Pitching Masterclass – Perfecting the art of persuasive presentation

As part of the EWA – Empowering Women in Agrifood 2025 program, a two-day intensive Pitching Masterclass took place on September 29 and 30 at Public Room, Skopje, organized by the Foundation for Management and industrial research (MIR).

The event was designed for women entrepreneurs from the agri-food sector participating in the EWA program, who aim to present their innovative ideas to investors, mentors, and potential partners. Through a combination of practical workshops, interactive exercises, simulations, and mentoring support, participants had the opportunity to perfect their pitch presentations and develop the skills, techniques, and confidence needed for successful public speaking.

The main goal of the Pitching Masterclass was to help participants build clear, impactful, and convincing communication for their business ideas. Through a carefully structured program, they learned:

• how to define and visualize their business model Canvas,
• what attracts investors and what makes a business appealing,
• how to craft an influential story using storytelling techniques,
• how to develop personal communication confidence and stage presence, and
• which common pitching mistakes to avoid.

The first day was dedicated to understanding the structure of a successful pitch — analyzing the problem, solution, market, business model, team, and investment needs.
The second day had a practical focus — participants worked individually with mentors, tested their presentations in simulated conditions, and received professional feedback.

The sessions were conducted in cooperation with the experienced team from ZEFIR CAPITAL — Gogo Rafajlovski, Natasha Velkovska, and Igor Mishevski, who, through a dynamic methodology and real-life examples, helped participants refine both the content and delivery of their presentations.
The MIR team moderated the entire training, creating an inspiring and supportive environment that encouraged collaboration, experience sharing, and networking among participants.

The second day was also focused on the practical application of the acquired knowledge. Each participant had the opportunity to deliver a four-minute presentation and receive constructive feedback focusing on clarity, communication, structure, and investor appeal.
The trainers provided individual advice and guidance for improvement, helping participants strengthen their performance and build a recognizable brand behind their ideas.

This session also provided new networking opportunities with mentors from the EWA program, fostering experience exchange and inspiration for the next step — the final pitching day.

The Pitching Masterclass served as a key preparation for the concluding part of the EWA program — the final pitching event, which will give women entrepreneurs the opportunity to present their solutions before an expert audience, investors, and potential partners.

Through this training, participants not only gained practical tools and presentation techniques, but also confidence, clarity, and vision for the next step in their entrepreneurial journey.

With initiatives like this, the EWA – Empowering Women in Agrifood program, supported by EIT Food and implemented by MIR, continues to build a community of women innovators in the agri-food sector, nurture their entrepreneurial spirit, and create opportunities for sustainable growth and development.