Over the past year, the taxi business in Sofia has undergone a real transformation with the arrival of a premium service that combines luxury and customer care.
At the heart of this change is Volt Premium Taxi, which in a short time has become a benchmark for innovation and has set new industry standards.
It all began as a personal mission
Yuliyan Mavrodiev entered the taxi sector by necessity. After his previous business went bankrupt, he became a driver and faced the industry’s challenges – low-class vehicles, unmotivated drivers, and a service undervalued by customers. That’s when the idea for a premium taxi service was born – one that would dismiss the notion of “tips” and bring respect back to the profession.
For three years, Yuliyan searched for partners and investors until he met entrepreneur Ognyan Popov, who saw enormous potential in the idea. With experience in large-scale digital projects and international business, Popov decided to join not just as an investor but as the creator of a working model and a visionary for the company’s future.
“Many people first look at the packaging, the brand. I start with the numbers. But in this project, beyond the solid business plan, I felt the energy to contribute to society, to make the environment around us better. That became more important than the figures,” says Popov.
A new face of taxi services
The official launch of Volt Premium Taxi took place in 2023, but a landmark date for the company is April 24, 2024. That day, a fleet of elegantly branded limousines drove down Tsarigradsko Shose Boulevard, drawing great public attention. Within just a few days, the app was downloaded more than 30,000 times. Carefully selected drivers, small details such as bottled water, refreshing drinks, and umbrellas for rainy days created a sense of premium customer experience. Recommendations for impeccable service spread quickly.
The fleet consists of BMW 5 Series and Mercedes EQE vehicles, driven by professionals selected through a rigorous process and dressed in suits. They serve both private and corporate clients, hotels, events, and transfers. In its first full year, the company completed over 150,000 rides for more than 60,000 clients, including 400 corporate partners. Revenues for 2024 reached nearly BGN 800,000, with projections for over BGN 2 million in direct revenue and a trip value of about BGN 6 million in 2025.
Volt Premium Taxi also introduced an innovative model for its drivers. They can work with company-owned vehicles for a daily rental fee or purchase their own car (meeting certain standards), brand it, and serve Volt’s clients, paying only a commission per ride. This provides flexibility and the ability to expand the fleet, which is expected to reach 100 cars by the end of this year.
Recently, two iconic Bulgarian personalities – football legend Dimitar Berbatov and actor Dimitar Rachkov – joined Volt Premium Taxi’s group of shareholders. They are accompanied by leading entrepreneurs such as Todor Gigilev (co-founder of Dreamix), Alexander Alexiev (SAT Health), Iliya Krastev (A Data Pro), and serial entrepreneur Alexander Griliches. Established business leaders like Velizar Velichkov (Artvent, 1forFit), Presiyan Karakostov (PubGalaxy), and Kristian Demirev (SK Group, Petmall) have supported the company’s mission from the very beginning, “from the napkin stage.”
“Quality and professionalism are at the heart of everything I do,” says Dimitar Berbatov.
The record goalscorer for Bulgaria’s national football team – who played for Manchester United, Tottenham, and Bayer Leverkusen – invests in promising projects inspired by the legendary Warren Buffett. According to Berbatov, what matters most in a company is the strength of its idea and the human capital behind it. “I had the chance to meet all Volt Premium Taxi shareholders, successful entrepreneurs and investors. I’m happy to support the future of a Bulgarian company with a European outlook and ambition,” he adds.
From Sofia to Europe
The company focuses on organic growth, strategic partnerships, and acquisitions. Its ambitions, however, go beyond Sofia. The plan is to firmly establish the premium taxi service in the capital first, and then expand into other regional and Western European markets.
“We needed more resources, and one of our investors directed us to BDB Leasing. I’m glad they believed in us and helped a young business take the next step. Thanks to the InvestEU program, we were able to quickly purchase more vehicles to expand our operations,” reveals Popov.
He is impressed with the efficiency of BDB Leasing – part of the Bulgarian Development Bank Group – in providing financing directly and without unnecessary administrative burden.
Thus, Volt Premium Taxi continues to pursue its mission to set an example on the road.
“This is more than a successful startup. We’re showing that with vision, persistence, and the right team, a Bulgarian company can lead in innovation and service quality,” the co-founders affirm.
And their business story is an inspiration for all who believe that change begins with bold ideas.
