SOLA is a technology company that creates interactive educational tools by developing realistic simulations and digital twins for the medical, pharmaceutical, and defense sectors. SOLA is the first company in Bulgaria to offer training in virtual and mixed reality for universities and professionals. The company’s mission is to make medical education more engaging and accessible to more people by using the latest technologies in education and simulations.
How would you describe your company to someone unfamiliar with it? What inspired you to start this mission?
SOLA is a company that develops interactive educational tools and simulations, primarily for the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as for defense. We create realistic digital twins and virtual environments that allow professionals and students to train in a safe and controlled setting. This way, we can simulate situations that would be too complex, dangerous, or expensive to recreate in real life. Our mission is to make education more effective, interesting, and accessible to more people through innovative technologies like virtual and mixed reality.
The idea for SOLA came from my experience as an engineer in an American company, where one of my most significant projects was the development of the first-ever robotic prosthesis for below-knee amputations. The prosthesis was state-of-the-art in every respect – a 3D-printed titanium frame, an integrated micro-hydraulic system, and it was controlled by adaptive artificial intelligence that learned from the patient’s specific gait and reproduced it. We had patients who had been using prostheses for over 30 years, and they said this was like “magic” and nothing had ever come close in terms of comfort.
I worked on other interesting projects at that company, but this experience was especially fulfilling. I saw firsthand how technology can improve people’s lives in healthcare, and I realized that I wanted to contribute to the sector by creating new products that improve people’s lives.
In how many and which countries do you operate, and what attracts you to these markets? What unique challenges and opportunities do you see there?
We are currently involved in developing a platform for anatomy training in virtual reality, which is already implemented and used in over 180 countries and twice as many universities worldwide. This gives us the unique opportunity to operate globally and reach students and professionals from diverse cultures and educational systems. Our platform offers standardized, high-quality training adapted to the needs of various markets, whether advanced universities in developed countries or institutions with limited access to modern technology and resources.
The challenges in different markets include differences in educational standards and the need to localize content and adapt to specific regulations. However, we see enormous growth potential, as the ability to learn through virtual reality makes medical education more accessible, innovative, and engaging. It is especially exciting for us to see how our platform helps students and professionals around the world acquire real skills in a safe environment while improving the quality of their education and better preparing future healthcare professionals.
What are the biggest challenges in healthcare systems, and how do your technological solutions help overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges in modern healthcare systems is the shortage of well-trained specialists and the lack of access to quality education in many regions. Additionally, constant changes in medical technology and practices require healthcare professionals to continuously train and refine their skills, putting significant pressure on the resources of healthcare facilities and educational institutions.
Our solutions help address these challenges by introducing interactive simulations and virtual reality (VR). Our simulators offer a safe environment where students and professionals can practice complex procedures without putting real patients or equipment at risk. This allows medical institutions to reduce training costs and provide greater flexibility and access to education. One of the key advantages of our technology is that it can be adapted to different healthcare systems and needs. For example, our virtual simulators for aseptic techniques in pharmaceutical manufacturing allow employees to train in an environment that accurately replicates real conditions without the risk of contamination.
Additionally, our platform for anatomy training through virtual reality enables students to learn in a more engaging and effective way by exploring 3D models of the human body in details that are unattainable with traditional methods.
Do you have a favorite product or service that your company offers? What makes it so special, and how does it help patients and healthcare systems/institutions?
I love all of them for different reasons. On the day we installed the cleanroom simulator at the Medical University of Plovdiv, I remember how students crowded around the lab, asking many questions about the simulator. When we conducted the first simulations with students, I saw how engaged they were and how they perceived the material differently. Before the simulator, the department organized an annual visit to a pharmaceutical factory so students could see how production was organized. With our simulator, this training can be conducted an unlimited number of times for an unlimited number of students.
When we conducted the first demonstrations of the anatomy training platform, the teachers were even more interested than the students. I saw how professors, who had taught the same way for 20 years, were now seeing the potential of the technology and how they could visualize the human body in ways impossible with textbooks or monitors. For example, they could visualize a specific nerve and its path through a bone channel, animate movements and the muscles that perform them, or reproduce 3D MRI/CT scans from real cases to teach students.
Our work so far makes me realize how impactful our efforts can be on healthcare and education. This is the true motivation to continue developing and seeking new ways to improve training in the sector.
If you could apply AR/VR technology to one healthcare segment and immediately improve it, which would it be and why?
Undoubtedly surgery. AR and VR are already making their way into surgery, but if I had the chance to implement them in a way that would lead to immediate improvement, I would focus on their application in daily practice.
Their potential is immense – making surgeries more precise and reducing the risk of errors by providing additional real-time information. I imagine a future where AR becomes an essential part of every surgical procedure, helping surgeons see complex anatomical structures and even plan operations on the go, overlaying 3D models directly on the patient.
VR, on the other hand, has the potential to become the standard for training and preparation, especially for younger surgeons. Many of them will be able to practice complex procedures before the actual surgery, repeating techniques as many times as needed without risking patients. This widespread integration of AR and VR in surgery – not just in the most advanced hospitals but also in those with limited resources – would have the greatest impact. If these technologies become accessible everywhere, it would lead to safer, more accurate surgeries and better outcomes for patients.
What made you join the Digital Health and Innovation Cluster Bulgaria (DHI Cluster)?
Joining the Digital Health and Innovation Cluster Bulgaria (DHI Cluster) was a natural step for us at SOLA. The main reason is that we believe in the power of collaboration and knowledge exchange between companies and experts who share a common vision for the future of technology and innovation in healthcare. The DHI cluster provides us with the unique opportunity to be part of a community that fosters the development of new solutions and their implementation not only locally but also internationally.
Also, our participation in the DHI cluster gives us the chance to contribute to building a stronger innovation ecosystem in Bulgaria and help position the country as a leader in digital solutions in the region. This is a platform that supports not only us as a company but the entire industry in its quest to evolve and innovate. It’s a place that not only aids business but encourages it to grow and implement innovations. We believe that our participation in the DHI Cluster will help us expand our opportunities, create new partnerships, and contribute to the transformation of the healthcare industry in Bulgaria and beyond.
More about Pavel:
Pavel Naydenov was born in Ruse and graduated from the English Language High School. Later, he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Coventry University. With over 10 years of experience in engineering and business development, he has worked on projects for Formula 1, Aston Martin, in defense, and biomedical fields. One of his key projects was the development of the world’s first robotic ankle prosthesis, which sparked his interest in healthcare and its impact. Naydenov then developed simulations for training patients on how to use the prosthesis, inspiring him to create SOLA with the goal of improving training and education in the healthcare sector.
