Future Unicorns’ Next Chapter
Pavlina Yanakieva Steps Down After Seven Years
After leading one of Central and Eastern Europe’s most influential accelerator programs for nearly seven years, Pavlina Yanakieva is stepping down as CEO of Future Unicorns, formerly known as Bulgaria Innovation Hub. The organization has served as a vital bridge between ambitious founders from the CEE region and Silicon Valley since 2019.
Impact and Achievements
What began as a bold concept has evolved into a globally recognized platform that nurtured 10 cohorts and 71 alumni companies. The accelerator helped startups across the region raise over $434 million in funding and generate more than 2,600 jobs. With eight successful exits and a strong network spanning two continents, Future Unicorns has become a strategic launchpad for scaling from CEE to global markets.
Leadership Transition
As Pavlina concludes her impactful tenure, Konstantin Kunev, who has played a central role in developing the program’s ecosystem from Sofia, will assume leadership. His goal is to guide Future Unicorns into a new stage of strategic growth.
Reflections and Vision Ahead
“Building a bridge between two ecosystems has been both a challenge and a privilege,” said Pavlina Yanakieva as she reflected on her journey.
Looking forward, Kunev shared how the initiative will evolve to serve the new generation of founders while upholding the core values that have defined its success. Together, Yanakieva and Kunev emphasized the importance of maintaining ambition and collaboration as CEE entrepreneurs prepare to take their companies to the global stage.
Author’s Summary
Pavlina Yanakieva passes the Future Unicorns torch to Konstantin Kunev, marking a new growth phase for this CEE accelerator bridging innovators with global opportunities.