Lyubomir Stanislavov – CEO, Automotive Cluster Bulgaria
Krasimir Yakimov – Deputy Minister of Economy, Investments and Industry
Automotive Forum
Bulgaria 2026
Dates
20 May: Conference
21 May: EDIH Event
Location
John Atanasoff
Innovation Forum Event
Organized by
Automotive Cluster Bulgaria
About us
Automotive Forum Bulgaria is the leading international conference dedicated to the future of mobility and the transformation of the automotive industry. Each year, it brings together global industry leaders, policymakers, technology experts, innovators, investors, and academics to discuss the most pressing challenges and breakthrough opportunities shaping the sector. With a dynamic program of keynote speeches, expert panels, and exhibitions, the Forum provides valuable insights and actionable strategies for navigating the rapidly evolving automotive landscape.
Key Topics
Digital Transformation with AI
Global Supply Chain & Resilience
Industry 4.0 and Next-Gen Manufacturing
Breakthrough Battery Innovations
Automotive-Defence Crossroads
Connecting Aerospace and Automotive
EV & Sustainable Mobility
EDIH-Powered Industry Development
Don’t Miss Out
Address Industry Challenges & Trends
Understand the latest global shifts in automotive, from Industry 4.0 and AI to sustainability, electrification, and supply chain resilience.
Engage with Experts & Innovators
Join discussions and panels with international leaders, exploring breakthroughs in batteries, digital transformation, and clean energy solutions
Discover Cutting-Edge Innovations
Experience game-changing advancements in software, carbon-neutral manufacturing, and research-driven technologies.
Expand Your Network & Opportunities
Connect with executives, investors, and partners from across the ecosystem—automotive leaders, tech firms, EDIHs, and universities fueling innovation
Agenda
Discover industry-leading insights
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09:00 – 09:30
Registration and Welcome Coffee
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09:30 – 09:45
Official Opening
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09:45 – 10:05
Keynote Speech- Melexis: Pivoting for the future
Marc Biron – CEO at Melexis
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10:05 – 10:25
Keynote Speech 2
Benjamin Krieger – Secretary General, CLEPA
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10:25 – 10:45
Keynote Speech 3
Tommy Ver Elst -General Manager, Sensata Technology Bulgaria
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10:45 – 11:15
MODULE 1: Next-Gen Manufacturting and Future of Mobility
10:45 – 11:00 Global Economic Overview
Iliya Lingorski – Member of the Governing Council of the Bulgarian National Bank Eurosystem and a Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bulgarian Mint11:00 – 11:15 Automotive Industry Overview
Dimitar Dimitrov – Senior Manager in Technology Strategy & Transformation Deloitte CE -
11:15 – 12:15
Discussion Panel 1: Future of Mobility and Automotive Industry
Moderator – Dimitar Dimitrov – Senior Manager in Technology Strategy & Transformation Deloitte CE
Panelist 1: Tommy Ver Elst -General Manager, Sensata Technology Bulgaria
Panelist 2: Sergei Selin – Plant Managing Director, Hanon Systems
Panelist 3: Delyan Kostov – Director Systems Eng & Validation, Visteon Bulgaria
Panelist 4: Georgi Atanasov – CEO, Starck Technology
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12:15 – 13:15
Lunch Break and Networking
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13:15 – 14:15
MODULE 2: Robotics & Automation
13:15 – 13:30 Integrating robots in Manufacturing – Understanding Robot Integrators
Svetoslav Vasilev – Manager, Siviko13:30– 13:45 From Automation to Humanoids & Humans – how to connect the dots in manufacturing?
