Empowering
AI innovation
Discover our EDIH initiative – a gateway to transformative AI solutions.
We’re driving digital excellence and fostering innovative AI applications across North Central Bulgaria.
Empowering Innovation and Collaboration for a Sustainable Future
RIC Gabrovo drives regional innovation by fostering collaboration among businesses, academia, and government. We empower digital transformation, promote sustainability, and build skills for a competitive and inclusive future.
Funding Opportunities for SMEs
Programme “Competitiveness and Innovations”
Incoming funding opportunities:
- Funding scheme Digitalization of enterprises
- Funding scheme Energy efficiency and use of energy from renewable sources in enterprises
The European Innovation Council - Europe's flagship innovation programme to identify, develop and scale up game changing innovations
What is the EIC Accelerator ?
The EIC Accelerator is a funding programme under Horizon Europe that offers support to start-ups and SMEs that:
⦁ have a innovative, game changing product, service or business model that could create new markets or disrupt existing ones in Europe and even worldwide,
⦁ have the ambition and commitment to scale up,
⦁ are looking for substantial funding, but the risks involved are too high for private investors alone to invest
Who can apply
⦁ Startups and SMEs
⦁ Single start-ups and SMEs, individuals intending to launch a SME and small mid-caps (can apply for equity only).
What you get
⦁ Grants and investments
⦁ Grant component below EUR 2.5 million. Up to € 10 million of equity investments, coaching & mentoring, networking.
LIFE Programme of EU – opportunities for green technology, climate mitigation and biodiversity; Deadline for project submission – 23th September 2025
Priority areas: Circular Economy and Waste, Recovery of Resources from Waste, Circular Economy and the Environment, Zero pollution and sustainable management of natural resources, Air, Water, Soil, Noise, Chemicals, Industrial Emissions and Safety, A new European Bauhaus
European Portal for Calls and Tenders
Digital Europe Programme
Horizon Europe – upcoming programmes – open on 16 September 2025 until 17 February 2026
Horizon Europe includes a dedicated budget for ‘Digital, industry and space’. This budget develops research and high-end innovation in enabling technologies, such as:
⦁ artificial intelligence and robotics
⦁ next generation Internet
⦁ high performance computing
⦁ big data
⦁ key digital technologies
⦁ 6G
⦁ Fostering Innovative and Compliant Data Ecosystems (IA) (AI, Data and Robotics Partnership) – HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-DATA-13
Horizon Europe – upcoming programmes – open om 16 September 2025 until 17 February 2026
⦁ Next generation distribution substation for increasing the system resilience – HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-18
⦁ Innovative pathways for low carbon and climate resilient building stock and built environment (Built4People Partnership) – HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D4-03
⦁ Improved reliability and optimised operations and maintenance for wind energy systems – HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-07
⦁ Optimal combination of low embodied carbon construction products, technical building systems and circularity principles for climate neutral buildings (Built4People Partnership)
⦁ Smarter buildings as part of the energy system for increased efficiency and flexibility – Societal Readiness Pilot – HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D4-02
⦁ On-site innovative robotic and automated solutions and techniques for more sustainable and less disruptive building renovation and construction HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D4-01
Connecting Europe Facility
The Connecting Europe Facility supports trans-European networks and infrastructures in the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors. It is investing in broadband networks, as a part of the EU’s wider efforts to build infrastructure that can handle emerging and future processes and applications.
InvestEU
InvestEU has been providing crucial support to companies in the recovery phase and ensures a strong focus among private investors on the EU’s medium- and long-term policy priorities. In particular, the European Green Deal and digitalisation. At least 10% of the programme feeds into digital goals.
EU4Health
EU4Health is a programme intended to strengthen health security and prepare for future health crises. Approximately 10% of this programme will be used for digital transformation of the health sector.
- OUR SERVICES
TEST BEFORE INVEST
Access our state-of-the-art facilities to experiment with new technologies, enabling informed investment decisions.
SKILLS AND TRAINING
Participate in tailored programs that enhance your team’s expertise, aligning with industry-specific digital needs.
SUPPORT TO FIND INVESTMENT
Leverage our guidance to identify and secure funding opportunities that drive your innovative projects forward.
INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM NETWORKING
Connect with a vibrant network of stakeholders, fostering collaborations that accelerate your growth and integration into the regional innovation landscape.
- WHO WE ARE
Not business owned, but business driven
Regional Innovation Center ”Ambitious Gabrovo” has been established at the end
of September 2019 as a non-profit association. Registered in the Bulgarian Trade register
under No. 205840156
The Center’s activity is in building and development of sustainable modern research and innovation eco-system; working partnership between industry and science aiming to increase the innovation capacity and competitiveness of the regional industry; creating an innovative and technological culture through supporting talents and their motivation to work in the field of the innovative technologies.
“RIC Gabrovo has been an invaluable
partner in our journey toward innovation
and sustainability. Through their guidance and resources, we successfully integrated cutting-edge digital solutions that boosted our competitiveness. Their commitment to fostering collaboration across sectors is truly inspiring, and their support has made a tangible difference in our growth.”
Manager at Tehnoles
- PUSHING TOWARDS BETTER FUTURE
