Events

ESIL Annual Event: Business Angels and Deeptech

Workshop
Brussels, Belgium

Join us in Brussels for a two-day deep dive into the future of angel investing in Europe.

Opt to attend one or both days and the chance to build your networks and learn more about angel investing.

Conference & Networking

2 December 2025

Kicking off the event, join us for an in-person Networking Day: a unique opportunity to connect with peers, exchange insights, and explore potential collaborations, all the while learning more about angel investing on a pan-European level.

The day will wrap up with a networking cocktail.

Agenda
15:00 - 15:45
Welcome coffee and Registration
15:45 - 16:00
Welcome and introduction
  • Denisa Perrin, Head of Unit, European Innovation Council
  • Luigi Amati, Director META Group
16:00 - 17:00
Panel 1
Building Bridges in Biotech and Medtech: Successful Collaborations Between research teams and Innnovation Actors
  • Pierre Cherelle, Axiles bionics
  • Francesca Natali, Greebone/Angiodroid investor
  • Ivano Ciceri, Head of Tech Transfer Office, Politecnico di Milano
Moderated by Jenny Tooth OBE, VP of Diversity at BAE & Executive Chair of UKBAA
17:00 - 18:00
Panel 2
Advancing Deeptech Collaboration: Challenges and Future Directions for research teams and Innnovation Actors
  • Marc Van Aken, CEO, SO Kwadraat Community
  • Benjamin Azoulay, CEO, Oldecomm
  • Stela Tkatchova, Programme Manager, European Innovation Council
  • Malin Stefanescu, Board Member at Techangels and AMSIMCEL Investor
Moderated by Claire Munck, Director, BeAngels
18:00 - 19:30
Networking Cocktail

Conference & Workshop

3 December 2025

The main conference day brings together top speakers and actors from the EIC, Business Angel networks, innovation actors, incubators, accelerators, early-stage investors and deep tech leaders. The event will: 

  • Present the latest results of the ESIL initiative,
  • Discuss key trends and future actions,
  • Host interactive breakout workshop sessions

Themes will include how to nurture a next gen of Business Angels, pan-European investment and collaboration tools and opportunities, deep tech engagement, and inclusive innovation ecosystems. 

