Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency

What Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency does

The Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (ИАНМСП) is a government executive agency operating under the Ministry of Innovation and Growth of the Republic of Bulgaria, headquartered in Sofia at ul. "Lege" No. 2-4. Established to implement Bulgaria's state policy for promoting entrepreneurship, the agency functions as a public-sector service provider rather than a commercial enterprise. Its mission is to help Bulgarian small and medium enterprises expand domestically and internationally by organizing trade missions, arranging national pavilions at international exhibitions, hosting business forums and B2B matchmaking events, and delivering training and capacity-building programs. The agency's reach spans multiple geographies, with documented activity across Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, France, Greece, Serbia), East and Southeast Asia (China, Vietnam), South Asia (India), the Middle East (Azerbaijan), and Africa.

The agency's service portfolio comprises five core service lines (institutional stands at international events, trade missions, training programs, business events in Bulgaria, and international fairs and exhibitions) complemented by two proprietary digital platforms: B2B Connect (a matchmaking platform at b2bconnect.bg connecting Bulgarian companies with international partners) and Exporthub Bulgaria (an export information platform at exporthub.bg). Additional offerings include the Export Voice podcast (content initiative), the N-Spark program (World Bank partnership for digital transformation in Northern Bulgaria), and the RESCALE project (INTERREG Bulgaria-Serbia cross-border cooperation program targeting 200 companies). The agency also serves as Bulgaria's National Contact Point for OECD Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct. Its core technology stack is built on government digital infrastructure and business support platforms; no proprietary AI/ML systems or patents are disclosed, and the agency holds ISO 9001:2015 and GDPR compliance certifications.

BSMEPA's business model is entirely government-funded rather than revenue-generating. The agency is financed through the Bulgarian state budget and European Union operational programs (notably the Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises Programme 2021-2027), supplemented by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021-2028 and bilateral cooperation partners (World Bank, Innovation Norway). All services — including trade missions, exhibition participation, training, and consulting — are provided free of charge to Bulgarian SMEs, making the pricing model effectively freemium with the state as the sole payer. Distribution is event-driven and geographic, with national pavilions at venues such as GITEX Europe, HLTH Europe, ALIMENTARIA, CEAC, TEXWORLD, EXPO 2025 Osaka, and bilateral forums with Turkey, China, Vietnam, and India. The Executive Director, Dr. Boyko Takov, leads the agency, supported by Deputy Executive Director Borislav Dimitrachkov.

Name

Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency

Legal name

Изпълнителна агенция за насърчаване на малките и средни предприятия

Website

https://sme.government.bg

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

BSMEPA is a Bulgarian government executive agency under the Ministry of Innovation and Growth that provides free trade missions, exhibition pavilions, B2B matchmaking, training, and digital platforms (B2B Connect, Exporthub Bulgaria) to help Bulgarian SMEs expand domestically and internationally, funded by the state budget and EU programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government SME Promotion Services

NAICS

Administration of General Economic Programs (92611), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Sector & Blended Finance Arms (IFC-type) (BPADACAJ), SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)

Keywords

• SME promotion services
• International trade missions
• Business matchmaking platforms
• Export development support
• Entrepreneurship training

Headquarters

HQ city

Sofia

HQ country

Bulgaria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: The agency operates as a government institution funded by the Bulgarian state budget and European Union funds, providing free services to SMEs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA/ИАНМСП) is a Bulgarian government executive agency under the Ministry of Innovation and Growth that implements state policy for promoting entrepreneurship. It supports Bulgarian SMEs through organized international trade missions, national stands at foreign exhibitions, training programs, B2B matchmaking events, and dedicated digital platforms (B2B Connect, Exporthub Bulgaria). All services are provided free of charge, funded by the Bulgarian state budget and European Union programs.

