What sets deep tech innovation apart is that the innovation often takes shape long before a company is formed. Which means that by engaging early with research teams, promising ideas have a better chance of developing into impactful ventures.
Researchers, innovators, Business Angels, other investors and ecosystem actors are being brought together to connect earlier in the innovation journey, discover emerging technologies and explore collaboration opportunities through the EIC-funded, initiative ESIL.
Equity crowdfunding under the European Crowdfunding Service Providers Regulation (ECSPR) offers an important complementary funding pathway. As research-driven projects evolve towards market readiness, Crowdfunding enables the creation of investment opportunities that can attract a wider pool of European investors through regulated platforms. For SMEs emerging from deep tech ecosystems, this means access to cross-border capital and increased visibility, while investors benefit from transparent information, risk disclosures, and the ability to participate in high-potential innovation at an earlier stage. In combination with Business Angels and other early backers, crowdfunding can help de-risk and accelerate the
Listed below are several key events taking place this spring:
ESIL Masterclasses explore the journey from research to innovation and bring together researchers, PhDs, and post-docs with Business Angels and investors to exchange insights, experiences and perspectives on developing research-driven innovation.
Upcoming masterclasses will take place in:
- Zagreb, Croatia – 15 April 2026
- Sofia, Bulgaria – 28 April 2026
- Poland – 18 May 2026
All sessions can be joined online!
Learn more and register: https://www.europeanesil.eu/events/masterclasses/
As a long-standing advocate for alternative finance and innovation funding, EUROCROWD actively supports initiatives like ESIL that strengthen the European early-stage investment ecosystem. By connecting policymakers, platforms, investors, and entrepreneurs, Eurocrowd contributes to building a more accessible and efficient funding landscape, where instruments like crowdfunding can complement traditional finance and help scale Europe’s next generation of deep tech ventures.
