Lessons from practice: how local entrepreneurs motivated the next generation
On 03.06.2026, in the hall of the Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Business Innovation Center "Innobridge" organized a series of inspiring meetings between students from the PGIU - Ruse and five entrepreneurs from the local ecosystem. The initiative is part of the activities under Project No. BG‑RRP‑1.008‑0008 "Construction of an International Youth Center - Ruse" and aims to familiarize young people with the real entrepreneurial environment, challenges and opportunities for development in the region.
The following participated in the meetings:
- Ms. Silvia Kabaivanova – Fashion.bg
- Mr. Dean Manev – MTM Fashion
- Mr. Nikolay Tsolev – Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Mr. Airi Memishev - "Momentum Lab" Association„
- Mr. Milen Dobrev – Time Travel / Villa Dobrevi
Inspiring personal stories and practical advice
Ms. Kabaivanova shared her journey – from the first website and international partnerships to the creation of the fashion portal Fashion.bg and the development of a specialized fashion site in English. She talked about the „Fashion Week“ initiative and highlighted which educational and soft skills have helped her build a successful career. Her story became a natural introduction to the discussion about the students’ future plans and ambitions.
Dean Manev presented the activities of MTM Fashion through an interactive example, showing why quality is more valuable than massive advertising. He encouraged young people to make informed choices, look for their market niche, analyze the competition and assess the potential for scaling their ideas. Through a practical game, he demonstrated the negative effects of „bad multitasking“ and emphasized the importance of focus and constructive criticism, and most importantly – the desire to learn and improve.
A look at the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Ruse
Nikolay Tsolev presented the role of the Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry in promoting entrepreneurship and shared valuable observations about the processes that shape the local entrepreneurial environment. His contribution gave the students a broader perspective on how the business ecosystem in the region functions, how the conditions: economic, political, geographical, regulatory, etc., shape a given region as suitable or difficult for the development of entrepreneurship.
Airi Memishev introduced the youth to the new initiative Momentum Lab Association - an example of how an idea can become a sustainable project that not only develops independently, but also supports civil society. He spoke about the mission of the organization and the importance of active civic participation, which is a driver for development and the entrepreneurial spirit.
Entrepreneurship in different sectors
Milen Dobrev presented his company Time Travel and his successful tourism project – the Villa Dobrevi guesthouse. He emphasized that regardless of the sector, the principles of good management, consistency and customer focus are key to success.
The meetings turned into an active dialogue, questions and sharing of ideas. The students received valuable guidance, real examples and motivation to develop their skills and entrepreneurial thinking. The initiative is another step towards building a sustainable connection between young people and business in Ruse.
