Defense & Deep-Tech Funding: Bulgaria’s Fund of Funds (FMFIB) opened a tender to pick a manager for a new Strategic Technologies and Defense Fund with €30.3M public backing, requiring at least 10% co-financing; the vehicle must back 15+ companies by 2030 (up to €5M each), with applications due Sept 8. Defense Industry Talks: PM Rumen Radev met Axon executives to discuss Bulgarian production of high-tech defense and security systems, including drones and counter-drone capabilities. Polar Science Outreach: Research vessel RSV 421 (Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii) held open days in Nessebar, marking five years since joining the Naval Academy and outlining next Antarctic plans, including underwater cultural heritage work and expanded marine current studies. Math on the Global Stage: BAS’s International Centre for Mathematical Sciences film was screened at the International Congress of Mathematicians in Philadelphia, spotlighting Bulgaria’s research groups and training ecosystem. Election Tech in Bulgaria: The Legal Affairs Committee approved mandatory machine voting in most polling stations, with changes also removing the Abroad constituency and adjusting rules for non-EU polling sites. Living Costs Watch: CITUB reported Q2/2026 minimum net income needs of €1,491 for a three-member household and €828 for a single worker, with the minimum wage covering only about 55–60% of essentials. Startup Funding: Sofia’s Tiger Technology raised an initial €8.7M Series A to expand always-on, AI-ready hybrid cloud data infrastructure for mission-critical operations.