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Key people at New Europe Corporate Advisory/EPIC Bulgaria.
New Europe Corporate Advisory (NECA) operates as a specialized financial institution offering asset management and corporate finance advisory services. The firm provides expertise in areas such as corporate finance, privatization advisory, and asset management, actively engaging in the syndication of finance for real estate development, acquisitions, and private equity transactions. It aims to connect capital and strategic partners with significant opportunities in the region.
The company was originally established in 1996 as EPIC Bulgaria, Ltd., a local office of the Vienna-based investment banking group EPIC. In April 2008, it re-launched as New Europe Corporate Advisory under the ownership of its managing partner, Kenneth Lefkowitz. This transition allowed Mr. Lefkowitz to take over local operations completely, enabling NECA greater flexibility to pursue specific opportunities within the Bulgarian market while maintaining a cooperation agreement with the broader EPIC network.
NECA serves a diverse client base within Bulgaria, including those involved in telecommunications, energy, and real estate development, who require sophisticated corporate finance and asset management solutions. The firm's long-term vision centers on capitalizing on the development of the Bulgarian economy, actively pursuing local market opportunities, and leveraging its established network to deliver comprehensive financial advisory services to its clientele.
Key people at New Europe Corporate Advisory/EPIC Bulgaria.
New Europe Corporate Advisory (NECA), also known as EPIC Bulgaria prior to its rebranding, is a Sofia-based corporate finance and consulting boutique specializing in M&A advisory, capital-raising, project development, restructuring, privatization, and balance-sheet optimization in Southeast Europe.[1][2][5][7] Its mission centers on advancing the region's market economy transition by connecting capable entrepreneurs with capital and strategic partners, while setting a global standard for informed financial and strategic advice amid local operational challenges.[1][2] NECA focuses on key sectors including energy, TMT (telecom, media, technology), water/environment, mining/resources, transportation, infrastructure, financial institutions, and FMCG/retail, leveraging a multinational team and networks like Vienna-based EPIC investment house.[1][2]
NECA impacts the regional startup and industrial ecosystem by facilitating high-stakes transactions, such as the 2023 sale of 80MW Bulgarian wind farms to Finnish investor Taaleri Energia and the 2020 restructuring of Bulsatcom's €85 million debt, thereby enabling growth in renewables, media, and other infrastructure-heavy sectors.[2]
NECA traces its roots to EPIC Bulgaria, which rebranded to New Europe Corporate Advisory, maintaining a focus on corporate finance, privatization advisory, and asset management in Bulgaria and Southeast Europe.[7] Founding partner Ken Lefkowitz, a US-trained economist, relocated to Sofia in 1995 to engage directly in the post-communist transition to a market economy, a mission that defines NECA's core purpose today.[2][3] Lefkowitz previously worked at EPIC, a Vienna-based firm targeting new markets in Central and Eastern Europe, bringing expertise in financial consulting.[1][3][7] The firm's evolution has emphasized high-impact projects that reshape the industrial landscape, evolving from EPIC's broader network into a specialized boutique navigating regional hurdles with global compliance standards.[1][2][6]
NECA rides the wave of Southeast Europe's economic convergence with Western markets, capitalizing on privatization, renewable energy booms, and infrastructure modernization amid EU integration and green transitions.[1][2] Timing aligns with post-1990s market reforms, where foreign investment surges in energy (e.g., wind projects) and TMT, fueled by regional growth and global funds seeking emerging opportunities.[2] Market forces like EU funding, energy diversification from Russia, and digital infrastructure needs favor NECA's model, positioning it to bridge local entrepreneurs with international capital.[1][2] By enabling deals that industrialize the region, NECA influences the ecosystem, fostering a startup-friendly environment through capital access and strategic guidance in underserved markets.[2][6]
NECA is poised to expand its deal flow in renewables and infrastructure as Southeast Europe accelerates green deals and digital upgrades, potentially deepening EPIC network ties for larger cross-border M&A.[1][2] Trends like EU Green Deal funding and tech-enabled project finance will shape its trajectory, amplifying influence in high-growth sectors. Its founder-led focus on economic transition ensures enduring relevance, evolving from privatization pioneer to key enabler of the next industrial wave—tying back to its 1995 origins in market transformation.[2]
