IBS Students Win Third Place Globally in the Final of the Prestigious NIBS 2025 Business Plan Competition
A team of students from the International Business School (IBS) won third place globally in the final of the Network of International Business Schools (NIBS) 2025 Business Plan Competition—one of the most prestigious international platforms for young entrepreneurs.
The Project Leora, developed by first-year students Tiana Doncheva, Nikoleta Anglevoa and Anna Efendulova, impressed the international jury with its sustainable and immediately applicable concept to combat air pollution using moss walls—a natural filter with proven effectiveness.
Leora was selected as a finalist from among 13 semifinalists across America, Europe, and Asia, and competed in the final round against teams from Ireland, Finland, and Turkey.
“We are extremely proud of Tiyana, Nikoleta, and Anna for their vision and commitment to sustainable development. Leora is a business idea that responds to a global crisis. Their success is a testament to the high level of preparation at IBS,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stella Baltova, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation and coach of the team. She further emphasized that “the true value of education lies in its ability to lead to real, positive change.”
“The success of Leora shows that when knowledge meets vision, innovation, and social responsibility, ideas are born with the power to change the world,” added Assoc. Prof. Dr. Baltova.
We take around 22,000 breaths a day—but how clean is the air we breathe? Air pollution remains an invisible yet deadly killer, causing over 8 million premature deaths each year. The economic impact is also severe, with nations around the world losing billions due to healthcare costs and decreased productivity.
That’s where Leora comes in—a sustainable, scalable, and immediately effective solution to one of the world’s most pressing problems, harnessing the power of moss—one of nature’s most efficient air filters. Unlike trees, which take decades to mature, moss begins purifying the air from fine dust particles, heavy metals, and nitrogen oxides immediately after installation.
Leora’s moss walls are specifically designed for urban environments, where space is limited and the need for clean air is urgent and critical.
The NIBS Business Plan Competition fosters the entrepreneurial skills of business school students from around the world. The final round was held online on May 15, with participants evaluated by an international panel of established business experts.
The International Business School remains committed to supporting young talents who think big, act innovatively, and contribute to building a more sustainable and better future.
