Are you a STEM researcher, PhD candidate, or post-doctoral fellow working on breakthrough innovation and wondering how your research could move beyond the lab? On 28 April 2026, an ESIL Masterclass in Sofia will help researchers explore how to transform promising research results into credible deep-tech ventures and connect with early investors.

The ESIL masterclasses aim to provide researchers with the tools, knowledge and mindset to succeed in their innovation journey. Researchers, particularly from STEM fields as well as PhD and post-doctoral fellows, will also receive assistance and guidance on how to write competitive proposals under the European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder and Transition schemes, and to effectively engage early on with Business Angels and innovation actors.

Participants will learn to:

• Frame the research activity into an innovation journey
• Write a proposal with execution in mind
• Build the foundation of the spin-off
• Fundraise and how to pitch a deep tech investment opportunity to early investors

Beyond practical skills, the masterclass aims to build bridges between academia, Business Angels and the wider innovation ecosystem, helping researchers better understand how their technologies can move towards real-world applications.

The event will be held onsite at the Sofia Tech Park.

ESIL is an EU-funded initiative that connects the next generation of Business Angels with researchers and innovation actors to help turn research results into impactful ventures.

Registrations and more info about the event here: https://www.europeanesil.eu/masterclasses/masterclass-bulgaria/