Investor of the Year 2025 Ceremony Highlights Bulgaria’s Strong Investment Growth, Innovation Focus
Bulgaria’s investment landscape was marked by strong signals of growth, diversification, and strategic focus on high-value industries, according to developments highlighted at the 20th Investor of the Year awards organized by the InvestBulgaria Agency (IBA), which also marked its 30th anniversary. The official ceremony was held at the Hyatt Regency Sofia hotel on 27 April.
The ceremony brought together representatives of business, government institutions, the diplomatic corps, international organizations, and partners of the InvestBulgaria Agency. Mr Tsvetan Simeonov, the President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who is a member of the competition jury this year as well, was the guest of honor at the event.
BTL Industries Bulgaria has been named Investor of the Year 2025. Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova presented the award and the “Golden Bull” statuette by sculptor Seyfettin Shekerov to the company’s CEO Veselin Karavasilev.
The company received the top prize for its investment in the southern city of Plovdiv amounting to EUR 51 million in 2025, which led to the creation of over 700 jobs. BTL Industries Bulgaria has been present on the Bulgarian market since 1998 and also operates a research and development center in Sofia. With a team of over 850 employees, the company is among the largest employers in the Plovdiv region. It exports its medical devices to more than 120 countries across six continents.
Other main category winners
Winners in the other four main categories received their awards from representatives of the caretaker government.
The Greenfield Investment award went to Intuitive Surgical Bulgaria for its EUR 42 million investment in the town of Parvomay and over 170 newly created jobs. The award was presented by caretaker Energy Minister Traicho Traikov to Stoyan Stoyanov, Senior Director of Manufacturing Operations and Dimitar Lichev, Senior Manager of Industrial Engineering.
The Human Capital award was presented to Aero Technic BG for its EUR 15.85 million investment in Sofia, specifically at Vasil Levski Airport, creating 125 new jobs. The award was presented by caretaker Finance Minister Georgi Klisurski to Rositsa Usheva, Administrative Director.
The Business Expansion Investment award was receive by Nestle Bulgaria for its EUR 44.63 million investment in Sofia and 119 new jobs. CEO Petar Stoilov received the award from Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Maria Nedina.
Festo Bulgaria was the recipient of the Innovative Business award for its EUR 40 million investment across Sofia, Smolyan, and Gabrovo, creating 140 new jobs. The award was presented by caretaker Minister of Innovation and Growth Irena Mladenova to Kalin Dobrev, Managing Director.
The Investor of the Year initiative recognizes companies and projects that contribute to Bulgaria’s economic development, job creation, innovation, and sustainable growth.