities and companies. Its operational product surface includes the Academy for Sustainability online learning platform (engaging over 3,000 companies), the TRANSFORMATOR two-month accelerator (with Social Innovation Solutions, Coca-Cola Foundation, and United Bulgarian Bank), the ENDURANCE green accelerator, the MASTERY micro-credentials program (8 partners, 5 EU countries), the Agri-Digi Transform program under the European Digital Innovation Hub for Agriculture (AgroHub.bg), and projects including DRIVE (rural bioeconomy), BOOST (research and innovation in Widening countries), RISE (20 countries, 100+ SMEs), and Circular Minds (Interreg Europe, Municipality of Kardzhali). The technology layer is limited to standard web publishing and a self-serve course platform; no AI, ML, or proprietary software is referenced.
Revenue is generated primarily through EU project coordination grants, corporate sponsor funding (notably Coca-Cola Foundation and United Bulgarian Bank), and sustainable consulting fees to companies and public institutions. The Academy for Sustainability is offered free of charge to participants under a freemium pricing model. Customer segments span named entities including Sofia Municipality (Green Sofia project), Zagorka (green initiatives and entrepreneurial programs), Biomyc Ltd. (biotech startup support and funding), and UNWE (academic-industry bridge), with additional logos including IKEA Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water. Distribution is community-led and event-driven, leveraging forums (Forum 'Circular Economy and Clean Technologies' organized in 2018 under Bulgaria's EU Council Presidency), bootcamps, EU consortium partnerships, and direct enterprise consulting supported by an active social media presence on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X/Twitter.
Cleantech Bulgaria firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cleantech Bulgaria
- Legal name
- Фондация Клийнтех България (Foundation Cleantech Bulgaria)
- Website
- https://cleantech.bg
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cleantech Bulgaria is a Sofia-based nonprofit foundation and business network connecting Bulgarian startups, SMEs, municipalities, and academia to European clean technology ecosystems. It serves as Bulgaria's hub manager for EIT Food and EIT Manufacturing, coordinating EU-funded climate, sustainability, and training programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cleantech Bulgaria industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sustainability and Clean Technology Consulting Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Climate Resilience & Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) (BPAGABAK)
Keywords
Where Cleantech Bulgaria is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sofia
- HQ country
- Bulgaria
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Cleantech Bulgaria business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- EU Project Management and Coordination: Cleantech Bulgaria generates revenue through managing and participating in EU-funded projects under programs such as Interreg Europe, Erasmus+, Digital Europe Programme, and Horizon Europe. As a hub manager for EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing, and EIT RIS, the organization receives funding to coordinate innovation activities and support startups and SMEs in accessing European funding opportunities.
- Sustainable Consulting Services: The organization provides consulting services for sustainable growth including analysis, strategies, and capacity building for companies and public institutions. Services include project preparation and management for innovative projects targeting companies and public institutions.
- Training and Education Programs: Cleantech Bulgaria delivers training programs for entrepreneurial skills development and innovation management. Programs like the Academy for Sustainability offer free courses on sustainability practices, circular economy, and resource management to businesses and public sector employees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free training programs through Academy for Sustainability |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Cleantech Bulgaria product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cleantech Bulgaria is a nonprofit business network foundation that provides professional services in clean technology innovation and sustainable development, including project management, startup acceleration, business development, training, sustainable consulting, and pilot project implementation. The organization coordinates multiple EU-funded programs (Sustainability Academy, ENDURANCE, MASTERY, Agri-Digi Transform, TRANSFORMATOR, BOOST, RISE, Circular Minds) and serves as hub manager for EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing, and ECO RIS, as well as the national coordinator of the European Climate Pact in Bulgaria.
