Sofia, Bulgaria (March 20, 2026) — We Are Innovation has an exciting announcement – it has just secured its #55 partners and expanded to its 31st country. Bulgaria’s Institute of Market Economics (IME) has become the most recent organization joining the network.
IME’s mission encompasses developing and promoting policies and solutions based on the principles of a market economy, championing the rule of law, economic freedom and individual well-being. Through this partnership, WAI gains access to deep expertise and a contact point in a remarkable place.
Establishing a presence in Bulgaria strengthens WAI’s footprint in Eastern Europe, a significant growth market with emerging innovation hubs holding an extraordinary potential. Furthermore, Bulgaria’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia provides a natural bridge between the EU, the Balkans and nearby countries like Turkey and the Middle East, offering an unique social and cultural landscape worth exploring.
Krassen Stanchev, IME’s Board Chairman and one of its founders, underlines the importance of this collaboration, “The Institute for Market Economics is the first economic policy think tank of new Bulgaria and one the oldest free-market and classical liberal ones in post-Communist Europe, established 33 years ago. Now IME is joining the WAI group of like-minded organizations hoping to add an additional forward-looking and even more global element to its analytical and reform activities, promoting individual liberty beyond Europe.”
Federico N. Fernández, the CEO of We Are Innovation, also shares his thoughts on partnering up with IME and expanding to a new country, “Bulgaria sits at a fascinating crossroads, between the EU and the Balkans, between established markets and emerging ones. For WAI, partnering with IME means gaining a foothold in a region where the case for permissionless innovation is both urgent and full of opportunity. We see Eastern Europe as one of the next great frontiers for innovation-friendly policy, and IME is exactly the kind of partner you want by your side when opening that door.”
This partnership marks an important step in WAI’s continued growth, reinforcing its commitment to expanding into high-potential countries and collaborating with leading policy institutions. Together, WAI and IME are ready to set the stage for greater innovation, collaboration, and impact in Bulgaria and beyond.
ENDS
ABOUT THE INSTITUTE OF MARKET ECONOMICS (IME)
The Institute of Market Economics (IME) is the first and oldest independent economic policy think tank in Bulgaria. Its vision is of a free and prosperous society where the rule of law and economic freedom create the conditions for individual well-being and its mission of IME is to develop and promote policies and solutions based on the principles of a market economy: minimal government intervention, support for private initiative and competition, freedom of choice, and the protection of rights and contracts. To learn more about IME, visit https://ime.bg/en/.
ABOUT WE ARE INNOVATION
We Are Innovation is a dynamic network of individuals and institutions who deeply believe in innovation’s power to drive progress and solve the world’s most pressing problems. With over 50 think tanks, foundations, and NGOs based worldwide, We Are Innovation represents the diverse voices of a global civil society committed to advancing human creativity, adopting new technologies, and promoting innovative solutions. Through our collaborative approach and cutting-edge expertise, we are driving global transformative change. To learn more about our work, visit us at https://www.weareinnovation.global/.
