Creating an innovation centre by involving key stakeholders
About this good practice
The Regional Innovation Centre (RIC) “Ambitious Gabrovo” was established in 2019 as a strategic initiative to serve as a central coordinating and networking hub within Gabrovo's evolving innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Its foundation aligns closely with Gabrovo's strategic priorities, which focus on innovation-led development, digital transformation, and the advancement of competitive, knowledge-intensive sectors such as mechatronics, information and communication technologies (ICT), and the creative industries. RIC operates as a non-profit association serving the public interest.
Based on the quadruple helix model, the Centre was created through an inclusive, collaborative process that employed an “open innovation” approach designed to stimulate multi-stakeholder collaboration. This model integrates government, academia, business, and civil society to co-develop innovative solutions tailored to regional needs and challenges. The Centre plays an important role in creating a feasible institutional framework that brings all participants together in a legitimate way.
“Ambitious Gabrovo” plays a pivotal role in aligning and enhancing regional innovation efforts. It actively supports SMEs and startups, fosters digitalisation and green transitions, and promotes cross-sector collaboration. The Centre contributes significantly to Gabrovo's broader objective of becoming a climate-neutral city by 2030 and a prominent contributor to the European innovation ecosystem.
Resources needed
Since its creation, RIC “Ambitious Gabrovo” has been attracting financial resources for the realization of many projects. Its annual income has reached up to €300 000. It has a permanent staff of 6 people, with other external experts involved in individual projects.
Evidence of success
RIC was founded in 2019 as a small NGO and expanded significantly over six years. Locally, it collaborates with 12 companies in mechatronics, clean tech, and ICT, the Technical University of Gabrovo, the Municipality, the Regional Administration, and the Chamber of Commerce. Its key achievement is becoming the lead partner and coordinator of the European Digital Innovation Hub for Bulgaria’s North Central region (NUTS 2).
Potential for learning or transfer
“Ambitious Gabrovo” plays a key role in coordinating regional innovation, supporting startups and SMEs, advancing digitalization and the green transition, and fostering cross-sector collaboration.
Originating from local collaboration between authorities, SMEs, and academia, Gabrovo’s RIC evolved into a European Digital Innovation Hub within just five years. This role enabled it to attract new partners across the NUTS 2 North Central region—universities, regional administrations, and companies—extending its impact beyond Gabrovo. The model’s success lies in strong multi-level governance, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and alignment with EU priorities. Involving academia and research institutions is central to generating and sharing knowledge across all stakeholders. Its experience demonstrates how coordinated, place-based innovation efforts can grow and scale, offering practical inspiration for regions with shared ambitions but diverse starting conditions.