Product overview
Cleantech Bulgaria is a business network foundation (Фондация Клийнтех България) for clean technologies, innovation, and sustainable development. The organization does not offer a unified software product but rather provides a portfolio of professional services including: Project Management, Acceleration, Business Development, Training, Sustainable Consulting, and Pilot Projects. Additionally, Cleantech Bulgaria manages multiple EU-funded programs and initiatives including the Sustainability Academy (Академия за устойчивост), ENDURANCE accelerator program, MASTERY micro-credentials initiative, Agri-Digi Transform agricultural digitalization program, TRANSFORMATOR sustainability program, BOOST innovation project, RISE innovation ecosystem project, and Circular Minds circular procurement project. The organization serves as a hub manager for EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing, and ECO RIS Hub.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Transformator: A joint initiative between Social Innovation Solutions, Coca-Cola Foundation, Cleantech Bulgaria, and United Bulgarian Bank supporting sustainable transformation of SMEs and NGOs.
- Sustainability Academy
Products and services
- Project Management (Управление на проекти)
Quantifiable outcome
- Academy for Sustainability initiative unites over 3000 companies
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Cleantech Bulgaria
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Cleantech Bulgaria technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Cleantech Bulgaria partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Social Innovation Solutions (SIS)coreSocial Innovation Solutions is the lead partner for the Academy for Sustainability initiative in Bulgaria. SIS co-developed the TRANSFORMATOR program with Coca-Cola Foundation and implements it in partnership with Cleantech Bulgaria and United Bulgarian Bank.
- EIT FoodcoreCleantech Bulgaria serves as Hub Manager for EIT Food in Bulgaria. EIT Food is Europe's largest food innovation initiative, part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The partnership enables access to Europe's leading food innovation ecosystem and supports the development of innovative solutions for sustainable food systems.
- JA BulgariacoreJA Bulgaria and Cleantech Bulgaria jointly represent the EIT Community RIS Hub in Bulgaria, connecting regional participants, innovators, and partners with Europe's largest innovation ecosystem. Both organizations focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development.
- Municipality of KardzhalimajorPartner in the Circular Minds project under Interreg Europe. The municipality collaborates with Cleantech Bulgaria to introduce circular economy principles in public procurement processes over a four-year project period.
- EIT ManufacturingcoreAs hub manager for EIT Manufacturing, Cleantech Bulgaria connects Bulgarian manufacturers with Europe's largest network for innovation in manufacturing. The partnership supports SMEs and startups in accessing funding, mentorship, and European markets for innovative manufacturing solutions.
- European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) - Knowledge and Innovation CommunitiescoreAt the 2018 Forum 'Circular Economy and Clean Technologies', six EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities participated in an 'Innovation Dialogue', bringing together Europe's top innovation leaders. EIT coordinates Europe's largest innovation ecosystem addressing challenges including climate, energy, health, food, manufacturing, and raw materials.
- Ministry of Environment and Water (Bulgaria)coreThe Ministry of Environment and Water provided patronage for the 2018 Forum 'Circular Economy and Clean Technologies', which was included in the official calendar of Bulgaria's EU Council Presidency.
- European Climate PactcoreCleantech Bulgaria is the official national coordinator of the European Climate Pact activities in Bulgaria. The organization coordinates the network of Climate Pact Ambassadors and implements awareness and action programs for climate neutrality.
- KRIB (Club for Reality-based Innovation)minorCleantech Bulgaria is a member of KRIB, a Bulgarian business innovation club that connects companies and organizations focused on real-world innovation and sustainable development.
- European Commission - DG REGIOcoreThe European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy supports Cleantech Bulgaria's activities in the S3 Community of Practice for Circular Buildings partnership involving Bulgaria, Belgium, and Portugal.
- Municipalities Network (Sofia, Burgas, etc.)majorCleantech Bulgaria works with municipalities including Sofia (Green Sofia project) and Burgas (Sustainability Academy events) to implement sustainable urban development strategies and circular economy initiatives.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Cleantech Bulgaria competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- ERRIN (European Regions Research and Innovation Network): Brussels-based network bringing together European regions and research/innovation actors. Relevant adjacent comparator as Cleantech Bulgaria engages with European Commission DG REGIO through the S3 Community of Practice, similar to how ERRIN positions itself as an EU policy conduit for sub-national innovation actors.
