Place of residence: Sofia (company Test Service Ltd.)

Position: Business Development Lead

Please describe a day in your life

A typical day for me starts around 7:00 in the morning.

After walking my dog, I like to start with a review of some emails, news, and the first coffee of the day while still being at home. Usually, I am at the office around 9:00 and dive immediately into the conversations with my colleagues about the planned schedule and discussions about any issues or current challenges in our projects.

My work at the moment requires spending a long time researching information, making phone calls, or having online meetings, and it seems to be rather predictable. However, a typical day almost always holds an unexpected turn of events, either in the form of a new customer request which needs to be handled, or a certain challenge which requires more time in finding the most appropriate solution.

In the afternoon, I try to make room for a quick sports activity, which is why I leave the office between 17:00 and 18:00 in case there is no urgent matter to tackle or a project deadline to fulfil. Later in the evening, I spend time with my family and almost always either continue with some work for an hour or two, plan the next day or any upcoming activity, read, or listen to podcasts.

How many projects are you currently working on? Please describe them

Most of my professional life has been linked to the family business, starting from my school and student years as a young apprentice, learning to understand and appreciate the work at almost all departments and later on developing as professional with focus on sales and marketing. Currently, our company is one of the leading providers of backup power equipment and services in the Bulgarian market. We are at a stage where we want to implement several projects for innovation in order to adhere to the growing customer demands for digitalisation and process optimisation.

On the other hand, I am excited to be part of the team in an Austrian chemical R&D services organisation as a consultant, where my efforts are focused on establishing and growing a network of stakeholders – customers, and partnerships with a common goal to replace fossil-based additives with naturally derived ones and thus foster the transition to sustainability in industrial manufacturing.

In your opinion, who is the most influential person/company in the world of technology these days?

The most influential people and companies in technology these days definitely represent the world of AI. I would say Sam Altman, but also Jensen Huang.

Sam Altman, the person behind OpenAI, is interesting with his vision promoting that despite the rapid advancement of AI, there should be a great emphasis on how AI should be used responsibly. Altman has also been a major force in the startup world.

Then there’s Jensen Huang, the CEO of NVIDIA. What’s interesting about him is that he helped turn a company that originally made graphics cards for video games into one of the key players in the entire AI industry. The technology NVIDIA makes is now used to power most of today’s AI systems – it is what helps computers process huge amounts of information very quickly. Huang seems like someone who leads with both vision and humility, and who really understands how to stay ahead by thinking long-term.

If you could pick one app/product/project existing now that you wish you were involved in, what would it be?

What draws my attention and ignites my passion is business with a cause, one which contributes to solving a social or environmental problem.

If I were to name a world-renowned app, I would say Spotify. It is very impressive how the founders thought of creating a platform which provides such a huge amount of music by collaborating with the musical industry and thus eliminating the widely used unlicensed and illegal practices of older platforms for free sharing of MP3 tracks. I think Spotify is an example of a product which is created through the implementation of economic cleverness and business ethics, all done in the exact moment of time when the smartphones and mobile internet was taking off.

I also have to mention a Bulgarian project which I follow and sympathise with, a platform called The Nold. It is a pioneering marketplace platform that fights the pollution footprint of the fashion industry by promoting a circular economy through resale. The platform thrives thanks to the extensive use of AI to personalise the customer’s experience, a quick and easy process of listing goods for sale, and a series of partnerships which provide exclusive offers.

How do you see technology evolving in the next ten years?

Technology is moving so fast that it is hard to even imagine where it will be in ten years. What we do know is that AI is already transforming how we work, learn, and create. This will happen even faster and have a greater impact with the further development of generative AI. Over the next decade, it will not just support innovation, it might actually drive it.

While I do have some concerns, particularly around ethics and human impact, I am genuinely excited about how technology could advance the natural sciences and especially medicine. The potential to improve diagnostics, discover new treatments, and personalise healthcare is truly groundbreaking.

What are the three characteristics you have that make you successful in tech?

Not just in tech, but in any professional field, I will first say consistency and discipline. I have not always been disciplined and able to stick to a plan, but with time, I have realised these are some of the most important traits one needs to succeed and thrive regardless of the chosen path.

In addition, I try to stay openminded for the opportunities around and I am constantly in search for interesting projects, novelty and learning.

What is the most challenging thing you had to deal with during your career?

I had to take over a management position at a newly established company that offered innovative solutions for building sports facilities at a very young age, and I faced the challenge of leading a team of highly competent people with little experience and little guidance. I had my moments of doubt and insecurity, but at the same time, I was feeling excited and motivated about building something from scratch. This was the time when I realised the power of teamwork and the huge level of support and encouragement the team members can have for each other, which is why our company was successful in just a couple of years.

What is your greatest achievement up until today?

That would be the same thing that was most challenging for me: starting and growing a business with no experience before even completing my university degree.

What is your next goal?

I like to keep myself focused on one goal at a time.

Currently, my most imminent goals are directly linked to the outcome of the ongoing projects for which I am responsible. One is related to the Austrian project at Wertec GmbH, where I am focusing on bringing more light to the possibility of creating customized sustainable solutions for manufacturers in the plastics and rubber industries.

In my family business I am focused in successfully implementing the changes in the company strategy and structure.

What tips do you have for people wanting to start in the tech world?

Let your creativity wander freely – explore any subject that sparks your interest without limiting yourself through prejudice or self-doubt. Take full advantage of the vast sea of knowledge, which is at your fingertips like never before, but at the same time, always stay true to your values and remember the human side of every pursuit.

If you could say something to your younger self, what would it be?

Well, my younger self would definitely need to hear some advice. I think that the most important guidance I would give myself is to take it easier. To be less serious, to take failure with more ease, and to give myself a chance to explore more opportunities professionally.

Which famous person would you like to have dinner with and why?

It is hard to point out one person, but I would like to choose people who are both exceptional in their professional field and, at the same time, admirable humanists who support individuals and communities.

For that reason, I would choose Tim Cook or the Bulgarian professor Minko Balkanski.

Tim Cook intrigues me with his calm, values-driven leadership at Apple. He shows that success can be achieved through integrity, focusing on privacy, sustainability, and inclusion in a fast-paced tech world.

Professor Minko Balkanski, on the other hand, is a brilliant scientist who fled his country in communist times but never forgot his roots. His dedication to supporting young minds in Bulgaria through education and philanthropy is deeply admirable.

I’d love to be able to talk to these exceptional individuals and learn more about their characters, beliefs, and real motivations.

Where would you like to travel next?

There are several countries that are on my list of travels – I love Latin America and I would like to go to Argentina and Chille. Japan is another enchanting land.

What did you dream of creating/inventing/doing as a child?

I wanted to become a medical doctor as a child. I decided to go for the business world, but I am still fascinated with medicine and all the advanced developments and discoveries about new diagnostics and treatments.