Eurocrowd is a founder-led organisation operating through a lean core structure supported by a trusted network of collaborators and subject-matter experts.
Our work spans innovation finance, European programmes, alternative finance and ecosystem development. Depending on the assignment, we bring together the expertise needed to support institutions, programmes and organisations working at the intersection of policy, capital and implementation.
Rather than maintaining a large permanent team, we work through long-term professional relationships built over many years of collaboration across Europe. This allows us to remain agile while providing continuity, institutional knowledge and specialist expertise where required.
Leadership
Oliver Gajda – Founder
Oliver Gajda founded the European Crowdfunding Network (ECN) in 2013 and today leads Eurocrowd. For more than fifteen years, his work has focused on the development of European innovation finance ecosystems, bringing together policy, markets and implementation. He has worked with European institutions, national governments, public authorities, crowdfunding platforms, investors, entrepreneurs and international organisations on initiatives ranging from regulatory development and market analysis to EU-funded programmes and ecosystem building.
As one of the early advocates for crowdfunding in Europe, Oliver contributed to the development of the sector throughout its formative years, including discussions leading to the European Crowdfunding Service Providers Regulation (ECSPR). Through ECN and later Eurocrowd, he has helped shape numerous European initiatives supporting alternative finance, entrepreneurship and access to capital. Today, his work focuses on how innovation finance systems and European programmes function in practice, helping institutions and organisations translate policy objectives into effective implementation.
Before founding ECN, Oliver worked in venture capital, microfinance, technology and social entrepreneurship in both commercial and non-profit environments in Europe and the United States. He began his professional career as a journalist and business information publisher. Oliver holds Master’s degrees from the Université Libre de Bruxelles and the University of Hamburg and also studied at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies (University College London).
Associated Experts
Eurocrowd works with a small number of trusted associates who contribute specialist expertise to selected projects and initiatives:
Francesca Passeri
Francesca Passeri supports Eurocrowd on selected assignments related to European programmes, regional development and innovation finance. She previously worked for the Emilia-Romagna Delegation to the European Union and served on the Executive Board of the European Crowdfunding Network (2020–2023), where she helped develop cooperation with regional and local authorities and explored the integration of crowdfunding into European Structural and Investment Funds. Francesca holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Bologna, where her research focused on crowdfunding as a tool for regional development.
Mauricio O’Brien
Mauricio O’Brien has collaborated with Eurocrowd and the European crowdfunding community over many years, contributing expertise in design, digital innovation and entrepreneurship. His background spans design, ICT and higher education, including leadership roles at Elisava School of Design and Engineering in Barcelona. He has also co-directed a crowdfunding platform, founded a design and communication studio, and worked extensively on innovation and social entrepreneurship initiatives. Mauricio holds a BA in Arts and Design from the University of Southampton and a postgraduate qualification in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship from UNED.
Project Contributors
Eurocrowd regularly collaborates with researchers, project officers, interns and external specialists who contribute to specific studies, programmes and implementation projects. The composition of this wider network evolves according to the needs of individual assignments, allowing Eurocrowd to combine specialist expertise with a lean organisational structure.