ISIC & ITIC Bulgaria

What ISIC & ITIC Bulgaria does

SMIK OOD, operating as ISIC & ITIC Bulgaria, is the sole licensed representative of the ISIC Association for Bulgaria and a member of the GTS ALIVE Group. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Sofia, the company issues the UNESCO-endorsed International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC) under a digital-first model. Its core technology is a mobile-first card issuance and verification platform available on iOS, Android, and Huawei AppGallery, which generates QR/barcode-validated digital credentials and integrates with university enrollment systems for automated status verification and with partner systems for real-time entitlement checks.

The business model combines annual card issuance fees (digital primary, physical on request at BGN 10 incl. VAT) with co-branded institutional programs under which 27 Bulgarian universities adopt ISIC as their official student identification card. Distribution spans self-serve mobile and web (my.isic.bg), the USIT Colours reseller network in seven Bulgarian cities, and direct institutional channels through university partnerships. The company monetizes a two-sided network of over 1,000 discount partners in Bulgaria — including BDZ (50% rail discount), Sofia's Centre for Urban Mobility (preferential public transport passes), Booking.com, Gameseal, Samsung, iSTYLE, Grand Optics, and Telerik Academy — that provide offers unlocked by valid ISIC/ITIC status. It also administers the Erasmus Consortium APAO (jointly controlled with USIT Colours since 2008), facilitating international internship placements with monthly grants of EUR 756-824.

The company is privately held under Bulgarian law (OOD, EIK 202609335) with no external institutional investment or public listing. Stefan Valeriev Elenkov serves as Managing Director. Operations are domestic Bulgaria only, though ISIC credentials are accepted in over 130 countries under UNESCO auspices through the global ISIC Association network. The company employs 6 staff and does not disclose revenue; financial scale is implicitly modest given headcount and Bulgaria-only market scope.

Name

ISIC & ITIC Bulgaria

Legal name

"СТУДЕНТСКИ И МЛАДЕЖКИ ИДЕНТИФИКАЦИОННИ КАРТИ (СМИК)" ООД

Website

https://isic.bg

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ISIC & ITIC Bulgaria is the sole licensed representative of ISIC Association for Bulgaria, issuing UNESCO-endorsed digital International Student and Teacher Identity Cards via a mobile-first platform that unlocks 1,000+ discounts across Bulgaria and 130+ countries for students, teachers, and partner institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Identification Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Travel Documentation Support (Non-Visa: Passports, ISIC, Notarization) (EDAIANAM)

Keywords

• Student identity cards
• Teacher identity cards
• Student discount network
• Educational identification services
• Erasmus+ mobility programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Sofia

HQ country

Bulgaria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. ISIC and ITIC Card Issuance: Annual card issuance fees for digital and physical ISIC (International Student Identity Card) and ITIC (International Teacher Identity Card). Cards are valid through 31 December of the current academic year (September to next September). Physical cards are issued on request at a price of BGN 10.00 incl. VAT with delivery to a Speedy office. The primary delivery is digital, with the card sent to the user's email within 3 business days of payment and verification.
2. Co-branded ISIC/ITIC Card Programs with Educational Institutions: 27 Bulgarian universities use ISIC as their official student identity card, suggesting co-branding arrangements where the institution promotes ISIC to its students and may co-fund or white-label the card for their student body.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ISIC & ITIC Bulgaria (operated by СМИК ООД) is the sole licensed representative of ISIC Association for Bulgaria, issuing International Student Identity Cards (ISIC) and International Teacher Identity Cards (ITIC) under UNESCO auspices. Cards are delivered digitally through a mobile app and grant access to a network of 1,500+ discounts in Bulgaria and 130+ countries, plus Erasmus+ placement support via the APAO Consortium and co-branded card programs with Bulgarian universities.

Product overview

ISIC & ITIC Bulgaria operates as a platform offering international student and teacher identification cards under UNESCO auspices. The core portfolio consists of two digital card products—the Digital ISIC Card for students and the Digital ITIC Card for teachers—both accessible via the ISIC Bulgaria mobile app. These cards provide access to a discount network of over 1,000 partner offers across Bulgaria and worldwide. Additional services include Erasmus+ placement program support through the APAO consortium, card issuance partnerships with educational institutions, and a dedicated discount partner program for businesses. The ISIC Bulgaria App serves as the digital delivery mechanism for the cards, enabling users to carry and present their ID digitally while also accessing app-exclusive promotions and discount codes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Digital ISIC Card (International Student Identity Card)

