50 best products
from Bulgaria
50 best products
from Bulgaria
50 BEST PRODUCTS FROM BULGARIA is an independent national selection that, for the first time, brings together in one place the most significant Bulgarian products and innovations developed with the potential to compete in the global marketplace. These are the products that present Bulgaria as a modern, innovative, and creative nation – defined by quality, vision, design, and sustainability.
50 BEST PRODUCTS FROM BULGARIA is a new narrative about Bulgaria. A narrative to introduce our country to the world.
The selection process takes place online in two stages between July and September 2026. The 50 BEST PRODUCTS FROM BULGARIA will be presented in a premium print and digital publication to be released in 2027.
Deadlines
Application
Each company submits its application online. A single company may submit multiple applications - one for each product it wishes to enter. Each product may only be submitted to one category.
Evaluation
All applications will be assessed against 10 criteria by an independent nominating jury. The names of the jury members will be disclosed publicly alongside the presentation of the nominated products in May 2027. The final selection for the inaugural edition of 50 BEST PRODUCTS FROM BULGARIA will be made by a jury of five internationally recognised international experts in the period October - November 2026.
Award Ceremony
The selection and the publication will be formally presented at an official ceremony to which all nominees for 50 BEST PRODUCTS FROM BULGARIA will be invited, as well as guests from foreign diplomatic and trade missions, relevant institutions, business representatives, investors, and influential public figures.
THE BOOK
Exclusive print publication with a digital version, presenting a two-stage selection of innovative Bulgarian products from all fields.
COIN
Limited Edition gold coin with collectible value and a QR code providing access to the digital edition of the book.
A Pop-Up Exhibition
An exhibition in Sofia presenting nominated and awarded products live, allowing the public to see and experience them beyond the pages of the book - and also purchase them.
A Travelling Exhibition
A mobile exhibition that will travel across the country, visiting both small and large towns and cities.
Deadlines
Application
Each company submits its application online. A single company may submit multiple applications - one for each product it wishes to enter. Each product may only be submitted to one category.
Evaluation
All applications will be assessed against 10 criteria by an independent nominating jury. The names of the jury members will be disclosed publicly alongside the presentation of the nominated products in May 2027. The final selection for the inaugural edition of 50 BEST PRODUCTS FROM BULGARIA will be made by a jury of five internationally recognised international experts in the period October - November 2026.
Award Ceremony
The selection and the publication will be formally presented at an official ceremony to which all nominees for 50 BEST PRODUCTS FROM BULGARIA will be invited, as well as guests from foreign diplomatic and trade missions, relevant institutions, business representatives, investors, and influential public figures.
THE BOOK
Exclusive print publication with a digital version, presenting a two-stage selection of innovative Bulgarian products from all fields.
COIN
Limited Edition gold coin with collectible value and a QR code providing access to the digital edition of the book.
A Pop-Up Exhibition
An exhibition in Sofia presenting nominated and awarded products live, allowing the public to see and experience them beyond the pages of the book - and also purchase them.
A Travelling Exhibition
A mobile exhibition that will travel across the country, visiting both small and large towns and cities.
Who may
apply
The inaugural edition of the national platform 50 BEST PRODUCTS FROM BULGARIA sets out to showcase what the Bulgarian economy has built over the past 37 years.
The selection is open to products created in Bulgaria or by Bulgarians – products distinguished by innovation, quality and sustainability, and either already present on international markets or holding clear potential to reach them.
Any company may apply, whatever its size, through our independent online platform. Each product is entered in one category only.
Entry is free of charge, regardless of how many products a company submits.
What matters to us is that the product carries a substantial and clearly recognisable Bulgarian imprint. The initiative recognises products made by companies with a genuine presence in Bulgaria, and products created by Bulgarians.
Applications are submitted in English, so that the international jury can assess them directly.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply if you are:
- a legal entity registered in Bulgaria, or
- a company registered in the EU/EEA with genuine economic activity in Bulgaria - a team based in the country, and development, engineering, manufacturing or operations carried out here.
The product must have been developed or manufactured by the applicant.