- JA Europe (Junior Achievement Europe): European non-profit network delivering entrepreneurship and innovation education. Direct operational peer to the Academy for Sustainability in that JA Bulgaria is Cleantech Bulgaria's named partner for EIT Community RIS Hub representation, and both run structured youth and SME education programming funded by EU programs.
Direct peers
- Cleantech Estonia: National cleantech cluster and business network in Estonia. Closely mirrors Cleantech Bulgaria in scope: connects startups, corporates, and government around clean technology, and represents a small EU country working within pan-European innovation ecosystems.
- EIT Climate-KIC: Europe's largest climate innovation community and a sister EIT Knowledge and Innovation Community. Operates the same hub-manager model, runs acceleration programs for climate startups, and coordinates cross-country EU-funded programming comparable to Cleantech Bulgaria's portfolio.
- Finnish Cleantech Cluster: Finland's national cleantech industry cluster and innovation network. Analogous role: orchestrates cross-sector clean technology activities between companies, research institutions, and public bodies, with a comparable emphasis on circular economy and sustainability advisory.
Broad incumbents
- Cleantech Group: Global cleantech advisory and research firm. Comparable in thematic focus on clean technology innovation, though operates as a commercial intelligence and investment advisory rather than a grant-funded hub; useful reference point for the kind of services Cleantech Bulgaria could eventually commercialize.
- EIT InnoEnergy: Another EIT KIC focused on sustainable energy, operating a similar hub structure across Europe. Comparable in that it serves as a national innovation gateway through regional hubs and manages EU-funded acceleration at scale, though with a more commercial investment orientation than Cleantech Bulgaria.
- Climate Alliance: European network of municipalities and indigenous organizations focused on climate protection and sustainable development. Comparable in coordinating municipal climate action across many EU countries, parallel to Cleantech Bulgaria's work with Sofia, Burgas, and Kardzhali.
Regional players
- dena (German Energy Agency): Germany's national energy agency coordinating the Energiewende. Plays a similar role as a national innovation coordinator for clean technologies but operates at substantially larger scale and is government-affiliated; relevant comparator for the type of activities Cleantech Bulgaria performs at national level.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Cleantech Bulgaria social profiles
Digital presenceCleantech Bulgaria financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cleantech Bulgaria leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Cleantech Bulgaria funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cleantech Bulgaria M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cleantech Bulgaria
What does Cleantech Bulgaria do?
Cleantech Bulgaria is a nonprofit business network foundation that provides professional services in clean technology innovation and sustainable development, including project management, startup acceleration, business development, training, sustainable consulting, and pilot project implementation. The organization coordinates multiple EU-funded programs (Sustainability Academy, ENDURANCE, MASTERY, Agri-Digi Transform, TRANSFORMATOR, BOOST, RISE, Circular Minds) and serves as hub manager for EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing, and ECO RIS, as well as the national coordinator of the European Climate Pact in Bulgaria.
Is Cleantech Bulgaria a public or private company?
Cleantech Bulgaria is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Cleantech Bulgaria founded?
Cleantech Bulgaria was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cleantech Bulgaria based?
Cleantech Bulgaria is headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria, in the Europe region.
How does Cleantech Bulgaria make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. EU Project Management and Coordination is the primary driver. The others are sustainable Consulting Services and training and Education Programs.
Who are Cleantech Bulgaria's main competitors?
Others on record are ERRIN (European Regions Research and Innovation Network) and JA Europe (Junior Achievement Europe). Direct peers are Cleantech Estonia, EIT Climate-KIC and Finnish Cleantech Cluster. Broad incumbents are Cleantech Group, EIT InnoEnergy and Climate Alliance. dena (German Energy Agency) is listed as a regional player.
Does Cleantech Bulgaria have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cleantech Bulgaria.
What industry is Cleantech Bulgaria in?
Cleantech Bulgaria's product category is Sustainability and Clean Technology Consulting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGABAK, Climate Resilience & Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).