Kristiyan Mihaylov – Member of the Management Board of the Professional Association for Robotics, Automation, and Innovation (PARAi)13:45 – 14:00 From Automobiles to Robots: The Next Industrial Revolution
Metodi Dimitrov – Co-founded RB Labs and Robert the Robot14:00 – 14:15 Innovation Demonstrations
Robert the Robot -
14:15 – 15:00
MODULE 3: Cross Industry
14:15 – 14:30 Connecting Aerospace and Automotive
Prof. Dr. Eng. Georgi Zhelev – Institute of Space Research and Technology (ISR&T-BAS)14:30 – 14:45 Challenges to civ-mil innovation partnerships
Borislav Bankov- leader of NATO Test Centre on dual-use technologies, affiliated to NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator to the North Atlantic (DIANA)14:45 – 15:00 Defence and Security
Ralitsa Vaseva – Project Lead, Insights at SeeNext -
15:00 – 15:45
Discussion Panel 2: Cross Industry
Moderator: Nevena Krasteva – Editor-in-chief, SeeNews
Panelist 1: Yordan Bojilov – Director, Sofia Security Forum
Panelist 2: Martin Stamenov – CEO, DeepSentrics
Panelist 3: Lyubomir Baburov – European Space Agency’s Industrial Coordinator for Bulgaria, Chairman of the Bulgarian Space Cluster
Panelist 4: Alexander Marinov – GrandTour Technology
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15:45 – 16:10
Coffee Break and Networking
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16:10 – 17:20
Module 4: Digital, Sustainable & Connected Mobility
16:10 – 16:25 Technology Scouting for digital and sustainable solutions access for the Bulgarian Automotive sector
Leena Pishe Thomas – Director, Global Business Inroad16:25 – 16:40 Automotive Customer Journey in the Digital Era
Ivan Simeonov – Product and Digital Process Manager, Silver Star16:40- 16:55 The precision behind visual perfection: control of color and light in the automotive industry
Dilyan Peychev – Technical Department Manager, Konica Minolta Bulgaria.16:55 -17:05 The role of battery and hydrogen electric vehicles in the energy transition
Blagoy Burdin – Associate professor, Institute of Electrochemistry and Energy Systems at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IEES–BAS).17:05 – 17:20 Building Montenegro’s First Electric Mobility Brand and a Smart Urban Mobility Ecosystem for Europe
Anıl Barış Açık – CEO & Founder, EVOM -
17:20 – 17:30
Closing Remarks
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17:30 – 19:00
Networking Cocktail
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09:00 – 09:30
Registration and Welcome Coffee
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09:30 – 09:40
Official Opening
Lyubomir Stanislavov – CEO, Automotive Cluster Bulgaria
Officials – TBD
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09:40 – 11:00
MODULE 1: EUROPEAN DIGITAL INNOVATION HUBS IN ACTION & BUILDING A EUROPEAN DIH NETWORK
09:40 – 10:00 Building a regional EDIH
Gvido Grīnbergs – Head of the Business Support and Digital Innovation Center, Ventspils High Technology Park10:00 – 10:20 Facilitating Digital Collaboration Across EDIHs and the broader EU AI Innovation Ecosystem
Robert Fischbach – Operations Manager – European Digital Innovation Hub Südwestfalen (EDIH)10:20 – 10:40 EDIH in Support of Businesses and Public Authorities: The Path Towards Smarter, Sustainable, and Innovative Construction
Maria Nakova – Head of EDIH in Construction Sector10:40 – 11:00 A Region in Transition: From Uncertainty to European Impact
Dr. Rumyana Grozeva – Coordinating Partner of EDIH Zagore -
11:00 – 11:20
Coffee Break and Networking
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11:20 – 11:40
Module 2: Test Before Invest: From Idea To Implementation (The case of AI EDIH Hungary)
László Gulyás – Department of Artificial Intelligence, Head of AI EDIH Hungary
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11:40 – 12:20
Module 3: EDIH Trainings for Innovation & Growth
11:40-12:00 From Training to Transformation: How EDIHs Turn Skills, Services and Innovation Support into Real SME Uptake
Yordan Zdravkov- Project Coordinator, Cleantech Bulgaria (CTBG)12:00-12:20 EDIH Training: The Human Side of AI – Strategies & Best Practices
Vlady Velikov, Founder, Improvinn -
12:20 – 13:00
DISCUSSION PANEL: SMART CITY
Moderator – Zhivko Krastev, creator and producer of the project LIMITLESS, author and host of a podcast.
Panelist 1 – Ivan Velkov, President of FIABCI Bulgaria
Panelist 2 – Prof. Dr. Eng. Velizara Pencheva, Professor “Angel Kanchev” University of Ruse
Panelist 3 – Boyan Bakardjiev, Car sharing operator at Spark
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13:00 – 13:15
Closing Remarks
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13:15 – 15:00
Lunch Break and Networking
Speakers
20th May – Day 1
Meet some of our speakers—experienced leaders and experts who are contributing valuable perspectives on the evolving automotive sector.
Member of the Governing Council of the Bulgarian National Bank Eurosystem;
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bulgarian Mint
Fintech entrepreneur, AI expert, and co-founder of RB Labs and Robert the Robot
Entrepreneur and expert in robotics, automation, and technological innovations
Chairman of the Bulgarian Space Cluster and Industrial Coordinator for Bulgaria at European Space Agency
Speakers
21st of May – Day 2
Head of the Business Support and Digital Innovation Center
Corporate Communications Manager at the investment group Renalfa, the public charging infrastructure operator Eldrive, and the car-sharing operator SPARK.
/Moderator of a discussion panel/
Creator and producer, author and host of a podcast
Highlights From the Previous Forums:
Automotive Forum Bulgaria in numbers
Over the years, we have welcomed
30 000+
Attendies
Our speakers represent organizations from
20+
Countries
Forum-Driven Collaborations & Projects
100+
Initiatives
Media Partners
Sponsorship Benefits
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