Assessment takes into account clarity of ownership, transparency of structure and long-term commitment to development in Bulgaria. For products created by Bulgarians based abroad, international distinction and market presence carry particular weight.
A product need not satisfy every criterion at once. Small and early-stage companies are expressly encouraged to apply.
The product must be created or developed by the applicant. Manufacturing may be in-house or outsourced, including outside Bulgaria.
The applicant must have played a substantial role in bringing the product into being - through concept, design, technology, engineering or another decisive part of the process.
Offering, distributing or reselling a product created by another company is not in itself grounds for entry.
The product must exist in reality rather than as an idea or prototype, and must be manufactured in series or made to order.
Outside the Scope of the 2026–2027 Selection
Services fall outside the scope of this selection, as do hotels, retreat centres, resorts, restaurants and similar venues. Educational programmes and training courses are likewise outside the scope of the 2026-2027 edition.
What We Are Looking For
Products created in Bulgaria that stand out for their innovation, quality and sustainability, and that already reach international markets or have the potential to do so.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online, through the initiative's independent platform at 50best.bg. Each product is entered in a single category. A company may enter more than one product, submitting a separate application for each.
Nominated Products Not Included in the Final Selection
Nominated products that do not reach the final selection in a given edition receive:
- Automatic consideration in the following edition, without the need to submit a new application - unless the company wishes to update its information or present a different product.
- An invitation to the Pop-up Pavilion and the initiative's travelling exhibition, under the status Nominated Product.
- An invitation to the initiative's events, including the official ceremony.
- Pro bono strategic support for 5 companies. 5 from the nominated companies that will not enter the final 50 will receive an international market development strategy and a financing strategy, prepared free of charge by our strategic partner, the Sofia Chamber of Commerce. The companies will be chosen by the team of 50 Best Products from Bulgaria and representatives of the Sofia Chamber of Commerce.
How Often the Selection Takes Place
50 BEST PRODUCTS FROM BULGARIA is held once every 2 years.
International jury
Read more
Julian
Daynov
Vess
Bakalov
Erik
Wolf
Dominique
Roques
Venelin
Kokalov
International jury
Dominique Roques
Health & Wellness
Erik Wolf
Food & Beverage
Julian Daynov
Design Products
Venelin Kokalov
Home & Quality of Life
Vess Bakalov
Advanced Technologies
Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation Criteria
Origin and Authenticity
The project supports and promotes Bulgarian entrepreneurial, creative, and value-adding potential.
The applying manufacturer must be:
- a legal entity registered in the Republic of Bulgaria
- a company registered in the EU/EEA that conducts substantive economic activity in Bulgaria
‘Substantive economic activity’ is defined as the presence of:
- a team based in Bulgaria
- R&D, engineering, manufacturing, or operational activities conducted within the country
The jury assesses clarity of ownership, transparency of corporate structure, and long-term commitment to development in Bulgaria. Each product may only be submitted in one category.
Innovation and Distinctiveness
Innovation may be:
- technological
- functional
- conceptual
- design-driven
- process-based
The jury evaluates the extent to which the product offers a new or improved solution, differentiates itself from existing alternatives, and creates genuine value for the end user.
The product need not be ‘revolutionary’ - what matters is that the innovation is meaningful, substantiated, and applicable.
Environmental Responsibility
The jury assesses the company’s holistic approach to:
- environmental stewardship
- the use of sustainable materials and resources
- responsible treatment of employees, partners, and clients
Holistic responsibility encompasses the balance between product, people, processes, and environment, as well as ethical business practices that exceed minimum regulatory requirements.
Traceability and Quality Assurance
The jury considers the extent to which the manufacturer:
- has clearly defined production and quality control processes
- ensures consistent product quality
- can trace the origin of raw materials, components, and key stages of production
Certifications (including ISO), internal standards, control systems, and transparency towards consumers are highly valued.
Sustainability and Market Performance
This criterion measures the genuine viability of the product through:
- a clearly defined target audience
- a logical market positioning
- potential for development and scalability
The jury assesses the product’s capacity to develop sustainably over time rather than its current success.
