Sofia study visit: Muzeiko and Sofia Tech Park
During the InnoBridge 2nd International Learning Workshop partners participated in an interesting study visit, which included on site visit of two locations: Muzeiko and Sofia Tech Park. These two locations were chosen by the Sofia partners in order to give their colleagues an insight into two different topics: fostering innovation among the youngest generation and linking academic research and start-up businesses.
Muzeiko is a children’s museum and science center, aimed to be a space where children can learn about science based on the concept of edutainment. Opened in September 2015, the 35,000 square foot museum is placed in an energy efficient building, which combines sustainable energies and an interesting design. The exposition is developed with the participation of over 500 Bulgarian scientists, entrepreneurs and artists.
The idea of Muzeiko is that children between 4 and 12 years of age learn through playing and experimenting; in fact, they can walk around the three floors of the building, trying the 130 scientific games, thereby learning about robotics, electronics, woodworking and 3D printing and much more.
InnoBridge partners were accompanied in their visit by two guides explaining the games and inviting partners to try them. Partners were very keen on trying games and discovering and rediscovering the natural world, paleontology, the space, etc. and they stop just because the visit came to an end and partners had to go to the second location of the study visit!
The second location was the Sofia Tech Park: recently started and run by the state-owned company “Sofia Tech Park” JSC, its aim is to foster innovation, research, and technology. The Park is meant to function as a space where the exchange of knowledge between the academic and the business world can take place and start-ups can be supported. In its buildings, both new and renovated, the Park will host applied research laboratories, an incubator, lecture areas and forums to host events.
After a brief introduction about the Park by the Executive Director, partners visited the laboratory complex and met with two start-ups in the incubator – Cleantech and Escreo, having the opportunity to talk to the people running them. The direct interaction with these young people allowed partners to grasp how they came up with their ideas and, especially, the enthusiasm displayed by these young people in carrying out their ideas and work.
“We were delighted to meet with the InnoBridge project participants during their study visit in Sofia Tech Park. This was a great opportunity for us to share what we do and what challenges we face in terms of stimulating an enabling environment for innovations. Exploring options together was both a reality check and a chance to get connected with the bigger European innovation community.”
Mariyana Hamanova, Cleantech
“It is inspiring to see how Sofia has managed to create a vibrant community with great potential.”
InnoBridge partner
For further information, you can visit muzeiko.com/en and sofiatech.bg/en/.
