The ESIL initiative aims to enhance the innovation and investment ecosystems in the European Union, with a specific focus on supporting angel investing communities. ESIL is committed to driving early-stage investment and empowering diverse entrepreneurs. In this article, we highlight ESIL’s participation in the Big Angels Day in Croatia, organised by Hamag Bicro and Bpifrance, where the event will raise awareness of business angel investments across Europe and celebrate the contributions of business angels. 

Empowering European Innovation through Business Angel Investments 

An exciting two-day event is scheduled for 9th and 10th December 2024, in Zagreb, Croatia. It will bring together angel investors, innovation actors, European Innovation Council representatives, startups, and influential figures from the European innovation ecosystem. Big Angels Day aims to showcase over 80 cutting-edge startups while facilitating valuable connections through matchmaking sessions with an extensive network of business angels. The event seeks to boost the visibility and impact of business angel investments in early-stage entrepreneurship across Europe. 

Day 1 of the event will feature a workshop hosted by ESIL, focusing on the How Business Angels and other Innovation Actors can support European Innovation Council activities. The workshop will take place from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the SECCEL venue on Radoslava Cimermana Street. The workshop aims to equip business angels and innovation actors with invaluable insights and tools to effectively propel early-stage innovation throughout Europe. Its core objectives include: 

• Establishing a Strategic Connection Between BAs, IAs and the EIC.
  

• Identifying Best Practices for Driving BAs Investment into the EIC.
  

• Understanding EIC support mechanisms for various innovation actors.
  

• Building Sustainable Investment Pipelines for the EIC.
  

Big Angels Day and the ESIL workshop cater to a diverse range of participants in the European startup and investment ecosystem. This includes angel investors, innovation actors, researchers, startup founders, venture builders, accelerators, venture capitalists, investment professionals, and policymakers. 

Participants will have the opportunity to explore investment opportunities in innovation and deep tech sectors, gain insights into supporting EIC projects, and secure funding, mentorship, and strategic partnerships. The event also highlights the role of business angels in bridging the gap between research outcomes and commercial success, as well as their contribution to early-stage company success and cooperation with the EIC. 

Engaging talks, development sessions, and networking opportunities 

On the first day, participants will be introduced to Big Angels Day and the EIC. Industry experts and thought leaders such as Luigi Amati Director at META Group, Gilles Le Coguen Director Euroquity – Bpifrance, Reginald Vossen Director of BAE, and Ante-Janko Bobetko Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors HAMAG-BICRO, will take to the stage. The day will feature EIC introductions by Stephane Ouaki EIC Head of Department and Nuno Quental, Project Advisor at the EIC, as well as panel discussions, workshops exploring the role of business angels in various programmes and collaboration opportunities. Networking breaks and four pitching sessions in a B2B format BIG Angels Day will provide opportunities to connect and showcase innovative solutions. 

On Day 2, the event will include a panel discussion on Igniting Innovation: Paving the Way for Future Business Angels in Croatia, closed meeting for BAE and ESIL LLs and AAs as part of the BAE Club management, moderated by Bernard Ivezić. The panellists will include Saša Cvetojević and Maja Jelišić Cooper, both experienced Business Angels, as well as Mihovil Barančić from Unicorn Underground. 4 pitching sessions and a networking lunch to foster meaningful connections and collaborations will conclude the day.

Join Big Angels Day event in Zagreb to propel early-stage entrepreneurship and contribute to the growth of the European startup ecosystem! 🚀