Economic and Social Impact on the Local Economy
Social responsibility may be expressed through:
- support for causes and communities
- creation of equitable working conditions
- inclusion of vulnerable groups
- educational, cultural, or social initiatives
Actions should be authentic, consistent, and sustained over a long term.
Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
The jury evaluates the contribution of the product and the company to:
- employment
- the development of local suppliers and partners
- the regional economy
The project encourages products that create value both for the end consumer and for the environment in which they operate.
Digital Transformation and Accessibility
This criterion examines:
- the use of digital technologies in production, sales, or communication
- the accessibility of the product - online presence, digital channels, and user orientation
High technological complexity is not required; what is valued is the meaningful application of digital solutions.
International Presence and Global Potential
The jury assesses the extent to which the product possesses:
- potential for international market realisation
- a competitive advantage beyond the domestic market
- a clearly articulated identity comprehensible to a global audience
Actual presence abroad is not mandatory, but readiness and applicability outside the national context are actively sought.
International Recognition
This criterion takes into account recognition already achieved externally, including:
- international awards and distinctions
- participation in prestigious exhibitions and professional forums
- coverage in international and specialist media
This criterion is not mandatory, but carries additional weight in the evaluation.
Origin and Authenticity
The project supports and promotes Bulgarian entrepreneurial, creative, and value-adding potential.
The applying manufacturer must be:
- a legal entity registered in the Republic of Bulgaria
- a company registered in the EU/EEA that conducts substantive economic activity in Bulgaria
‘Substantive economic activity’ is defined as the presence of:
- a team based in Bulgaria
- R&D, engineering, manufacturing, or operational activities conducted within the country.
The jury assesses clarity of ownership, transparency of corporate structure, and long-term commitment to development in Bulgaria. Each product may only be submitted in one category.
Innovation and Distinctiveness
Innovation may be:
- technological
- functional
- conceptual
- design-driven
- process-based
The jury evaluates the extent to which the product offers a new or improved solution, differentiates itself from existing alternatives, and creates genuine value for the end user.
The products need not to be ‘revolutionary’ - what matters is that the innovation is meaningful, substantiated, and applicable.
Environmental Responsibility
The jury assesses the company’s holistic approach to:
- environmental stewardship
- the use of sustainable materials and resources
- responsible treatment of employees, partners, and clients.
Holistic responsibility encompasses the balance between product, people, processes, and environment, as well as ethical business practices that exceed minimum regulatory requirements.
Traceability and Quality Assurance
The jury considers the extent to which the manufacturer:
- has clearly defined production and quality control processes
- ensures consistent product quality
- can trace the origin of raw materials, components, and key stages of production.
Certifications (including ISO), internal standards, control systems, and transparency towards consumers are highly valued.
Sustainability and Market Performance
This criterion measures the genuine viability of the product through:
- a clearly defined target audience
- a logical market positioning
- potential for development and scalability
The jury assesses the product’s capacity to develop sustainably over time rather than its current success.
Economic and Social Impact on the Local Economy
Social responsibility may be expressed through:
- support for causes and communities
- creation of equitable working conditions
- inclusion of vulnerable groups
- educational, cultural, or social initiatives
Actions should be authentic, consistent, and sustained over a long term.
Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
The jury evaluates the contribution of the product and the company to:
- employment
- the development of local suppliers and partners
- the regional economy
The project encourages products that create value both for the end consumer and for the environment in which they operate.
Digital Transformation and Accessibility
This criterion examines:
- the use of digital technologies in production, sales, or communication
- the accessibility of the product - online presence, digital channels, and user orientation
High technological complexity is not required; what is valued is the meaningful application of digital solutions.
International Presence and Global Potential
The jury assesses the extent to which the product possesses:
- potential for international market realisation
- a competitive advantage beyond the domestic market
- a clearly articulated identity comprehensible to a global audience
Actual presence abroad is not mandatory, but readiness and applicability outside the national context are actively sought.
International Recognition
This criterion takes into account recognition already achieved externally, including:
- international awards and distinctions
- participation in prestigious exhibitions and professional forums
- coverage in international and specialist media
This criterion is not mandatory, but carries additional weight in the evaluation.