Devids Co-Founders Named Among Bulgaria's Top 60 Young Leaders in 20 Under 20 Initiative
This past Saturday evening at the "Panorama" hall of IEC Sofia, Bulgaria witnessed an extraordinary gathering of the nation's brightest young minds at the "20 Under 20" event. Among the 60 semifinalists selected from over 500 nominations were David Petkov and David Hristov, co-founders of Devids, our innovative Bulgarian software development company.
A Night of Recognition and Inspiration
The "20 Under 20" initiative represents Bulgaria's most prestigious recognition program for outstanding individuals under 20 years of age. This year's semifinals brought together an incredibly diverse group of young achievers - from Formula 2 drivers conquering world stages to social entrepreneurs creating meaningful change, from internationally acclaimed artists to scientific innovators making groundbreaking discoveries.
David Petkov was recognized in the Science and Technology category, reflecting his exceptional achievements in software development and his 10 national awards in IT competitions. David Hristov earned his place as a semifinalist in the Entrepreneurship category, acknowledging his business acumen and leadership in co-founding Devids.
The Power of Young Innovation
Among our fellow semifinalists were remarkable individuals who embody the spirit of Bulgarian youth innovation:
- •Nikola Tsolov - FIA Formula 2 pilot for Campos Racing and Red Bull Academy
- •Ivete Apostolova - Designer of the fashion brand Ivette Bianchi
- •Martin Atanasov - Creator of the "Black Track" project
- •Kristiyan Lambov - Founder of the "Life with Down Syndrome" foundation
These young leaders, along with 56 others, represent the future of Bulgaria across five key categories: entrepreneurship, science and technology, social impact and activism, arts, and sports.
Devids: From Competition Success to Business Innovation
Our journey to this recognition began long before the founding of Devids. Both David Petkov and David Hristov have consistently demonstrated excellence in their respective fields:
David Petkov's Technical Excellence:
- •Winner of 10 national awards in IT competitions
- •Built over 30 complete projects ranging from web applications to microservice platforms
- •Led a team of 8 developers on the MealMaster project in 2024
- •First place winner in the National IT Tournament 'John Atanasoff'
David Hristov's Entrepreneurial Vision:
- •Certified .NET Back-End Developer
- •Co-founder driving Devids' business strategy and growth
- •Gold medal recipient at the Bulgarian Mathematical Society's Student Science Section
Together, we have transformed our competitive achievements into real-world business success through Devids, where we specialize in custom software solutions and comprehensive digital transformation services for growing businesses across Bulgaria and Eastern Europe.
The True Value: Building Connections and Community
While the recognition itself is meaningful, the greatest value of the "20 Under 20" event lies in the connections forged and the community built. The evening provided an invaluable opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, exchange experiences, and establish a network of young leaders who will shape Bulgaria's future.
As one semifinalist remarked, the event succeeded in showing each participant "that they are on the right path - that they are not alone, but there are others like them: young people who create, act, and change."
Looking Forward: The Impact of Recognition
The "20 Under 20" initiative, organized by the Youth Advisory Council of the US Ambassador to Bulgaria (USYC), serves a crucial purpose beyond recognition. It creates a ecosystem where young talents can access mentorship, resources, and partnerships that accelerate their impact on Bulgarian society.
For Devids, this recognition validates our mission to help people solve real problems through innovative software solutions. It reinforces our commitment to excellence and positions us to expand our impact in the technology sector.
Our Gratitude and Commitment
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire "20 Under 20" team for creating this remarkable opportunity. The organizers not only delivered flawless execution but also succeeded in their greater mission - demonstrating to every young participant that innovation, dedication, and vision are recognized and valued in Bulgaria.
This recognition strengthens our resolve at Devids to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible in software development. As we move forward, we remain committed to our core mission: caring for people and their challenges, solving real problems through exceptional software, and contributing to Bulgaria's growing reputation as a hub for technological innovation.
The journey from competition victories to business success, and now to national recognition, reflects the opportunities available to young entrepreneurs in Bulgaria today. Through Devids, we will continue to demonstrate that age is no barrier to creating meaningful impact in the technology sector.
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