The High-Tech Summit for the Black Sea (HTS4BS), organized under H2020-funded BRIDGE-BS, is a significant research-based forum focused on ocean digitalization and Industry 4.0. It brings together blue economy innovators from the Black Sea region and beyond, fostering dialogue among industry members, academia, research organizations, investors, policymakers, and civil society.  The first edition took place in Varna, Bulgaria in September 2022, and the second edition is set to take place in Sofia, Bulgaria on the 16th of October 2024 with in-person attendance.

Building on BRIDGE-BS's first outcomes and local and regional stakeholders' inputs gathered through Living Labs in the pilot sites, the HTS4BS will showcase business ideas supported by the Black Sea Accelerator, with discussions spanning from renewable maritime energy, sustainable aquaculture, blue biotech, green and digital ports, yachting, circular economy, environmental monitoring, and marine security.

There will be interactive sessions offering posters and stands for showcasing business ideas, projects, and matchmaking with partners and investors.

The HTS4BS will showcase the business ideas supported by the Black Sea Accelerator (BSA), promoted jointly by the BRIDGE-BS and DOORS projects, and host pitching sessions targeting international sustainable investors, featuring BSA participants who made a greater improvement throughout the acceleration support.

Additionally, to maximize synergies with other relevant actions in the Black Sea, the 2nd edition of the HTS4BS will be organized back-to-back with the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP) Regional Workshop for the Black Sea that will also take place in Sofia.

Venue:  International Business School, Sofia Bulgaria
Date: 16 October, Sofia, Bulgaria
Format:  In person