Academy for Start-up Entrepreneurs BASE
BASE – Business Academy for Start-up Entrepreneurs is a successful project of the Foundation “America for Bulgaria”, which has been implemented during the recent years in more than 20 municipalities in the country with partners such as the Srednogorie Industrial Cluster, National Association of SMall and Medium Businesses, Association of Bulgarian Leaders and Entrepreneurs, Trust for Social Achievement, “Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria”.
BASE aims to create a favorable environment for sustainable economic development in
different regions in Bulgaria and to encourage people to start and further develop their
businesses. The project is working towards transforming the communities by empowering them with business skills and presenting the opportunities for entrepreneurship that the region provides. The BASE program encourages participants to start businesses or expand their already existing ones.
The "Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria" is a natural partner in the BASE project with its over 200 corporate and individual members – leading managers and highly qualified experts with solid experience in the field of management and corporate culture, technology, education, and training, who stand with its name and expertise behind the Council's initiatives.
The Course of Study: All classes begin with an official opening ceremony, followed by the
conduction of the first lecture, and end with business plan presentations and certificates for successfully completed participants.
Duration: 13 lectures, 3 hours each, once a week
Lectors: All lectures are conducted by BASE’s official partner, who selects lecturers based on the topic. The course includes both theoretical and practical components, where students will solve real-life cases and engage in games. During the lessons, all participants have the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience from professionals in various business spheres.
Training: During the course, the participants gain knowledge and acquire new skills on how to build the base of their small business in Bulgaria, starting with evaluation of the idea, followed by financial and business management.
Tax: The program is free for all participants
Entrants should meet the following criteria:
● To stay motivated towards self-improvement and be prepared to enrich their
knowledge and skills;
● To be proactive, positive, and flexible;
● To be willing and ready to start and develop their own business;
● To be ready to commit time to attending the course and prepare at home.
People of all backgrounds are welcome to participate, including those who are currently
employed or unemployed, those who have temporarily left the workforce for personal reasons, individuals from diverse ethnic groups, mothers who have taken time off to care for their children, single parents, and young entrepreneurs looking to start their own business.
Business plan: The main goal of the course in BASE academy is for everyone to prepare a
business plan for their idea. This plan must follow a specific format described in the study aid, which will be provided to all participants. Presentation of business plans: The Business plans are presented to a competent jury, which chooses the three best projects to win a financial award. The presented business idea has to be realistic and the participants have a plan for its realization. All participants have five minutes to
present their ideas and after that, the jury has again 5 minutes dedicated to questions. To join in the competition, the participants are required to not have missed more than 2 lectures.
Awards: The Jury distributes a prize fund for 10,000 BGN, as follows: 5,000 BGN for first place, 3,000 BGN for second place, and 2,000 BGN for third place. In case there are additional funds, other prizes may be awarded.
BASE Club: Once a year, the BASE Club in Sofia holds an annual gathering organized by the America for Bulgaria; foundation where participants can share their successes and progress, present their businesses, and exchange experiences and ideas.
