Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Gabrovo's landmark buildings to become hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship

Photo: Gabrovo municipality

The municipality of Gabrovo has secured nearly 17 million leva in funding to develop an "innovation valley", local authorities have announced. The project includes the transformation of the former Radion Umnikov School into a centre for digital skills and innovation, as well as the establishment of an innovation zone at Gabrovo’s Technical University.


The school building, a listed cultural monument dating back to the late 19th century, will be fully renovated and equipped to host training in robotics and automation. It will also feature new halls, tech laboratories, and spaces dedicated to virtual reality learning.

Renovation plans for the former Radion Umnikov School .

Gabrovo’s Technical University, a partner in the initiative, will develop a comprehensive innovation zone on its campus. This will include a "House of the Future" offering technology rooms, a seminar hall and office spaces.


Plans also involve the construction of a manufacturing hall for start-up companies, where they can test innovative products. The site will provide training for young entrepreneurs and support the development of new services.


Furthermore, the project envisages the refurbishment of a former restaurant in the city's commercial centre, known locally as the 'Sixth Precinct', which will be transformed into a co-working and shared innovation space.

The former Radion Umnikov School


Text: Yoan Kolev
Editor: Elena Karkalanova
Posted in English by E. Radkova

Photos: Gabrovo municipality




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Eurostat: Annual inflation in Bulgaria in July is 3.4%

Inflation in the EU in July reached 2.4% on an annual basis , according to Eurostat data. Regarding Bulgaria, European statistics report an increase in inflation to 3.4% in July this year compared to the same month last year. According to this..

published on 8/20/25 3:15 PM

Investments from Italy, the Netherlands and Greece lead in the first half of the year

For the period January-June 2025, the net flow of foreign direct investment in the country reached EUR 848 million (0.8% of GDP), which represents a decrease of EUR 31.4 million compared to the same period in 2024.  In June 2025, the flow was negative..

published on 8/18/25 5:19 PM

Bureaucracy and climate change are shrinking Bulgarian organic production

On the world map of organic agriculture, Bulgaria is not just a dot, but a colorful mosaic of food products, carrying the aroma and taste of unspoiled nature. Our organically certified areas produce crops sought after around the world – essential oil..

published on 8/14/25 11:50 AM