Discover essential survival tactics for economic downturns, explore digital strategies and tools as a key recovery factor and get away with practical ideas on building resilience for your business.
Discover essential survival tactics for economic downturns, explore digital strategies and tools as a key recovery factor and get away with practical ideas on building resilience for your business.
// Economic Debate //
Get ready for an electrifying debate as two economic experts clash, armed with their unique perspectives on navigating economic crises and fostering business resilience. Expect nothing short of a spirited discourse, offering contrasting viewpoints backed by years of expertise and research. From divergent theories on crisis origins to practical strategies for weathering uncertainty, this event is a must-attend for business leaders seeking actionable insights.
Panelists:
Prof. Richard A. Werner - Banking Expert | DPhil (Oxon), Linacre College, University of Oxford
Yasen Georgiev - Executive Director of the Economic Policy Institute (EPI)
Panel Moderator:
Zhivka Popatanasova - Business Journalist and Web Editor| BTV
// Discussion Panel //
In today’s dynamic landscape, technology is a key factor that guides us through economic storms. Join our expert panel and discover how technology can empower data-driven decision making, collaborative workforce strategies, customer centricity, and a culture of innovation. Don't miss this opportunity to equip your business with the tools and insights needed to thrive amidst economic challenges and transform your organization, ensuring sustained growth and agility in uncertain times.
Panelists:
Kurt Dobitsch | Chairman of the supervisory board, Nemetschek Group
Yves Padrines | CEO, Nemetschek Group
David Mills | Chairman of the board & CEO, Ricoh Europe
Michael Berger | President, DocuWare
Panel Moderator:
George Brashnarov - CEO | Nemetschek Bulgaria
Professor Werner is a distinguished banking and development economist, university professor and author. His research focuses on credit creation, monetary theory and sustainability issues. Additionally, he has advised numerous institutional investors and governments, including U.S. state pension funds, the Asian Development Bank, and the Japanese Ministry of Finance.
Yasen Georgiev is Executive Director of the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) – a Sofia-based think-tank with 25+ years of track record in researching, analysing and explaining economic and multidimensional trends in Bulgaria and South-Eastern Europe. His professional background includes the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense and Beiersdorf Bulgaria as well as visiting fellowships at the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry and German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. Main focus of his work is on the intersection of economy, public policy and international relations was sharped during his academic and extracurricular studies at Bulgarian and German universities.
Kurt Dobitsch is a distinguished business leader with extensive experience in supervisory roles, including serving on the boards of United Internet AG and as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Nemetschek SE. He has held prominent positions such as Vice President of Europe at Compaq Computer Corporation and CEO of Access Computer GmbH, demonstrating his expertise in corporate strategy, supervision, and the European market.
Prior to joining Nemetschek Group as CEO in 2022, Yves Padrines worked as a chief executive officer of Synamedia, a carve out from Cisco owned by Permira and Comcast/Sky, where he successfully established and transformed the world’s largest independent video software provider for Pay-TV, telco, media and OTT players.
David is the CEO at Ricoh Europe and Chairman of the Board. He is responsible for the overall performance and strategic direction of Ricoh subsidiaries across Europe, Middle East and Africa. He joined the Ricoh Group in 2008, having held several senior roles within the industry, including President of European operations at IKON.
Michael Berger leads research, product development, engineering, HR and finance in DocuWare Group. A technology leader and innovator, he is responsible for several additions to the DocuWare product portfolio such as DocuWare Cloud and Intelligent Indexing. Michael joined DocuWare in 2008 and his vision led the technology in the direction of cloud-based solutions. He became President in 2019. He holds a Ph.D in Computer Science, specializing in distributed and intelligent systems from the University of Dresden (TU).
For over 25 years, George Brashnarov has been working on the development of the IT industry in Bulgaria. He is best known as the founder and CEO of Nemetschek Bulgaria as well as founder and long-term chairman of the Bulgarian Association of Software Companies. He is also founder and board member of the Bulgarian ICT Cluster, founder and chairman of the European Software Institute – Center Eastern Europe. George is a firm believer that successful entrepreneurs should pay it forward and support the growth and development of startups. He is one of the first business angels and mentors in the country, one of the founders of Angels Club and an investor in the venture funds LAUNCHub and Eleven.
An early advocate for software development and digitalization, prof. Nemetschek started investing in software development in the 1960s. In the decades to follow, prof. Nemetschek developed and expanded the Nemetschek Group to a globally leading software provider for the AEC industry, currently having 14 product brands in its portfolio. The company founder still drives innovation to this day, holding a special place in the Nemetschek Group. He is also a founder of the non-profit "Nemetschek Innovation Foundation" based in Munich, with focus on promoting competence and excellence in the construction industry in the areas of research, teaching, innovation, and academic life.
Zhivka Popatanasova is a business journalist and podcast host. She has hosted "Business Start" on Bloomberg TV Bulgaria and contributed to bTV news and businessnovinite.bg. Her expertise spans business, economics, international politics, and entrepreneurial ideas.
