On this occasion, Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Mariya Gabriel said:
"I am particularly pleased to host this year's Startup Europe Summit in Sofia with a special focus on the Central and Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans region. The summit will feature inspiring discussions and present further ideas to link up the potential, dynamism and creativity of startups in these regions with EU policy initiatives. One pertinent example is the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans, which we launched in June in Sofia with the Western Balkans' leaders aimed to support the regional partners to succeed their digital transformation and bring about benefits and opportunities to citizens and businesses.''
She will also announce the winners of the 2017 Startup Europe Awards an initiative of the Commission aimed to feature and honour the most outstanding startups in the EU and neighbouring countries.