From Strashimirovo to "30 under 30" Europe with a passion in its heart!
We are excited to tell you about the most striking reflection of our tireless work, namely the distinction of Slavena Rodinova in the "30 under 30" ranking of the most prominent young people in Europe, organized for the 9th time by Forbes.
The 2024 edition of the selection includes 300 young people under the age of 30 from all over Europe, with only 3 of them being Bulgarians.
Forbes Bulgaria: “Rodinova and Karakashyan are also part of the Bulgarian selection “30 under 30”. Slavena Rodinova takes over the development of the family chili pepper farm, created by her father. Slavena takes over sales, marketing, advertising, relations with partners and the vision of the Hot Farm brand. She expands the farm, which from 900 sq. m. today is 16 acres, finds distributors in Poland and China, and revenues increase several times. Today, Hot Farm’s portfolio includes over 40 products. Hot Farm certifies the hottest Bulgarian pepper “Bulgarian Spirit” and offers a cayenne nutritional supplement.”
Kosta Karakashyan is a director, producer and choreographer who combines art and activism. He is one of the creators of the first impactful immersive performances in Bulgaria at locations such as the Gabrovo landfill and the HRC culinary academy. Karakashyan is the creator of the production company Studio Karakashyan and the dance troupe Karakashyan & Artists. In 2019, his dance documentary WAITING FOR COLOR about the persecution of LGBTI+ people in Chechnya was selected at over 30 festivals worldwide. He is also the creator of the film Surrender and the dance film “In Her Skin”, directed with Antonia Georgieva.
Stoyan Stoyanov is a designer, screenwriter, and director. He is a former designer on Cyberpunk 2077, a game that has sold over 20 million copies. He is currently the game director at Jyamma Games, a Milan-based AA studio with a team of 55 people. The company has a multi-million dollar partnership with SEGA and support from the Italian government.
Slavena herself also shared inspiring words about the recognition: "With great excitement, happiness and gratitude, I share with you that I am part of the Forbes "30 under 30" Europe selection for 2024! The world we live in today provides opportunities. An ordinary girl from the village of Strashimirovo, together with her family, built a successful business related to growing hot peppers and producing hot products, in just a few years. When I started on my path - at first dedicated only to the farm and spending all my time there to get acquainted with every part of the process of creating a product - from a seed to its realization, many people said that there was not much point in what I was doing with this niche business. And that "a young girl has much more potential than being involved in farming and hot peppers.." Surely every effort then and now is worth it! I have always believed very strongly in the future of Hot Farm / Hot Farm and in the team behind it. Thank you to everyone who is part of our big hot family!
This is a great validation for the path that Hotfarm and female entrepreneurship in Bulgaria are taking.
Events are ahead of our plans, but Hotfarm Global is starting its journey.”
"The under-30 community also has a huge economic impact."
One thing is clear about the European entrepreneurial landscape in 2024: the influence and power of young people has never been clearer.”
BTV to the news item covering "30 under 30" Europe