Named as one of the ‘Top 10 Coworking Spaces on Earth’, Betahaus Sofia plays an important role in the nurturing of creatives in Bulgaria. Being the first coworking space in the country, the buildings facilities act as a magnet for eager entrepreneurs and innovative thinkers that reside in the cultural melting pot. 

We exchanged words with Gergana from the space, who told us a little more about Sofia’s stylish stimulus.

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When did Betahaus Sofia launch?

Betahaus Sofia opened its doors in June 2012.

How big is the area?

Spread over three floors, we have 1800 sq m of space, including two communal workspaces, 11 private offices, a primary event space, two meeting rooms, and a café.

How many individuals and groups do you have working with you?

Our community is growing faster and faster. The members of the space at the moment are more than 180, working in different areas such as IT, business, marketing and design. 

We think of ourselves as a platform for community building, and support for likeminded people who dare to be entrepreneurs and are open to collaborate with each other in order to be more successful. We've built a really strong community of startups and freelancers who believe in co-working as a social mission, and as a way to develop professional networks around common values.

Is there a certain type of person that your space attracts?  

At the space now you can meet freelancers, startup companies, founders, mature companies, agencies or outsource ones, people  from all sectors looking to inspire and be inspired.

Have you had any notable successes come from people working in your space?

We are very proud to have hosted alumni companies such as Enhancv, Don’t DIY, Join The Players, Domestina, and Transmetrics.

What does Betahaus Sofia offer in terms of events to its members?

We're proud to not only be promoting the co-working movement, but to also be encouraging the young people of Bulgaria. We organise events such as ‘Betapitch’ and ‘Startup Job Fair’ that aim to support and develop the Bulgarian startup ecosystem.

Betapitch Sofia is our annual competition, which gives the opportunity to some of the most talented and promising startups to present their business plans and get expert feedback. The winner goes to the Betapitch Global & Investor Day in Berlin, where the team will compete against others from around the world.

Do your members collaborate often?

All the time! We create community events and the aim is to connect members. You can hear people talking everywhere in the building. They share skills and help to each other with the most valuable conversations and collaborations happening over a game of foosball.

What are your favourite aspects of the space?

Each space in our house is completely different and has it’s own spirit. These spaces give you the opportunity to create in a casual environment. We always say that our space is flexible — we can make interior changes every single day, so you’ll never get bored.  

What's next for Betahaus Sofia? What have you got planned?

It’s a secret, but it will be big!