The Innovation Terminal

SOF CONNECT x ENDEAVOR

The Innovation Terminal is an open innovation program run by Vasil Levski Sofia Airport (SOF Connect) together with Endeavor. Based on the airport’s real operational challenges, we’re looking for the strongest solutions to get tested in live airport zones – with a named owner inside the airport, real data, and a clear deploy/stop decision at the end.

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The Innovation Terminal is part of Sofia Airport’s ambition to become one of the most innovative regional air hubs in Europe. This is your chance to be part of it from the ground up.

Supported by the same partners driving the airport’s transformation: AWS, A1, SITA and Amadeus.

Sofia Airport is an international airport with genuine operational complexity: low-cost traffic waves, a Schengen and non-Schengen split with the new EU Entry/Exit System, winter fog and snow, and a private 5G network rolling out now. Here, decisions happen fast and a good pilot gets noticed - and the airport's innovation programme has its senior leadership firmly behind it, so promising pilots have a real path forward.

Five Tracks. 50+ Challenges

Each challenge is a real problem at Sofia Airport, with a clear measure of success. The list of challenges is a starting point, not a limitation – if your solution fits a track and delivers real value, apply.

Explore the Challenges

Who should apply

We are looking for startups, scale-ups and tech companies from the region with a working product – ready to implement or test it in a real operational environment. You’ll need a team ready to run the pilot in Sofia, and take it further afterward.

Timeline

Applications for Edition I are open until 30 November 2026.

The pilot phase will take place during 2027, with the results presented at a Showcase Night in September 2027. The final assessment of each project will lead to a clear decision on the next step – deployment, continuation of the pilot or conclusion of the project.

Jesus Caballero, CEO

“Our ambition is to make Sofia Airport one of the most innovative regional air hubs in Europe – and to build it together with the region’s boldest companies.”

Apply Now

Browse the Challenges

FAQ

Is there a participation fee?

Do we need aviation experience?

What regions can apply?

My solution isn't on the challenge list. Can I still apply?

Who should apply?

Companies with:

A working product – Technology already in use with paying customers (TRL 6+), not a concept.
Transferable technology – Aviation experience is a plus, not a must. If you’ve built AI passenger assistants, predictive maintenance, perimeter security, energy optimisation or back-office agents for retail, logistics, smart buildings or fintech, it transfers directly here.
AI agent builders – Teams that put supervised agents on top of existing systems and prove value within one edition.
Regional roots – Bulgaria, the Western Balkans, Greece, Romania and Türkiye are in focus – strong companies from elsewhere are welcome.
Integration-ready – Open APIs, EU data hosting, GDPR and security maturity. Familiarity with aviation data is a plus.
Able to deliver and scale – A team that can run a pilot in Sofia within the 12-month edition, and a business model beyond it.

How is each pilot set up?

It depends on what your solution needs. If it runs on existing airport data and systems with little or no new hardware, you could be live in 6 months. A typical pilot is a 6-12 month proof of concept in a live airport zone, working alongside a named owner inside SOF Connect, ending in a clear decision: deploy, continue, or stop. If your solution depends on new infrastructure, certification or regulation, we start with a scoped first step and build from there. Whatever the pace, scope, KPIs, data access and IP terms are all agreed before you start.

About SOF Connect

SOF Connect is the operator of Bulgaria’s largest international airport. In 2021, the company took over the management of Vasil Levski Sofia Airport under a 35-year concession agreement. Global infrastructure fund Meridiam owns 100% of SOF Connect. The concession project is a long-term plan to modernize the airport, raise service standards, improve the passenger experience and upgrade infrastructure to the highest international standards. Its ambition is to support Bulgaria’s economic growth, attract more visitors and strengthen the country’s position as a preferred destination.

Learn more about SOF Connect

Check out their wesite.
- Sofia Airport
- Meridiam

SOF CONNECT x ENDEAVOR

Five Tracks. 50+ Challenges

Who should apply

Timeline

Applications for Edition I are open until 30 November 2026.

Jesus Caballero, CEO

“Our ambition is to make Sofia Airport one of the most innovative regional air hubs in Europe – and to build it together with the region’s boldest companies.”

FAQ

About SOF Connect

Questions? Get in touch with the Endeavor Open Innovation team.

bulgaria@endeavor.org

SOF CONNECT x ENDEAVOR

Five Tracks. 50+ Challenges

Who should apply

Timeline

Applications for Edition I are open until 30 November 2026.

Jesus Caballero, CEO

“Our ambition is to make Sofia Airport one of the most innovative regional air hubs in Europe – and to build it together with the region’s boldest companies.”

FAQ

About SOF Connect

Questions? Get in touch with the Endeavor Open Innovation team.

bulgaria@endeavor.org

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