The Bulgarian ICT Cluster New Paths for Regional ICT Success May , 2006, Zagreb, Croatia

The ICT Cluster’s Mission: To make ICT the leading industry and economic and social driving force in Bulgaria Main Strategic Directions: State ICT Policies and Practices - ensuring the participatory and timely national ICT policy formation and implementation and lobbying for better understanding on the political level for the economic importance of ICT Market Environment for ICT – initiatives with SMEs and ICT–enabled local initiatives Education and Professional Development - better training, education, certification and workforce experience Branding, Positioning and Promotion - formulating and positioning the Bulgarian ICT industry message.

The ICT Cluster Society Bulgarian ICT Organizations in Synergy ICT policy has to be communicated on many levels All ICT institutions, programs, initiatives could benefit from information sharing, networking and collaboration SMEs will thrive with more ICT - machine building, retail, engineering, construction sector ICT is a global industry, international cooperation is key The ICT Cluster is happy to engage in such projects and provide networking, support of high level specialists and spread information. Organizations in the ICT Cluster Society BASSCOM (Bulgarian Association of Software Companies) BIBA (Bulgarian International Business Association) BBKEPI (Bulgarian Branch Chamber for electronic industry and Informatics) BWA (Bulgarian Web Association) CLICT (Center for ICT Law) Club for Innovative Scenarios E-Health Bulgaria Foundation Internet Society Bulgaria Interspace Association NBDN (National Business Development Network) National Research Network Association High-Technology Business Incubator-Gabrovo High-Technology Business Incubator-Varna ASTEL (Association for Telecommunications) Association iCenters SEC (Society for Electronic Communications)

Global “guru” network Overview of ICT Cluster System ICT CLUSTER COORDINATION International IT Companies in Bulgaria Bulgarian- Owned IT Companies “Quick start” eCenter Facilities Tele-centers Incubators Business Centers Learning Centers E-Gov Portal University-affiliated Talent (includes startup IT entrepreneurs) Business and Technology Parks Innovators / Inventors International IT Companies in Bulgaria Bulgarian- Owned IT Firms Regional Users Basic IT Education, Training, Re-Training Global Outsourcing Marketplaces (e.g. elance.com, rentacoder.com) Municipalities (offer lands, buildings to PPPs) Virtual Centers of Excellence USA UKUAE GERFRA PPP IT Promotion Networks Abroad European Software Institute Online Opportunities Exchange national portal for credential-building projects Virtual Incubator / Business Accelerator Private Developers (invest in PPPs) Technology Scholarship Fund Government Business Associations NGOs National IT Policy (IT Body) Bulgarian SMEs from all economic sectors

IT Masters Programs in Bulgaria Master of Information Technology Management (MITM) Master of Project Management (MPM) ( Master of Science in Information Systems ( sofia.bg/msis)

HTBI Varna HTBI Varna was inaugurated after extensive reconstruction on June 21, It has premises intended for incubated technology companies HTBI-Varna launched its first campaign for admission of companies HTBI Varna is leading partner for design and implementation of North- East Regional Innovation Startegy built-up area: 770 m2 all-out area: 3168 m2 usable area: 2078 m2

Gabrovo HTBI Gabrovo was inaugurated after extensive reconstruction on August 03, It has premises intended for incubated technology companies. HTBI will offer on-line consultations for innovative IT projects for creation of new products and services so that their market value would increase. HTBI will provide services for business – making analyses, spreading current information about innovations, markets, opportunities for financing.

2006 Calendar 1.Launch of Intel Entrepreneurship Program within three leading universities – SU, TU, NBU 2.Collaboration and Expert Assistance to MoJ, MoH, MoE, SAITC, … 3.Supporting Bulgarian IT booth at CEBIT 4.Foundation of National Laboratory for Parallel Computing 5.Launch of Bulgarian National Broad Band Initiative 6. Stevens Institute of Technology, NJ - Growing Bulgaria’s Software Industry: Innovative Technology Cluster Strategy 7.Round Table ‘From Knowledge to Growth - SME Competitiveness during accession period ’

Thank You!