What makes three successful Bulgarians, living far from home, dedicate their time to students in Bulgaria? What inspires them to share their knowledge and experience with young people taking their first steps in entrepreneurship?

Mila Nikolova, Georgi Medzhidiliev, and Desislava Ilieva may live in different countries and work in different fields, but they share a common mission: guiding and inspiring the next generation. As mentors in the Teenovator team entrepreneurship program, they meet weekly with high school sophomores and juniors from across Bulgaria, helping them unlock their potential and turn ideas into reality.

It is no small commitment—each cycle of Teenovator lasts nine months—but for Georgi, the time investment is beside the point. “Whether I work 55 or 62 hours a week makes little difference if I can contribute to the next generation,” he says. Desislava and Mila share his belief that knowledge only gains value when it is passed on. That philosophy makes them more than just mentors. It makes them catalysts for change.

Balancing Global Careers with a Commitment to Bulgaria

Despite holding leadership positions in international companies, Mila, Georgi, and Desislava still make time for causes they believe in. Georgi, based in Spain, runs a leading cybersecurity firm. Mila, who lives in Barcelona, manages a boutique digital marketing agency and a children’s nutrition startup. Desislava, in London, is part of the leadership team at a global bank. Their professional and personal lives are demanding, yet each of them carves out time to mentor through Teenovator.

“We don’t just share our time and knowledge; we invest emotionally,” Mila explains. “That’s what makes this commitment truly valuable.” Working with students from smaller towns in Bulgaria is particularly meaningful to her, as she knows that young people in these communities often need the most guidance and support.

Having lived in the UK for over a decade, Desislava is struck by how today’s teenagers approach the world. “They are far more socially aware than we were at their age,” she says. “They think about their communities and want to contribute.” For her, mentoring is not just about business; it is about hope. Every conversation with these students reassures her that Bulgaria’s future is in good hands.

From Ideas to Reality: Students Creating Startups That Make a Difference

Teenovator does not just teach students how to develop ideas—it helps them turn those ideas into working projects with real-world impact. Under the guidance of their mentors, students spend the academic year shaping their concepts. In January, during the Weekend of Ideas, they refine them into concrete solutions. Just as their mentors dedicate time and energy to passing on their knowledge, the students channel that inspiration into developing innovations that improve people’s daily lives.

One group of students has created a mobile app to help shoppers locate products in supermarkets more quickly. Another team is working on an AI-powered platform that automates video dubbing, giving content creators the ability to reach wider audiences. A third project takes a socially minded approach by developing a platform that connects students with employers in the tourism sector, helping young people find seasonal jobs in Bulgaria while also supporting businesses in reducing their dependence on foreign labor.

Georgi finds the process incredibly rewarding. “There is always that ‘Aha!’ moment in our online meetings when I see a student truly get it,” he says. “That’s when I know this is worth it.” Mila agrees, adding that student ideas often evolve in surprising ways. “At first, they think only within what they know. But as we guide them and ask the right questions, we see their thinking expand. They start to dream bigger.”

That, ultimately, is the goal of Teenovator—to help young people broaden their horizons and develop solutions that change their communities for the better.

The Impact of Teenovator

Teenovator is more than just an introduction to entrepreneurship. It gives students the confidence to express ideas, defend business models, and take initiative. For many, it is the first time they have dared to present their own project in front of an audience. Desislava has seen firsthand how the transformation unfolds. “I’ve watched students who were too afraid to speak at the start of the program stand up months later and present with confidence,” she says.

One of the defining moments of the program is the Weekend of Ideas, which, for students in the online club, is also their first opportunity to meet their mentors in person. “It felt like the first day of school—there were some nerves, but then the magic happened,” Desislava recalls. After that, the dynamic of the online meetings changed. Conversations became more natural, trust deepened, and a true sense of mentorship took root.

The impact of the program is clear. Interest in Teenovator grows every year. The latest edition welcomed a record-breaking 900 students from 35 Bulgarian cities, supported by more than 100 mentors, all eager to share their experience and help young people bring their ideas to life.

Mentorship as a New Form of Social Impact

More and more professionals like Desislava, Georgi, and Mila see mentorship not just as an act of sharing knowledge, but as a way to make a lasting impact on society. “Knowledge, when shared freely, is one of the most valuable gifts,” Georgi says. Teenovator does not just build practical skills—it creates a community where one generation’s experience fuels the ambitions of the next.

Desislava believes that more professionals should get involved. Mentorship, she explains, is about more than teaching entrepreneurship. It gives young people confidence, motivation, and belief in their own abilities. “When people helped me, I always felt I had to pay it forward,” she says. “That’s how communities grow stronger.”

The students in Teenovator are not just passive participants in this process. They are the ones driving change. “They are young, sharp, and eager to make a difference,” Mila says. Their passion for innovation and growth is what makes mentorship so rewarding.

For anyone who wants to be part of this movement, Teenovator offers the perfect opportunity. Becoming a mentor is a chance to pass on knowledge, inspire young people, and help shape Bulgaria’s future. No matter where you live, you can be part of a community that encourages young minds to dream, create, and lead.

Teenovator is a national team entrepreneurship program for 10th and 11th graders, made possible with the support of the America for Bulgaria Foundation.