Our next guest is a true community builder and a person with a passion and talent for connecting people.

Pavlina Yanakieva is the co-founder and CEO of Bulgaria Innovation Hub. A non-profit that aims to build bridges between Sofia and the Silicon Valley and help local entrepreneurs scale their businesses in the US market.

Before that Pavlina gained experience in sales, marketing, and network development at US Telecoms like AT&T and T-Mobile. She has also worked for Google and Cingular Wireless.

Pavlina has a degree in International Relations from San Jose State University in California. And she has specialized in entrepreneurship and product management at Stanford and Berkeley.

In her conversation with Georgi Nenov, she reflects on how to crack the culture code when it comes to the perception of entrepreneurship and failure in Bulgaria and the US.

She also talks about the power of networks, and her mission to support education in Bulgaria.

In the episode you’ll also hear:

👨‍👧How her grandfather taught her first entrepreneurial skills;

🏋️‍♀️ How to nurture a culture of confidence and self-worth in Bulgaria;

🏃‍♀️ What are Europe’s advantages in the competition for capital and talent with China and the US;