Prof. Richard A. Werner
Banking Expert | DPhil (Oxon), Linacre College, University of Oxford
Professor Werner is a distinguished banking and development economist, university professor and author. His research focuses on credit creation, monetary theory and sustainability issues. Additionally, he has advised numerous institutional investors and governments, including U.S. state pension funds, the Asian Development Bank, and the Japanese Ministry of Finance.
Yasen Georgiev
Executive Director of the Economic Policy Institute (EPI)
Yasen Georgiev is Executive Director of the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) – a Sofia-based think-tank with 25+ years of track record in researching, analysing and explaining economic and multidimensional trends in Bulgaria and South-Eastern Europe. His professional background includes the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense and Beiersdorf Bulgaria as well as visiting fellowships at the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry and German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. Main focus of his work is on the intersection of economy, public policy and international relations was sharped during his academic and extracurricular studies at Bulgarian and German universities.
Kurt Dobitsch
Chairman of the supervisory board of Nemetschek Group
Kurt Dobitsch is a distinguished business leader with extensive experience in supervisory roles, including serving on the boards of United Internet AG and as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Nemetschek SE. He has held prominent positions such as Vice President of Europe at Compaq Computer Corporation and CEO of Access Computer GmbH, demonstrating his expertise in corporate strategy, supervision, and the European market.
Yves Padrines
Chief Executive Officer, Nemetschek Group
Prior to joining Nemetschek Group as CEO in 2022, Yves Padrines worked as a chief executive officer of Synamedia, a carve out from Cisco owned by Permira and Comcast/Sky, where he successfully established and transformed the world’s largest independent video software provider for Pay-TV, telco, media and OTT players.
David Mills
Chief Executive Officer, Ricoh Europe Corporate Vice President, Ricoh Board Member, Ricoh Europe
David is the CEO at Ricoh Europe and Chairman of the Board. He is responsible for the overall performance and strategic direction of Ricoh subsidiaries across Europe, Middle East and Africa. He joined the Ricoh Group in 2008, having held several senior roles within the industry, including President of European operations at IKON.
Michael Berger
DocuWare, President
Michael Berger leads research, product development, engineering, HR and finance in DocuWare Group. A technology leader and innovator, he is responsible for several additions to the DocuWare product portfolio such as DocuWare Cloud and Intelligent Indexing. Michael joined DocuWare in 2008 and his vision led the technology in the direction of cloud-based solutions. He became President in 2019. He holds a Ph.D in Computer Science, specializing in distributed and intelligent systems from the University of Dresden (TU).
George Brashnarov
Chief Executive Officer, Nemetschek Bulgaria
For over 25 years, George Brashnarov has been working on the development of the IT industry in Bulgaria. He is best known as the founder and CEO of Nemetschek Bulgaria as well as founder and long-term chairman of the Bulgarian Association of Software Companies. He is also founder and board member of the Bulgarian ICT Cluster, founder and chairman of the European Software Institute – Center Eastern Europe. George is a firm believer that successful entrepreneurs should pay it forward and support the growth and development of startups. He is one of the first business angels and mentors in the country, one of the founders of Angels Club and an investor in the venture funds LAUNCHub and Eleven.
Prof. Georg Nemetschek
Founder, Nemetschek Group
An early advocate for software development and digitalization, prof. Nemetschek started investing in software development in the 1960s. In the decades to follow, prof. Nemetschek developed and expanded the Nemetschek Group to a globally leading software provider for the AEC industry, currently having 14 product brands in its portfolio. The company founder still drives innovation to this day, holding a special place in the Nemetschek Group. He is also a founder of the non-profit "Nemetschek Innovation Foundation" based in Munich, with focus on promoting competence and excellence in the construction industry in the areas of research, teaching, innovation, and academic life.
Zhivka Popatanasova
Business Journalist
Zhivka Popatanasova is a business journalist and podcast host. She has hosted "Business Start" on Bloomberg TV Bulgaria and contributed to bTV news and businessnovinite.bg. Her expertise spans business, economics, international politics, and entrepreneurial ideas.
Grand Hotel Millenium Sofia (Vitosha 89B Blvd), Floor 4, Shakespeare Hall
- Irene Maria Plank, The Ambassador of the German Federal Republic in Bulgaria
- Ramon Harps, vice-president of the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DBIHK)
- George Brashnarov, CEO of Nemetschek Bulgaria
- prof.Georg Nemetschek, founder of Nemetschek Group
Economic debate
From divergent theories on the root causes of economic crises to conflicting advice on how businesses can build resilience, our panelists will engage in a spirited debate, offering valuable insights and practical tips for business leaders seeking to thrive amidst uncertainty.
Featuring: Prof. Richard A. Werner and Yasen Georgiev
Moderated by: Zhivka Popatanassova
Discussion Panel
Insights on how businesses and individuals can adapt and build resilience in the face of economic uncertainty, leveraging digital tools and technologies.
Featuring: Kurt Dobitsch, Yves Padrines, David Mills, Michael Berger
Moderated by: George Brashnarov
