ESIL will host its second online workshop titled “Funding Technology Projects and Startups at International Level: Role of Business Angels and Other Innovation Actors” on 16 June 2025 from 16:00 to 18:30 CEST. This event, the second in a series of knowledge sharing workshops, will explore international angel investing and its crucial role in supporting European tech-driven startups through collaboration with other innovation actors such as crowdfunding platforms, accelerators, early-stage funds, and Venture Capital.
In an increasingly interconnected innovation landscape, early-stage tech projects require not only funding but also deep sectoral knowledge and sustained engagement. The workshop will highlight how Business Angels and their networks contribute from the earliest stages (scouting and validation) to the scale-up of breakthrough innovations. It will also delve into how these efforts are complemented by collaboration with institutional actors and platforms.
With a focus on Digital and Deep-Tech, Clean and Resource-Efficient Technologies, and Bio and Medical Technologies, the 2.5-hour event will feature global perspectives on:
- International syndication models among angel networks.
- Cross-border funding collaborations.
- Insights into sourcing high-potential projects from institutions such as the European Research Council (ERC), European Innovation Council (EIC), and their US counterparts like the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA).
- The roles of crowdfunding and matchmaking platforms in bridging early-stage investment gaps.
“The internationalisation of early-stage investing is essential to scale promising European technology businesses across borders,” said Luigi Amati, Director at META Group. “This workshop is designed to show how angel investor collaboration can be practically implemented and improved.”
Speakers and participants will include representatives from:
- Communities of angel networks (BAE Club, ASN Network, Medical Monday)
- Global angel groups (Keiretsu Forum, TIE Angels, CORE Angels tbc)
- Individual global investors (True Global Ventures tbc)
- Equity crowdfunding platforms (Eurocrowd, Crowdcube, Republic, Mamacrowd)
- EuroQuity, the innovative matchmaking platform of Bpifrance
“In an increasingly volatile political and economic environment, international collaboration within Europe in early-stage investing is more important than ever,” said Reginald Vossen, President, Business Angels Europe.
“The strength of an innovation ecosystem lies in its connectivity,” added Gilles Le Cocguen, Director – Head of EuroQuity at Bpifrance. “By showcasing diverse international models, this workshop aims to build bridges across borders and funding gaps.”
ESIL, funded by the European Innovation Council, works to grow a dynamic, inclusive angel investment community across Europe, with a particular focus on strengthening emerging markets.
Explore the programme and list of speakers in full and register for the event on the ESIL website.
About ESIL, The Next Gen of Angels
ESIL is dedicated to boosting Europe’s innovative ecosystems through the creation of a thriving, connected and diverse angel investment community across all the countries of Europe, whilst strengthening those markets where angel investment may still be lagging behind.
ESIL is supported by funding from the European Union through the European Innovation Council and SME Executive Agency EISMEA. ESIL will be delivered by a consortium of highly experienced ecosystem players, deeply embedded in European investment and innovation ecosystems, composed of META Group, BAE, and Bpifrance.
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Website
Contact
Lorenzo Valeriani
Operations Manager, META Group
l.valeriani@meta-group.com
Reginald Vossen
President, BAE
r.vossen@ban.be
Aileen Mena
Communication Manager, Bpifrance – EuroQuity
af.menacortesei@ext.bpifrance.fr
