ICT Cluster Logo
  • Home
  • About ICT Cluster
  • Digital Transformation
  • NEWS
  • Projects
  • Partners
  • BG
  • EN

SCAILE UP 2025

05/29/2025

In an era of accelerating digital transformation and artificial intelligence, SCAILE UP 2025 brought together leading Bulgarian SMEs, tech innovators, academic institutions, and cluster organizations to discuss the future of competitiveness and smart growth through AI.

Hosted at the prestigious Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia, the event welcomed around 50 participants from the industrial and tech sectors, offering them a full-day program of strategic discussions, training sessions, and live technology demonstrations.

 

 

InnovationAmp – Unlocking AI for Businesses and Municipalities

The event opened with the official introduction of InnovationAmp, Bulgaria’s European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH), co-financed under the “Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Smart Transformation” Programme.
Peter Statev, Chairman of the ICT Cluster and Chairman of InnovationAmp, presented InnovationAmp’s mission to support SMEs and public institutions in their digital transition through access to high-performance computing, training programs, and AI integration services.

Key institutional partners took the stage to showcase their contributions and services under the InnovationAmp umbrella:

  • Mihail Zagorski, Technical University Sofia – on access to digital infrastructure and advanced industrial tech training

  • Ivan Draganov, GATE Institute – on data-driven strategy, smart city analytics, and data spaces

  • Georgi Robev, Strategic Center for AI (SCAI) – on supporting AI entrepreneurship and market readiness

  • Anna Naydenova, Executive Director, ICT Cluster – on supporting SMEs through training, assessment, and project development

  • Todor Mladenov, Executive Director, Sofia Tech Park – on enabling innovation and accelerating business growth

  • Mihail Iliev, Sofia Tech Labs – on “Test Before Invest” services and emerging technology access

  • Kiril Kirilov, Discoverer – on Bulgaria’s high-performance computing infrastructure

  • Kamen Slavov, DIGITECH 4.0 – on sustainable digitalization support for industrial SMEs

The session concluded with a moderated panel discussion exploring how digital innovation hubs are becoming essential platforms for regional growth and competitiveness.

brain-2jpg brain-4jpg brain-6jpg brain-7jpg brain-8jpg brain-11jpg brain-16jpg brain-21jpg brain-23jpg brain-24jpg brain-25jpg brain-30jpg brain-32jpg brain-34jpg brain-37jpg brain-39jpg brain-40jpg brain-42jpg brain-44jpg brain-46jpg brain-48jpg brain-50jpg brain-51jpg brain-53jpg brain-54jpg brain-55jpg brain-56jpg brain-58jpg brain-60jpg brain-61jpg brain-63jpg

AI in Action – BrAIn Project & BRAIN++ (Two Paths, One Vision)

The afternoon transitioned into hands-on learning and real-world application under two distinct AI initiatives:

🔹 BrAIn Project – EU Support for Regional AI Readiness

Todor Mitov, Project Manager at ICT Cluster, presented the BrAIn Project, funded by the Interreg Programme. The project is designed to increase AI readiness in cross-border regions through knowledge exchange, practical training, and cluster collaboration. The initiative helps SMEs understand how to integrate AI responsibly and effectively, focusing on accessibility, awareness, and ecosystem building.

🔹 BRAIN++ – Bulgaria’s Next-Gen AI Infrastructure

Kiril Kirilov, Operational Manager at Discoverer, introduced BRAIN++, a separate national-level initiative.
BRAIN++ is a comprehensive AI supercomputing ecosystem built around the Discoverer petascale supercomputer, supporting:

  • Foundational AI models like BgGPT

  • COMPL-AI tools for EU-aligned trustworthy AI compliance

  • Federated AI data lakes and sandbox environments for experimentation

  • Integration with national and European HPC networks

  • Access to sector-specific AI development tools and VC-backed scaling opportunities

brain-279jpg brain-277jpg brain-273jpg brain-292jpg brain-283jpg brain-288jpg brain-285jpg

From Theory to Practice – AI Lessons from the Field

In a practical and critical session, Petko Karamochev, CEO of INDUSTRIA, presented “Common Pitfalls in Using Manus and AI Agents”, based on real-world experience developing autonomous AI workflows. He explored the hype vs. utility of current generative agents, discussing challenges such as unclear task boundaries, AI hallucinations, and integration bottlenecks — offering valuable insights for companies exploring similar solutions.



AI in Manufacturing – Real Demo, Real Impact

Kristina Todorova delivered two powerful sessions focused on the real-world use of AI in manufacturing. In her talk, she outlined how AI is revolutionizing:

  • Predictive maintenance

  • Defect detection through computer vision

  • Process automation

  • Quality control and yield optimization

She concluded with a demo case, showcasing an AI-powered system for visual defect detection in production environments — achieving near real-time performance and high accuracy, even in challenging industrial conditions.

brain-298jpg brain-299jpg brain-300jpg brain-302jpg brain-305jpg brain-303jpg brain-307jpg brain-309jpg brain-312jpg brain-314jpg brain-322jpg brain-323jpg brain-321jpg brain-324jpg brain-327jpg brain-328jpg brain-329jpg brain-330jpg brain-332jpg

Building Bridges Between Technology and Application

SCAILE UP 2025 once again proved that the combination of digital hubs, high-performance infrastructure, expert networks, and engaged SMEs can accelerate innovation on a national scale. The event empowered attendees with the knowledge, resources, and connections to implement AI in meaningful, scalable ways.

brainjpg brain-196jpg brain-197jpg brain-199jpg brain-204jpg brain-211jpg brain-212jpg brain-213jpg brain-215jpg brain-225jpg brain-228jpg brain-229jpg brain-250jpg brain-258jpg brain-263jpg brain-335jpg brain-337jpg
We use ‘cookies’ to customize the content and ensure the proper functioning of the website. By continuing to use it, you agree with the use of these technologies. For more information, please read the of ICT Cluster
Accept
Privacy Policy
Cookies Policy
Gender Equality Plan
Contacts

Awarded with


Member of 3B ICT Network


Awarded with