EWA 2025 North Macedonia - Mastering the Art of the Pitch

The main goal of the Masterclass was to help participants develop clear, impactful, and convincing communication for their business ideas. Through a carefully structured programme, the entrepreneurs explored how to define and visualize their Business Model Canvas, understand what attracts investors and makes a business appealing, craft an influential story using storytelling techniques, build confidence and stage presence, and recognize the most common pitching mistakes to avoid.

The first day of the training focused on understanding the structure of a successful pitch — analyzing key elements such as the problem, solution, market, business model, team, and investment needs. The second day emphasized practical application, as participants worked individually with mentors, tested their presentations in simulated conditions, and received detailed professional feedback.

The sessions were conducted in collaboration with the experienced team from ZAFIR CAPITAL - Gogo Rafajlovski, Natasha Velkovska and Igor Mishevski - who, through a dynamic methodology and real-life examples, guided participants in refining both the content and delivery of their presentations. The MIR team moderated the entire training, fostering an inspiring and supportive environment that encouraged collaboration, knowledge exchange, and networking among participants.

During the final part of the masterclass, each participant had the opportunity to deliver a four-minute presentation and receive personalized feedback focused on clarity, communication, structure, and investor appeal. Trainers provided individual advice and practical recommendations, helping participants strengthen their performance and build a recognizable brand behind their ideas.

The session also created valuable networking opportunities with mentors from the EWA programme, encouraging the exchange of experiences and inspiring participants as they prepared for the next EWA event — the final Demo Day, where women entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to present their innovative solutions to an audience of experts, investors, and potential business partners.

With initiatives like this, the EWA – Empowering Women in Agrifood programme, supported by EIT Food and implemented by MIR, continues to cultivate a vibrant community of women innovators in the agrifood sector, nurture their entrepreneurial spirit, and create meaningful opportunities for sustainable growth and development.

MIR is a dynamic organization driving economic development, innovation, and sustainability. It supports startups and scale-ups through entrepreneurship programs, including the YES incubator and Women in Business initiatives. MIR’s four key areas—economic development, research & innovation, environment, and society—focus on technology transfer, eco-innovation, and inclusive growth. A member of the Enterprise Europe Network since 2008, MIR actively promotes women entrepreneurship, organizes networking and pitching events, and provides policy recommendations. It advocates for gender equality in STEM and innovation while fostering a stronger, greener, and more inclusive economy.

Learn more about Foundation for Management and Industrial Research on their webpage.