The Ultimate Entrepreneurship Program

Important note on safety measures during the autumn edition

We are committing to follow the highest standard of safety measures to ensure the well-being of the participants in the program. Read more about them in this blog post.

What is ABLE Activator?

An exclusive 6-weekend entrepreneurship program that provides 30 ambitious self-starters with the:

Toolkit

Hands-on training and practical experience to design and launch your own venture, and develop a business plan to support it.

Knowledge

Workshops, content and contacts which will guide you along the journey of generating a breakthrough idea and developing it to a ready-to-launch version.

Ecosystem

Introduction into the Bulgarian entrepreneurial ecosystem and site visits to top innovative start-ups and companies.

Mentors

First-hand learning experience from successful innovators, internationally recognized lectors and business mentors.

Opportunities

Fosters your entrepreneurship mindset to enable creativity and self-confidence in everything you undertake.

ABLE Community

The opportunity to become part of the ABLE community: a group of 300+ active self-starters who aim to inflict a positive change in Bulgaria. .

Structure of the program

The program is divided in the following 6 modules.

Week 1 (9-11 October 2020)

Activation 40%

Leadership Mindset & Entrepreneusrhip

Module 1 is designed to enhance your leadership potential and strengthen your entrepreneurial mindset through a series of fun and challenging activities at a remote location.

Week 2 (16-18 October 2020)

Activation 50%

Start-up Immersion

Dive head first into the deep waters of start-up creation. Module 2 is dedicated to the process of refining an idea and the mechanisms behind turning it into reality.

Week 3 ( 30 October - 1 November 2020)

Activation 60%

Value Creation

Module 3 will take you through a series of practical exercises designed to equip you with the know-how to properly assess an entrepreneurial idea and maximize its value creation potential.

Week 4 (6-8 November 2020)

Activation 70%

Business Model, Pricing and Go To Market

Module 4 will introduce different strategies for conducting a business and generating revenue. Through series of simulations and games you will learn to identify the most appropriate business models for each idea.

Week 5 (20-22 November 2020)

Activation 80%

Marketing. Sales & Negotiations.

Finding the right approach to customers is tough. You, however, will face this task head-on, as Module 5 will focus on equipping you with the toolset to reach the right people and successfully promote and sell your products and services.

November 25

Activation 90%

Demo Day

On Demo Day, the stage and the mic will be yours. It is time to showcase your project and deliver a final pitch presentation in front of a Jury of entrepreneurs and investors as well as a large audience of people from the startup ecosystem.

Week 6 (28-29 November 2020)

Activation 100%

Welcome to the ABLE Community

For the final weekend we will again leave Sofia for the ABLE & The Activators Autumn retreat where successful participants will receive their certificates and be invited to join ABLE.

Each module will take place on a long weekend, typically starting at 7 PM on Friday. Weekends 1 and 3 will be outside of Sofia with accommodation provided.
Modules 1 and 3 will have activities during business hours of a week day (Friday, October 9th and Friday, October 30th). Applicants should plan to take those 2 days off-work/study to attend.
Each Wednesday we’ll have interactive lectures and panel discussions on various topics concerning the future development of your venture.
Finally, you’ll be taken to a special “Welcome to the ABLE Community” weekend retreat to celebrate success, meet other ABLE members and have fun.
ABLE Activator has a participation fee of 390 BGN. A limited number of scholarships will be provided for distinguished student applicants.

Ideal candidates are:

Problem Solvers

and proactive solution-hunters on the lookout for new and creative ways to resolve an issue.

Challenge Seekers

who embrace difficulties with an open mindset and aim to bring value through creativity and innovation.

Determined Self-starters

who aspire to be entrepreneurs and bring an impactful idea to life.

What do we provide?

First-hand learning experience from successful innovators, entrepreneurs and business leaders as well as site visits to startups and innovative companies.
Practical exercises that will lead you through the startup roadmap - from generating your breakthrough idea to its ready-to-launch version.
An in-depth understanding of key aspects of enterprise and innovation in a global context.
Safe and friendly environment where you can be creative, develop critical thinking, practice communication and collaboration, fail multiple times and improve.
Becoming part of the strong and impactful community of ABLE which works towards positive change in Bulgaria.

The Association of the Bulgarian Leaders and Entrepreneurs (ABLE) is a vibrant community of young people who make a difference wherever they go. We are a non-governmental organization, established by alumni of the Bulgarian Young Leaders Program (BYLP). Our mission is to develop an active civil society, inspire leadership and promote entrepreneurial culture in Bulgaria.