Quantifiable outcome

• Students and teachers access discounts of 5% to 50% across 1000+ partner offers in Bulgaria and internationally
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2026The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and ISIC Bulgaria launched a partnership enabling scientists, researchers, and PhD students at BAN to obtain ISIC cards, granting them access to international discounts, preferential travel and accommodation conditions, and professional development resources. The partnership also facilitates the European Student Card (ESC) for international mobility identification.
• USIT ColourscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUSIT Colours is a licensed ISIC card issuer and one of the leading educational travel agencies in Bulgaria with 12+ years of experience. It operates physical offices in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Ruse, Veliko Tarnovo, and Blagoevgrad, where customers can request ISIC cards. The company is a long-standing partner that also organizes Erasmus+ placements and educational programs. Card applications submitted through USIT Colours are processed and issued online.
• ISIC Association (International)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISIC Association, based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is the global governing body for the ISIC card program. It manages the international ISIC network recognized in 130+ countries under UNESCO auspices. The Bulgarian entity (SMIK OOD) is the sole licensed representative for ISIC in Bulgaria, authorized to issue ISIC and ITIC cards and manage the Bulgarian card ecosystem.
• EYC Association (European Youth Card Association)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEYC Association, based in Brussels, Belgium, manages the European Youth Card (EYC) program. ISIC Bulgaria also facilitates EYC card issuance, expanding access to youth discounts and services alongside the ISIC card for non-student youth aged 13-30.
• Erasmus Consortium APAOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus Consortium APAO (Association for the Support of the Academic Community) was established in 2008 as Bulgaria's first Erasmus Consortium. It organizes and administers professional internships abroad for Bulgarian students and PhD candidates through Erasmus+ funding. ISIC Bulgaria operates the consortium's information portal and facilitates student card issuance as part of the placement process. The consortium partners with 10 Bulgarian universities and USIT Colours.
• BDZ (Bulgarian State Railways)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBDZ provides 50% discount on rail fares for ISIC card holders aged under 26 who are enrolled in accredited Bulgarian or EU educational institutions. The discount is activated through a special BDZ sticker within the ISIC Bulgaria app, which replaces traditional BDZ discount cards. Students must present a current enrollment certificate annually in September to renew the sticker.
• Centre for Urban Mobility (TsGM), SofiacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Centre for Urban Mobility (TsGM) in Sofia provides preferential monthly public transport subscription rates to ISIC card holders. Students pay reduced fares for all-lines passes (BGN 14.67/month), metro-only passes (BGN 9.00/month), and surface transport passes (BGN 6.85/month). ISIC replaces the need for additional student status documentation at TsGM offices.
• 27 Bulgarian UniversitiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor27 Bulgarian universities have adopted ISIC as their official student identification card. These institutions include Sofia University, UNSS, New Bulgarian University, and others. The partnership enables co-branded card programs, institutional integration with university access systems (buildings, libraries, transport), and direct promotion to the student body.
• GTS ALIVE GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerISIC Bulgaria is part of GTS ALIVE Group, an international group operating in the student and youth identity card and discount space. The group affiliation provides access to global ISIC network resources, international partnerships, and shared technology infrastructure.
• Booking.comsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBooking.com offers ISIC card holders exclusive Getaway Deals with at least 15% discount on accommodation bookings worldwide, valid for travel between July and September 2026 when booked by September 30, 2026.
• GamesealsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerGameseal is a global digital store with 70,000+ official digital products (software, games, subscriptions, vouchers). ISIC Bulgaria app users receive exclusive promo codes: 20% off software, 14% off games and subscriptions, and 5% off gift vouchers through Gameseal.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• UNiDAYS: Global digital student discount and verification platform operating in 115+ countries. Closest direct competitor in the online student-discount category, with similar brand partnerships and a mobile-first verification model.
• European Youth Card Association (EYCA): Brussels-based body managing the European Youth Card (EYC) program for non-student youth aged 13–30. ISIC Bulgaria is also a facilitator of EYC issuance in Bulgaria, making EYCA a direct peer in adjacent identity/discount products.
• USIT Colours Bulgaria: Licensed ISIC card issuer and leading educational travel agency in Bulgaria with offices in 7 cities. Operates as a long-standing channel partner and parallel card-issuance point; jointly co-founded the APAO Erasmus Consortium.
• Student Beans: UK-based student verification and discount network focused on digital identity for the 16–25 demographic. Comparable business model with brand-partner discount marketplace and identity-verification layer.

Emerging players

• ID90 Travel: Provides travel and lifestyle benefits to students, young travelers, and airline employees. Comparable discount-network business model with a stronger travel vertical focus than ISIC Bulgaria.
• European Student Card (ESC): EU Commission-backed free student mobility and discount card being rolled out across European higher education. Most material emerging competitive threat to ISIC Bulgaria's value proposition if it achieves parity in merchant acceptance.
• Erasmus Student Network (ESN): Pan-European student organization supporting Erasmus+ mobility with discount partnerships. Adjacent peer in the student-mobility and discount ecosystem; potential partner or competitor in the international placement service line.

Broad incumbents

• GTS Alive Group: International parent group operating in the student and youth identity and discount space. Owns and operates multiple national ISIC licensees; provides shared technology and partnership infrastructure to ISIC Bulgaria.
• ISIC Association: Global governing body of the ISIC card program, based in Amsterdam. The Bulgarian entity operates as its sole licensed representative. Direct parent/principal relationship with shared brand, technology, and network.

Others

• Telerik Academy: Bulgarian IT training provider that offers ISIC cardholders a 5% discount. Functions as a key B2B discount partner rather than a direct competitor, but comparable as a domestic Bulgaria-based education-services player.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/isicbulgaria
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/isicbg
• Instagraminstagram.com/isicbulgaria
• TikToktiktok.com/@isicbulgaria

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 ISIC & ITIC Bulgaria