Agenda
8:30 - 9:00
Registration
9:00 - 9:15
Welcome words
  • Andreas Schwarz, Chief of Staff Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, European Commission
  • Luigi Amati, Director META Group
9:15 - 10:00
Building a Stronger Angel Community: Why Europe Needs Both Diversity and Capacity in Business Investing
  • Terezia Jacova, Local Leader Czechia, Lumus
  • Renata Brkic, Local Leader Croatia, Feels good Capital
Moderated by Jenny Tooth OBE, VP of Diversity at BAE & Executive Chair of UKBAA
10:00 - 10:45
From Lab to Launch: Why Early Collaboration Between Angels/Innovation actors and Research Teams Is Key
  • Viorel Peca, Head of Unit, European Innovation Council (EIC Transition)
  • Marco Franchin, Exploitation Manager, PHIRE project
  • Stefano Giancola, CTO, Orchestra Scientific
  • Ivano Ciceri, Head of Tech Transfer Office, Politecnico di Milano
  • Sven De Cleyn, Programme Director, IMECstart
Moderated by Francesca Natali, Greebone/Angiodroid investor
10:45 - 11:15
Coffee break
11:15 - 12:00
Exploring the Current Landscape of Sector-Focused Angel Investing: Mapping today’s trends and the symbiosis of the vertical and geography based clubs
  • René Reijtenbagh - CEO BAConnect and VP BANNederland
  • Cynthia Verswijvel - Cornelissen, President, BAN Flanders
  • Jean-Marc Boyer, Chairman, Global InsurAngels
  • Jörg Stein, Healthtech Angel Investor
Moderated by Reginald Vossen, President, Business Angels Europe
12:00 - 12:45
Unlocking Cross-Border Capital: National Angels Co-Investment schemes should scale up at Pan-European Level?
  • Milen Ivanov, Local Leader Bulgaria, Sofia Angels Ventures
  • Christian Dubarry, Director European Affairs, Bpifrance
  • Sara Dagostini, Policy Officer, European Commission Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy
  • Claire Munck, Director, BeAngels
Moderated by Jacek Blonski, Local Leader Poland, APER Angels
12:45 - 13:30
Looking at the future "What is next for ESIL?"
  • Stephane Ouaki, Director, EISMEA
  • Timo Hallantie, Head of Unit, European Innovation Council (EIC Pathfinder)
  • Viorel Peca, Head of Unit, European Innovation Council (EIC Transition)
  • Reginald Vossen, President, Business Angels Europe
  • Jenny Tooth OBE, VP of Diversity at BAE & Executive Chair of UKBAA
Moderated by Luigi Amati, Director META Group
13:30 - 14:30
Lunch break
14:30 - 15:30
Parallel sessions
Parallel session A
Shaping the Future of Sector-Focused Angel Investing: Pan-European investing in Defence, Lifescience & Biotech; the symbiosis of the vertical and geography based clubs.
  • Reginald Vossen, President, Business Angels Europe
  • Jenny Tooth OBE, VP of Diversity at BAE & Executive Chair of UKBAA
  • Christian Dubarry, Director European Affairs, Bpifrance
Moderated by Alain Pujol, Co-President of France Angels and Archangel for Bulgaria
Parallel session B
Designing Pan-European Funds: Enabling Cross-Border Co-Investment for Angels backed Scaleups
  • Claire Munck, Director, BeAngels
  • Jacek Blonski, Local Leader Poland, APER Angels
  • Sara Dagostini, Policy Officer, European Commission Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy
  • Elena Martines, Member of the Cabinet of European Commission Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva- Startups, Research and Innovation
  • Peter Csillag, Local Leader Hungary, Hungarian Business Angel Network
Moderated by Jan Debets, Senior Advisor, Business Angels Europe
Parallel session C
From Research Proposals to Investment-Ready Projects: How Research Support Structures Can Enable Bas and Innovation Actors Engagement from Day One
  • Daniel Gassmann, Head of Sector, European Innovation Ecosystem programme
  • Ivano Ciceri, Head of Tech Transfer Office, Politecnico di Milano
  • Lorenzo Valeriani, Innovation Advisor, META Group
  • Marta Wysoczynska, Project Officer, Acces2EIC
Moderated by Jana Dzrkova, Head of Business Development, Euroquity,Bpifrance
15:40 - 16:00
Concluding the Day: Key Takeaways and Next Steps for Europe’s Angel Investing Community
  • Nuno Quental, Project Officer, European Innovation Council
  • Luigi Amati, Director META Group

Looking for accommodation near the event venue?

If your application is approved, you will receive a link for a direct special discounted rate at the Indigo BXL hotel. The discount is valid until 2 November 2025.

Deadline for registrations: 21 November
Please note: this event is tailored for aspiring and active investors and Business Angels.







Which events will you be participating in?*
Please select your role*


Application to attend or participate in the Annual Event does not guarantee admittance. Your application will be reviewed.

If your application is approved, you will be contacted again in November to provide identity details, including your passport or ID number, date of birth, and nationality. This information will be shared with the European Commission to grant you access to the event venue.
Day 1 | 2 December 2025

Networking Day

Open to all

Kicking off the event, join us for an in-person Networking Day: a unique opportunity to connect with peers, exchange insights, and explore potential collaborations, all the while learning more about angel investing on a pan-European level.

The day will wrap up with a networking cocktail.

Day 2 | 3 December 2025

ESIL Annual Conference

Panel Discussions and Workshop 

The main conference day brings together top speakers and actors from the EIC, Business Angel networks, innovation actors, incubators, accelerators, early-stage investors and deep tech leaders. The event will: 

  • Present the latest results of the ESIL initiative,
  • Discuss key trends and future actions,
  • Host interactive breakout workshop sessions

Themes will include how to nurture a next gen of Business Angels, pan-European investment and collaboration tools and opportunities, deep tech engagement, and inclusive innovation ecosystems. 

Looking for accommodation near the event venue?

If your application is approved, you will receive a link for a direct special discounted rate at the Indigo BXL hotel. The discount is valid until 2 November 2025.

Apply

Cookies Consent

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.