This initiative has been a natural continuation of the AmCham Hackathon, designed to build on the amazing partnerships and collaborations formed during its previous editions.
The pilot edition of Step Ahead successfully connected 26 students from different universities with experienced professionals from the pioneering companies – IBM Bulgaria, Kyndryl Bulgaria and MSD Bulgaria. Over five months, participants developed practical skills, confidence, and career readiness, with outcomes including completed projects, internship opportunities, and stronger professional perspectives.
Building on this success, the second edition is growing both its academic and corporate network, welcoming Medical University – Sofia and Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv, alongside new corporate partners – Fantastico Group, Sensata Technologies, Kaufland Bulgaria, Moto-Pfohe and UniCredit Bank, who will contribute mentors and speakers and host the program’s joint sessions.
Our Vision
Launched as a pilot project, the AmCham Step Ahead Mentoring Program, with its second edition, is becoming a regular feature of the AmCham calendar and an integral part of the post-Hackathon experience – amplifying its impact, value, and long-term benefits for all participants.
Looking ahead, the program will expand to include more companies, offering even greater opportunities for collaboration. Companies participating in the AmCham Hackathon are encouraged to plan ahead to extend their Hackathon experience through the Mentoring Program and maximize their benefits.
Program Overview
What: A mentoring program connecting students with professionals from leading AmCham companies for continuous learning, guidance and collaboration.
When: Starts in November 2026 – until end of March 2027
Who: 3rd and 4th year students from the following majors: Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, Information Technologies, Computer Science, Humanitarian Studies, Medicine with intermediate or advanced English skills.
Mandatory requirements for program completion:
- Participation in face-to-face group events (approximately 7 events anticipated during the 5-month period)
- Active engagement with the selected mentor at least once a month in a mutually agreed format (either face-to-face or virtually)
What’s in it for Students
- Join the AmCham Mentoring Program to gain real insight into the business world and explore career opportunities with leading companies.
- Through one-on-one mentoring and group sessions, you will build confidence, develop essential business skills, and expand your professional network.
What’s in it for Companies
- Companies participating in the AmCham Hackathon are encouraged to plan ahead to extend their Hackathon experience through the next edition of the Mentoring Program and maximize their benefits.
- The AmCham Mentoring Program lets you mentor talented students, collaborate on fresh ideas, and engage with the next generation of professionals.
- Participating companies can nurture future talent, boost brand visibility, give back to the community, and build meaningful connections.
How to participate:
To apply for the AmCham Mentoring Program, students need to fill in the Application Form at the link below, answering all required fields, no later than October 31st, 2026. Providing your CV is optional.
How to Reach Out:
If you have any question about the Step Ahead Mentoring Program, you may contact the Project Manager Veneta Sapoundjieva, IBM Bulgaria, at baneva.veneta@bg.ibm.com or Iva Pavlova, AmCham, at iva@amcham.bg.
Participating Companies
IBM Bulgaria
IBM is a value-driven company with people who create and apply technologies to make the world work better. Today, thousands of IBM employees around the world invent and integrate hardware, software, and services to enable forward-thinking enterprises, institutions, and individuals to succeed and build a smarter planet.
Department provided by IBM Bulgaria:
- Technology Lifecycle Services
Kyndryl Bulgaria
We have the world’s best talent that design, run, and manage the most advanced and reliable technology infrastructure each day. We are a focused, independent company that builds on our foundation of excellence by creating systems in new ways.Our experience speaks for itself: We have tens of thousands of highly skilled employees around the world serving most of the Fortune 100 companies.
Kyndryl in Bulgaria has been present on the local market mainly thru Kyndryl Collaborative Centre supporting our own Kyndryl organization and transformation. Kyndryl’s unmatched expertise and our unique intellectual property positioned Kyndryl as a compelling and trusted partner for our customers across the world. Kyndryl Bulgaria Collaborative is supporting our internal stakeholders with expertise in finance, procurement, business operations, and transformation area. Our Culture the Kyndryl Way underpins everything we do – from the way we engage with customers to the way we organize ourselves. We are committed in our Kyndryl mission to be our customers’ most vital IT services partner – delivering transformational business outcomes.
Departments, provided by Kyndryl Bulgaria:
- Finance & Operations
- Procurement
MSD Bulgaria
MSD (known as Merck & Co. in the United States and Canada) is a leading global research-intensive biopharmaceutical company with more than 130 years of experience in discovering and developing innovative medicines and vaccines. Guided by its purpose to use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives, MSD is focused on addressing some of the world’s most significant health challenges, including cancer, infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and vaccine-preventable diseases.
With a presence in Bulgaria for more than 30 years, MSD Bulgaria has established itself as a trusted healthcare partner and a leader in the prescription medicines market.
Departments, provided by MSD Bulgaria:
- Regulatory Affairs
- Pharmacovigilance
- Market Access
Sensata Technologies
Sensata Technologies is a global industrial technology company with more than 100 years of innovation in sensor-rich and mission-critical solutions. With over 16,000 employees across 13 countries, we help make products safer, cleaner, more efficient, and increasingly electrified.
In Bulgaria, Sensata employs nearly 3,500 people across manufacturing facilities in Botevgrad and Plovdiv, as well as a Business Center, Engineering Center, and Test Laboratory in Sofia. Our teams contribute to the full product lifecycle, from concept and design to production and customer support for global markets.
Departments, provided by Sensata Technologies:
- Production & Quality*
- Demand Planning
- Engineering
*Please Note: In-person mentoring sessions will take place in Plovdiv. Additional group sessions within the program will be held in person in Sofia.
Fantastico Group
FANTASTICO GROUP is a family-owned company and one of Bulgaria’s leading retailers. Operating under the FANTASTICO brand, the company manages 48 modern supermarkets across Sofia, Bankya, Pernik, Elin Pelin, Kyustendil, Botevgrad, and Plovdiv. FANTASTICO GROUP’s diverse portfolio also includes SkyCity Mall, MegaXtreme Bowling, MyChoice Catering and Event Space, and the JoyStation event center. The company employs more than 3,700 professionals.
Departments, provided by Fantastico Group:
- Corporate Communications and Social Responsibility
- CRM, Market Research and Analyses
- Executive Office
Kaufland Bulgaria
Kaufland Bulgaria is the retail chain with the widest product selection, offering 24,000 food and non-food items. The company’s annual turnover is over BGN 2 billion. It is one of the largest private employers in the country, with a team of more than 8,000 employees. In 2026, the company operates 71 hypermarkets across 35 cities. Since entering the Bulgarian market in 2006, Kaufland has aimed to stimulate the national and regional economy, as well as local infrastructure, with total investments reaching BGN 1.6 billion. The company continuously expands its sustainable development policy and, under the motto “Actions Bring Change,” commits to various social and environmental initiatives – from implementing energy-efficient technologies and designing eco-conscious new buildings to supporting vulnerable groups and reducing plastic usage.
Departments, provided by Kaufland Bulgaria:
- Public Relations
- Human Resources
- Data&AI / Business Analytics
- Trade