2025 in the rearview: growth in the in-between moments

Some years are defined by milestones. Others by what happens in between.

2025 belonged to the in-between moments — the everyday choices, conversations, and small improvements that don’t ask for attention, but slowly change how a place feels.

Campus X continued to evolve not through sudden shifts, but through care, listening, and consistent action.

Here’s how the year came together.

Making Campus X better, one decision at a time

One of the first tangible changes of the year was the opening of the new centralized Reception in Building 1. Not as a cosmetic upgrade, but as a deliberate shift in how people arrive, orient themselves, and begin their day.

The Reception was designed as a place for connection rather than simple check-ins — a space that slows first impressions just enough to feel human. At its core are Stefania Doncheva and Adriana Simova, who became the steady first point of contact, care, and continuity for members and guests alike.

What might look like a small operational decision quickly proved to have deeper impact. Later in the year, we shared a dedicated article unpacking the real business value behind a centralized Reception — because efficiency, clarity, and warmth can exist in the same system.

Another need surfaced naturally from the way people were working. So we built a professional podcast studio at Campus X — not as a feature, but as a response to a real demand from our members.

The studio was equipped and run with the support of Mute Madness Studio, offering professional sound, lighting, and a multi-camera setup that removes friction and lets conversations take center stage.

Listening closely also meant acting on feedback, even when it came in small sentences. Comments about comfort on the Plaza turned into cushions for every chair. Outdoor meeting pods were upgraded into fully functional workspaces with fast Wi-Fi, power, and lighting — ready for real work, not just short breaks.

This steady, practical approach to improving the Campus was later reflected externally as well, when Campus X was ranked #1 coworking space in Sofia by size in an independent article published by Capital.

The moments that held us together

Not everything that shapes a community happens in public. Some of the most important work this year took place quietly, inside the team and in the small rituals shared with our members.

We started a tradition of marking member anniversaries with small, symbolic gestures — moments that acknowledge time, commitment, and growth.

Culture also showed up in lighter ways. A treats-in-a-jar challenge reminded us that connection doesn’t need a big format — sometimes a shared moment is enough to bring people together.

We created space to pause before pushing forward. An internal Halloween Brunch became a moment to slow down ahead of the final sprint, while our summer ritual of seasonal fruit in the kitchens continued as a simple, recurring act of care.

The team itself grew as well. We officially welcomed Adriana Simova as part of the Campus X team, strengthening the bridge between operations and community and adding a calm, steady presence to everyday life at the Campus.

That sense of perspective also traveled beyond Sofia. Stefania Doncheva brought another layer of insight home through her behind-the-scenes reflections from the first COMS Summit in Brighton — a global gathering for community managers focused on belonging, practice, and what it really means to build spaces where people feel they belong.

Beyond the workday, we leaned into informal togetherness. We gathered for a gelato date on the Plaza,

shared hands-on time during a traditional Easter Pysanky workshop,

and stepped outside the Campus for an after-work hike to Cherni Vrah — small reminders that building something meaningful also means stepping away from it together.

The Campus as a stage

Some moments are designed to travel further than the room they happen in.

One of those was an exclusive morning with Jeff Hoffman (Priceline, Booking.com) — an intimate conversation with founders, investors, and builders about focus, leadership, and why the best companies are built around one gold-medal product, not ten average ones. It was the kind of conversation that stayed with people long after it ended.

Alongside live conversations, we continued to shape how stories from the Campus are told.We published an article introducing Lunch Campus X Stories — a format created for honest, unscripted conversations filmed in our podcast studio, without urgency or performance.

That same editorial mindset led to the launch of our LinkedIn newsletter, “What Sparks the Fire at Campus X” — built around a simple decision: to stop treating activity as noise and start treating it as a signal, shared in real time rather than polished in hindsight.

Throughout the year, Campus X hosted over 10 events organized by VertoDigital, turning learning into an ongoing journey rather than a one-off moment.

We also opened space for broader conversations, including a Climate Fresk workshop focused on climate awareness and interconnected systems.

Community as action showed up again through KBC Global Services charity Easter bazaar in support of Villa “Autistika”, where shared space turned into shared purpose.

Beyond the walls of the Campus, we became part of the Sofia IS Network by the Sofia Investment Agency, supporting international companies entering Sofia through mentorship, insight, and real connections.

Our Event Center welcomed a wide range of community-driven initiatives:a free tech event organized by our members from Americaneagle.com,a neuroVIZR demo day,a Tech Talk with AWS and KBC experts,a specialized Sitecore community event,and a discussion on employee benefits hosted together with Re:benefit.

We also announced TechTalk Vol. 8: AI in Action, continuing our long-term approach to practical, builder-focused learning.

Alongside knowledge-sharing, we stayed mindful of impact.Throughout the year, we collected and handed over plastic bottle caps to the “Caps for the Future” initiative — a small habit turned into tangible support.

Campus X also took part in Startup Fairs Hackathon, supporting early-stage builders and the next generation of ideas.

Our members rocked 2025

If Campus X provides the structure, our members bring the momentum.

Throughout the year, we looked forward to new episodes of “The Superhuman Podcast with Georgi Nenov”, featuring stories from inside Campus X — voices, journeys, and progress still unfolding.

Several of our members marked the year with achievements that traveled far beyond the Campus.TokWise was recognized as a Top 30 global energy startup by the Free Electrons Program, selected among hundreds of companies worldwide. TrialHub won the DPHARM Idol Disrupt Award, reframing how innovation can address real gaps in clinical research.

A major milestone was celebrated by OfficeRnD, marking 10 years since its founding — a journey from an idea to a global platform, captured in a special anniversary video filmed right here at Campus X.

Behind the scenes, serious work led to serious results. FindMeCure achieved ISO 27001 certification from the first attempt, supported by the Campus X in-house IT team — a shared effort combining infrastructure, expertise, and trust.

Creativity also found its audience.The member-led project Epoha Online reached over 300,000 views, using AI-generated videos to revive Bulgarian historical figures and spark emotional connection at scale.

These moments didn’t need amplification — they spoke for themselves.

Looking ahead

December brought the year together.

It became a ritual — a moment to slow down, reconnect, and feel the community as a whole.The Campus turned into shared space in the fullest sense through the Campus X-Mas Charity Market, three simple but powerful community games, and a Christmas Quiz Night organized by members from TokWise.

These moments weren’t about competition or scale.They were about giving back. All funds raised were donated to elderly people in need, turning end-of-year togetherness into real impact.

Taken as a whole, 2025 showed something clearly: growth at Campus X is rarely loud. It’s steady, sustainable, and deeply human.

As we look toward 2026, we do so with clarity, confidence, and an open invitation to everyone building, learning, and growing with us.