GATE aims to establish a “BiG DAta for SmarT SociEty” Center of Excellence in Bulgaria, in order to provide focus for increased scientific excellence and sustained Big Data growth, through attractive and stimulating research environment, advanced infrastructure supporting open innovation and vibrant ecosystem to enable responsive research and innovation. GATE Center of Excellence will be fully autonomous and purpose-built institute, established as a joint initiative between Sofia University - the most prestigious educational and scientific hub in Bulgaria, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden - outstanding European institution with extensive experience in research, education and innovation in Big Data area and Foundation Chalmers Industrial Technology, Sweden – a leader in innovation management, university-industry collaboration and technology transfer. GATE is a timely initiative that is fully exploiting the opportunities created by the innovation ecosystem boost and the Big Data market pull in Bulgaria, the Artificial Intelligence technological push in Sweden and the EU and global research and development urge for Big Data. The CoE will deliver economic and societal benefits through training data professionals and fostering closer collaboration between academia, government and industry, thus helping Bulgarian organisations and industry in various sectors to become, and remain, competitive. Being the only Big Data CoE to be established in Eastern Europe, GATE will bridge the gap between the 55 centres in Western Europe and Eastern Europe and will play a strategic role for disseminating the best practices and innovative models to the widening countries.