AmCham EU and Junior Achievement Europe (JA Europe) are delighted to announce that AMIRA Meditech, a Bulgarian start-up, is the winner of the AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award 2023. Following the previous three editions, this year was again dedicated to women entrepreneurs. Natalia Konova, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder captivated the jury with her dedication to fighting antimicrobial resistance and optimise antibiotic prescriptions in hospitals.
Bulgarian start-up AMIRA Meditech wins AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award 2023
AmCham EU and Junior Achievement Europe (JA Europe) are delighted to announce that AMIRA Meditech, a Bulgarian start-up, is the winner of the AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award 2023. Following the previous three editions, this year was again dedicated to women entrepreneurs. Natalia Konova, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder captivated the jury with her dedication to fighting antimicrobial resistance and optimise antibiotic prescriptions in hospitals.
To fight antimicrobial resistance, AMIRA has developed a software solution to optimise antibiotic prescriptions in hospitals. By monitoring and controlling antibiotic usage, AMIRA helps doctors save time and decreases hospitals' resources. Through one-of-a-kind prediction models and more quickly adapting to the guidelines for treating infections, AMIRA seeks to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics and save millions of lives. The algorithm is based on latest European and national guidelines for treating infections, as well as the legal documents of the antibiotics and each hospital's unique antibiotic resistance.
Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder Natalia Konova is a clinical pharmacologist at the Alexandrovska Hospital in Sofia, Bulgaria. She is also currently undertaking a PhD in improving the effectiveness and safety of antibiotics in hospital settings from Sofia’s Medical University’s Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology.
The distinguished jury was composed of Kelly Adams-Smith, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Mission to the EU; Daniel Calleja Crespo, Director-General, Legal Services, European Commission; Susan Danger, CEO of AmCham EU; Chris Delaney, President EMEA, Goodyear Europe ; and Eva Maydell, Member of the European Parliament. The jury had the difficult task of choosing a winner amongst three Junior Achievement Europe alumnae: Alexandra Dimitriadou, CEO and Co-founder of MammoCheck from Cyprus; Natalia Konova, CEO and Co-founder of AMIRA Meditech from Bulgaria; and Alexia Vasilaki, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Drug n Drop from Greece.
Upon receiving the prize of 10,000 Euros and the executive mentorship, Natalia said that 'the funding will allow the start-up to raise the issue of antimicrobial resistance amongst healthcare professionals and the general public, while the mentorship will help us grow and support patients across Europe.'
Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU, said: 'I am proud to continue the tradition of supporting emerging women leaders in business. Natalia Konova's story shows how much you learn by starting your own business, an important reminder as we celebrate the European Year of Skills. Entrepreneurship is the basis for driving innovation and creativity and spurring new businesses in a competitive world.'
Salvatore Nigro, CEO, JA Europe, said that ‘It is truly remarkable and significant that all three finalists this year are tackling some of the most pressing issues faced by our healthcare systems, and contribute to building a vibrant start-up ecosystem in Europe!’
The AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award was launched in 2013 to recognise young people who have chosen to become entrepreneurs and to foster entrepreneurship in Europe. The initiative is supported by AmCham EU's Executive Council and organised in collaboration with JA Europe. The winner is presented with a monetary prize toward their start-up and will receive mentorship from top European CEOs of AmCham EU member companies. AmCham EU also makes a contribution to the three local JA Europe organisations, recognising their contributions to fostering entrepreneurship at local level.
+++
About AmCham EU
AmCham EU speaks for American companies committed to Europe on trade, investment and competitiveness issues. It aims to ensure a growth-orientated business and investment
Related items
Position Paper
24 Feb 2026
Industry coalition calls for Internal market legal basis in the Circular Economy Act
Together with over 70 industry associations representing a wide range of sectors, AmCham EU has signed a joint statement calling for the upcoming Circular Economy Act to be grounded in an internal market legal basis. The statement highlights the need for harmonised EU rules to address fragmentation in waste management systems across Member States and support the development of a functioning Single Market for secondary raw materials. It also underlines the importance of a consistent EU framework to strengthen circularity, improve waste management performance and support investment in recycling and resource efficiency.
:focal())
News
24 Feb 2026
Closing the skills gap to restore Europe’s competitiveness
On Tuesday, 24 February, AmCham EU hosted Stefan Olsson, Deputy Director-General, Jobs, Skills and Social Policies, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission to discuss how closing the skills gap can strengthen Europe’s competitiveness. As shortages across sectors continue to affect productivity, investment and innovation, participants reflected on progress one year after the launch of the Union of Skills and the importance of sustained public-private cooperation. The discussion explored how Europe can build a future-ready workforce to support the green and digital transitions while addressing labour market mismatches. Aurelia Takacs (Cisco), Chair, Social Impact, Inclusion and Skills Committee, AmCham EU moderated the discussion and examined practical policy solutions to strengthen skills development, improve labour market alignment and support inclusive economic growth.
:focal())
News
24 Feb 2026
Four years since Russia’s invasion, American business in Europe stands firmly behind Ukraine
Four years ago, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On the anniversary of the invasion, the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) reiterates its condemnation of Russia’s aggression. It is a breach of international law and an assault on the values we stand for. The Ukrainian people have continued to demonstrate commendable bravery in the face of adversity and a growing humanitarian crisis.
American companies in Europe remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and are committed to the country’s reconstruction and recovery, underpinned by closer integration with the EU. Once peace is secured, the scale of the task ahead will be immense. Recent estimates from the World Bank put the cost of reconstruction and recovery at $588 billion over the next decade, underscoring both the urgency of action and the need to mobilise investment at unprecedented levels.
In the past year, policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic have launched initiatives to encourage security and future prosperity in Ukraine, not least the Ukraine Support Loan, the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund and the Flagship European Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. American businesses stand ready to support the success of these efforts, which can only fully achieve their objectives with long-term security and stability in Ukraine.
Policy priorities
Insights and advocacy driving Europe’s policy agenda. Our priorities support growth, innovation and a stronger transatlantic economy.
Membership
Connecting business and policymakers to strengthen the voice of American companies in Europe.