Product overview

The Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (ИАНМСП) operates as a unified service portfolio rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The agency's offerings center on five core business support services: institutional stands at international events, trade missions, training programs, business events in Bulgaria, and international fairs and exhibitions. These are complemented by two digital platforms (B2B Connect for matchmaking and Exporthub Bulgaria for export support), a content initiative (Export Voice podcast), and specialized programs including N-Spark (World Bank partnership for Northern Bulgaria digital transformation) and RESCALE (INTERREG cross-border cooperation). The agency also serves as Bulgaria's National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct. The overall offering functions as an integrated ecosystem supporting SME internationalization, innovation capacity, and sustainable growth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Trade Missions Market research and penetration services, visits to established international exhibitions and conferences, and business partnership opportunities abroad for Bulgarian SMEs.
• International Fairs and Exhibitions National participation of Bulgarian SMEs with national stands at international specialized exhibitions and fairs in Bulgaria and abroad.
• Business Events in Bulgaria Forums, conferences, contact fairs, and B2B meetings for establishing business contacts with leading companies from Bulgaria and abroad.
• Trainings Training programs aimed at developing entrepreneurial, management, and innovation skills, enhancing competitiveness and sustainable growth of SMEs.
• Institutional Stands at International Events Opportunity for promoting Bulgaria and economic sectors through agency stands at prestigious international events.
• B2B Connect Platform Online matchmaking platform connecting Bulgarian companies with international business partners.
• Exporthub Bulgaria Online platform supporting Bulgarian companies with export information and internationalization resources.
• Export Voice Podcast Podcast series featuring Bulgarian entrepreneurs who have succeeded in international markets, sharing insights and strategies for export success.
• N-Spark Program Program implemented in partnership with the World Bank to support digital transformation of SMEs in Northern Bulgaria, providing personalized consulting services and entrepreneurial thinking modules.
• RESCALE Project Cross-border cooperation project under INTERREG Bulgaria-Serbia Programme supporting 200 companies in building regional partnerships and scaling operations.
• National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct Bulgaria's national contact point for OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, promoting responsible business practices among SMEs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40 Bulgarian companies supported at GITEX Europe 2026
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Leader.BGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026Signed memorandum of cooperation to support small and medium businesses in Bulgaria. Joint organization of regional business conferences.
• ICT Cluster VarnacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025Signed memorandum of cooperation for joint initiatives to support ICT sector and digital transformation of SMEs.
• World BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the World Bank for the N-Spark program supporting digital transformation of SMEs in Northern Bulgaria. The program provides personalized consulting services and capacity building for Bulgarian enterprises.
• Bulgarian Stock Exchange (BFB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to facilitate easier access to capital market financing for Bulgarian companies. Project aims to help SMEs access capital for growth.
• Endeavor BulgariacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Dare2Scale growth program supporting high-potential entrepreneurs. Joint initiatives for entrepreneurship development and internationalization.
• Norway (Innovation Norway)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral initiative under Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021-2028 to enhance innovation and export capacity of Bulgarian SMEs. Includes joint training, seminars, and exchange of best practices.
• Embassy of Socialist Republic of Vietnam in BulgariaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Round Table on economic cooperation between Bulgaria and Vietnam, supporting business partnerships.
• Bulgarian-Turkish Chamber of Commerce and IndustrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Balkan Business Forum and bilateral business cooperation between Bulgaria and Turkey.
• Bulgarian Foreign Trade BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic cooperation for financial support and trade facilitation services.
• World BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject BG16RFPR001-1.009-0001 for providing comprehensive services to enterprises in Northern Bulgaria for sustainable development and growth.
• EU Programs Management AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministrative partner for EU-funded projects and programs implementation.
• Sofia Tech ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation for innovation support and technology transfer for SMEs.
• BSE Sofia (Bulgarian Stock Exchange)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint project for easier access to capital market financing, including seminars and support for SMEs.
• China (Economic and Trade Section of Embassy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual AI transformation and sustainable growth seminar for Bulgarian companies, organized third year in a row.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CzechInvest: Czech Republic's investment and business development agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Closely comparable in mission (SME support, export promotion, EU-funded programs) and structure (government agency with EU and state financing).
• Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK): Croatia's national chamber of economy, which performs SME internationalization, trade mission organization, and B2B matchmaking functions. Comparable as a regional Balkans/Central Europe peer with similar SME export support mandate.
• Enterprise Greece: Greece's official investment and trade promotion agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Directly comparable as an EU member-state agency providing SME export support, trade missions, and partner search services.
• Business Finland: Finland's national innovation funding and trade promotion organization, operating under the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. Comparable in offering SME internationalization services, trade missions, partner search, and innovation funding programs with state and EU backing.
• SARIO (Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency): Slovakia's national investment and trade promotion agency, also an EU member-state SME and internationalization agency. Highly comparable as a regional CEE peer with similar EU-funded programs and trade mission activities.
• Hungarian Export Promotion Agency (HEPA): Hungary's national export promotion agency, focused on helping Hungarian SMEs enter foreign markets. Closely comparable as a regional CEE peer providing trade missions, B2B events, and export development support.
• Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH): Poland's national agency supporting Polish companies' expansion abroad and attracting FDI. Comparable in providing trade missions, B2B matchmaking, and SME export support with EU and state funding.
• Enterprise Estonia: Estonia's national agency for SME promotion, export development, and foreign investment attraction. Directly comparable as a government-mandated SME support and internationalization agency operating with EU and state funding, offering similar trade missions, training, and matchmaking services.

Broad incumbents

• Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI): Germany's federal economic development agency, providing market intelligence, trade missions, and investment promotion. A larger, more established counterpart operating with a broader geographic and sector mandate but covering the same SME internationalization function.
• UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT): The UK's ministerial department responsible for trade promotion, export support, and SME internationalization. A larger, established incumbent covering the same SME export promotion function with a global footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sme-government-bg
• Facebookfacebook.com/sme.government.bg
• Xx.com/IANMSP1

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency