KUMIHIMO TECH CAMP BY MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD RETURNS TO BULGARIA FOR ITS SECOND EDITION
Japanese tech giant Murata is looking for Bulgarian innovators to collaborate on next-gen hardware solutions with a social impact
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., a global leader in electronics and innovation, is proud to announce the return of Kumihimo Tech Camp to Bulgaria for its second edition. Following a successful launch in 2024, the initiative continues its mission to connect Japan’s world-class hardware and engineering expertise with the next generation of hardware innovators in Bulgaria.
This year, Kumihimo Tech Camp places a strong focus on tackling pressing social challenges – reflecting Murata’s commitment to creating a continuous cycle of social and economic value by addressing real-world needs through innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth. The 2025 edition is looking for innovative hardware solutions in the following domains: Robotics and Automation (Agritech, Industrial Robotics, Automation), Environmental Technology (including CO₂ reduction, water management, and circular economy), and HealthTech solutions (wellness, prevention, and medical devices).
Through hands-on collaboration, selected companies will gain access to a curated selection of Murata’s unique components and benefit from 5 months of personalized technical guidance from top Japanese engineers as they develop impactful, globally relevant technologies.
Eligible applicants include both early-stage startups with a working hardware prototype (at minimum MVP stage) and mature scale-ups with proven market traction.
Applications open on May 15 and close on June 30, 2025. The initiative will run from September 2025 through February 2026, culminating in a Demo Day in Sofia, where all participating teams will showcase their solutions to Murata executives. A major highlight of this year’s edition is the selection of three winning companies, who will be invited to Murata’s global headquarters in Kyoto, Japan, to present their innovations at an exclusive Award Ceremony.
Kumihimo Tech Camp is powered by Endeavor Bulgaria, and all participants will also gain unique access to Endeavor’s network of mentors, founders, and invite-only events.
Takayuki Kaneko, Director of Strategic Marketing at Murata Europe
“Following on from the huge success of the 2024 event, Kumihimo Tech Camp will be returning later this year for its 2nd iteration. The event, which takes place in Bulgaria, represents a fantastic opportunity for Murata to engage creatively with start-ups and scale-ups in the country.
This year, the event will focus on addressing real world issues that contribute to societal challenges by leveraging innovations in Robotics and Automation, Environmental Technology and HealthTech solutions. We are looking forward to meeting with applicant companies in due course, as well as building on the success of the 2024 event.”
With a rich history of designing and supplying cutting-edge solutions across various sectors, such as communications, automotive, healthcare, and consumer electronics, Murata has a distinguished track record of technological advancement. Headquartered in Japan, the company operates globally across six continents, showcasing its commitment to driving innovation on a global scale.
If you’re ready to partner with the global leader in electronics and turn innovation into real-world impact, apply for Kumihimo Tech Camp.
For more information and how to participate, please visit https://bulgaria.endeavor.org/kumihimo/