The Masterclass was part of the participants’ preparation for the final stage of the programme and combined theory, practical exercises, individual work and expert feedback.

Sales and communication – understanding the customer better

The first day started with training sessions delivered by Velin Dimitrov from ActionCOACH Bulgaria, focusing on sales and communication skills.

The participants worked on how to better understand customers, ask the right questions, recognise different behavioural and communication styles, and adapt the way they present their products or services.

A key message was that good sales are not simply about presenting a product, but about identifying the customer’s real needs and offering a solution that creates value.

Skills for the future

The afternoon programme continued with the training “Skills of the Future: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication and Collaboration”, delivered by Miroslav Nikolov from Varnapreneurs.

The participants discussed how these four skills are becoming increasingly important for today’s entrepreneurs, especially in an environment where information is everywhere, but the ability to identify what really matters, generate new ideas and work effectively with others remains essential.

Leadership and team management

The topic of people and business management continued with the seminar “Leadership and Team Management”, delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gergana Slavova and Dr. Pavlina Ivanova from the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Economics – Varna.

At the end of the first day, Todorka Dimitrova from RAPIV presented opportunities and pilot activities under the AGRICOOP and IDRON projects, focusing on additional tools and opportunities for entrepreneurs.

From theory to practice

The second day was entirely dedicated to practical work and preparation for presenting business ideas.

Following a short session on presentation and communication skills with Hristomir Hristov, each participant had the opportunity to work on how to present her business to an audience in a clear and convincing way.

Individual pitch deck presentations followed, together with questions, feedback and concrete recommendations for improvement. The focus was not only on what to say, but on how to structure the story behind the business so that the audience can clearly understand:

• What problem does the business solve?
• Who is it for?
• What value does it create?
• What is its potential for growth?

This practical work is one of the most valuable elements of EWA Grow Bulgaria 2026 – participants have the opportunity to test how they present their ideas, receive professional feedback and gradually turn a good concept into a clear and convincing business proposition.

The two days were filled with active work, discussions, exercises and exchange of experience, with a strong focus on the participants’ real business ideas and their next steps.

The next milestone – Demo Day

The next key moment in the programme will be Demo Day on 7 November 2026, when the participants will present the progress of their business ideas in front of a jury and audience and compete for the EWA Grow Bulgaria 2026 awards.

We are looking forward to seeing how far the ideas they have been developing over the past months have progressed.