The Executive Agency for the Promotion of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEPA) supports BESCO Hall of Fame in the belief that the development of entrepreneurship depends not only on the successes of individual companies but also on the knowledge, experience and support that people in the ecosystem pass on to one another.

Past

SMEPA is a Bulgarian state institution under the Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry, established in 2004.

The Agency works for the development and competitiveness of Bulgarian business through training, business events and initiatives for entering international markets.

For more than 20 years, mentoring has been, for SMEPA, a natural way to pass on knowledge, share the lessons learned from mistakes and help those who come next to face challenges with more confidence.

Dr. Boyko Takov, Executive Director of SMEPA, says he has experienced the power of mentoring personally.

"There are probably many people I could call my mentors in my development. I wouldn't say just one person. Rather, it can be seen as a composite image of all the people I come into contact with." – Dr. Boyko Takov, Executive Director of SMEPA

This view highlights something important: mentoring is not always a formal relationship between two people. Sometimes it happens through a conversation, shared experience or advice given at just the right moment.

Present

Today, SMEPA continues to develop this idea of mentoring as a core value through programs and initiatives that support small and medium-sized enterprises. Training and mentoring play an important role in the Agency's work, helping companies make better-informed decisions and use their resources more effectively.

"It is extremely important for companies to get the right advice at the right moment, and it is precisely those who have already walked this path who can do it best." – Dr. Boyko Takov, Executive Director of SMEPA

According to the Agency, knowledge has a value that goes beyond immediate financial support. Access to experience and practical guidance gives entrepreneurs a better foundation on which to grow their businesses and make use of the opportunities before them.

This mission is also linked to the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. According to SMEPA, startups and entrepreneurs not only create businesses but also generate initiatives, some of which are reflected in legislation. Supporting them is therefore an investment in the development of the whole environment.

Future

For SMEPA, the future of entrepreneurship depends on more companies gaining access to knowledge, experience and suitable support at key moments in their development. When entrepreneurs can learn from one another and receive the right guidance in time, they can use their resources better and build more sustainable businesses.

That is why the Agency supports BESCO Hall of Fame, an initiative that recognizes entrepreneurs for their work, results and contribution to the environment around them. Particularly significant is the recognition of people who not only build successful companies but also share their experience and help others walk their own path.

"We support the Hall of Fame because it is the practical expression of honoring an Entrepreneur of the Year who has given a great deal to the environment, has mentored many companies and has truly left a mark." – Dr. Boyko Takov, Executive Director of SMEPA

For more than 20 years, SMEPA has worked for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in Bulgaria, creating opportunities for training, exchange of experience and growth. At the heart of this approach is the understanding that mentoring is an important part of business development: by passing on knowledge and experience, companies can make better-informed decisions and face the challenges along their way with more confidence.