Ivaylo Penchev | |
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Born | Ivaylo Penkov Penchev 10 March 1970 Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria |
Nationality | Bulgarian |
Alma mater | |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1992–present |
Ivaylo Penchev is the co- founder and CEO of Walltopia, the largest climbing wall manufacturer in the world. [1] He, along with Metin Musov, founded the company in 1996 in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Penchev was born in Veliko Tarnovo on 10 March 1970 to Penko Penchev (born 1946) and Radka Pencheva. [2] Growing up he became interested in physics and enrolled in Sofia University, studying theoretical physics. However, he dropped out in 1994 as he got involved in trade and, ultimately, the development of Walltopia. [3]
Penchev is the founder of other companies, such as HRT climbing holds, which is the largest producer of polyester resin climbing holds. [4]
Penchev and his company are staunch supporters of LGBT rights and adoption rights for gay couples in Bulgaria. [5] He praised the efforts of Sofia Pride 2018, stating, "I realized that they felt unaccepted and because of their difficult situation they are trying to find their own happiness. That’s why we decided to support Sofia Pride – people should not be afraid to be themselves no matter what". [6]
In March 2020, the University Alexandrovska Hospital rejected an conditional donation offer by Penchev to purchase respiratory equipment as Penchev had tried to require that the employees of his company Walltopia have priority for use of the devices, including for those already in use by other patients. The hospital responded that only doctors decide who use medical devices. [7] [8]
Sofia Airport is the main international airport of Bulgaria, located 10 km (6.2 mi) east of the centre of the capital Sofia. In 2019 the airport surpassed 7 million passengers for the first time. The airport serves as the home base for BH Air, Bulgaria Air, European Air Charter and GullivAir, and as a base for both Ryanair and Wizz Air. The airport also houses the Bulgarian Air Force's Vrazhdebna Air Base.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Bulgaria face significant challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex relationships are legal in Bulgaria, but same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has been banned since 2004, with discrimination based on "gender change" being outlawed since 2015. In July 2019, a Bulgarian court recognized a same-sex marriage performed in France in a landmark ruling. For 2020, Bulgaria was ranked 37 of 49 European countries for LGBT rights protection by ILGA-Europe. Like most countries in Central and Eastern Europe, post-Communist Bulgaria holds socially conservative attitudes when it comes to such matters as homosexuality and transgender people.
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The 2018–19 First Professional Football League was the 95th season of the top division of the Bulgarian football league system, the 71st since a league format was adopted for the national competition of A Group as a top tier of the pyramid and also the 3rd season of the First Professional Football League, which decides the Bulgarian champion. The season began on 20 July 2018 and finished on 30 May 2019. Ludogorets Razgrad became champions for the 8th consecutive time, on the final matchday of the season, with a 4–1 home win over Cherno More Varna.
Walltopia AD is a Bulgarian climbing wall and active entertainment manufacturer. It was founded in 1998 by Ivaylo Penchev and Metin Musov. Originally exclusively a climbing wall and other artificial rock surfaces manufacturer, since 2012 the company portfolio expanded into adventure park concepts and management.
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The 2023 Sofia mayoral election was held on 29 October 2023, during the 2023 Bulgarian local elections, to elect the next mayor of Sofia.
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