The AUBG accelerator program Elevate recently wrapped up its highly anticipated fifth season. This season showcased diversity of innovation and talent within AUBG’s student body. Seven teams embarked on a journey through the Elevate accelerator and worked tirelessly to turn their ideas into reality. During the Elevate Demo Day on April 24, three of the teams secured funding of $10,000 with motivation to continue working on the projects.
Meet the Winners
- Verdere is an emerging business growing and supplying nutrient-dense micro-vegetables to restaurants and direct to customers.
- Enthela creates a biostimulator based on nitrogen-fixing bacteria that allows farmers to replace the use of nitrogen fertilizers while maintaining yields and increasing soil fertility.
- ReGrounded turns coffee grounds into stylish, eco-friendly reusable cups, revolutionizing the coffee industry and building a sustainable future one cup at a time.
The Elevate Jury
The esteemed jury, comprised of prominent figures from Bulgaria’s investment sphere—Pavel Velkov, Rene Tomova, Nikola Yanev, and Krum Hadjigeorgiev—was impressed by the caliber of ideas and presentations showcased by the students. Pavel Velkov remarked, “The students’ presentations were at a really high level. We rarely see that kind of energy to succeed, even from the pros.” This acknowledgment underscores the exceptional talent nurtured within AUBG’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Takeaways
With the support of the AUBG alumni founded VC Eleven, AUBG has been providing invaluable resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to the AUBGers. With this, students could fully immerse themselves into the entrepreneurial life while having the comfort of the campus support.
Every year, Elevate bridges the gap between aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned industry veterans. Esteemed mentors, including Hristo Borisov, Kosta Yordanov, Radoslav Georgiev, Nikola Yanev, and Svetozar Georgiev, generously share their wisdom and experiences, enriching the entrepreneurial journey for all involved.
