Varna hosts CONNEXUS 2026 Black Sea technology forum

The CONNEXUS 2026 Black Sea Software Congress took place in Varna, Bulgaria, from October 5 to 7. Held under the patronage of Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova, the forum brought together representatives from business, science, and public institutions from various countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Romania, Turkey, Japan, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Algeria.

The three-day event focused on strategic themes such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, automation, robotics, and digital transformation. Discussions aimed to position the Black Sea region as a significant hub for software and innovation. Key topics included the transition from low-cost labor to intelligent capacity and the adaptation of business models to AI-driven environments.

Organizers included the ICT Cluster Varna, the Municipality of Varna, the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Promotion Agency, BRAIN++ (a Bulgarian AI factory), and the Applied Research and Communications Foundation. The forum featured contributions from various officials, including the Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation, Ivan Vasilev, and the Minister of Tourism, Ilin Dimitrov.