Editor’s Word: This put up was created in collaboration with and with monetary assist from EIT Meals.
The Empowering Girls in Agrifood (EWA) programme by EIT Meals offers an unparalleled platform for feminine entrepreneurs to drive innovation in making a sustainable meals system. Supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Expertise (EIT), a physique of the European Union, this initiative champions girls in agriculture by equipping them with the instruments, expertise, and networks wanted to succeed. Girls’s contributions to sustainable meals techniques and rural communities are invaluable, but typically ignored, and this programme seeks to bridge that hole by fostering management, confidence, and enterprise acumen amongst contributors.
The 2024 version of the EWA programme marked its fifth profitable yr, partaking 120 feminine entrepreneurs from 12 nations, together with Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and Ukraine. Over the course of six months, contributors benefited from a complete suite of mentoring, enterprise teaching, and networking alternatives, alongside specialised coaching provided in native languages. Remarkably, the initiative has led to the creation of 35 startups and the elevating of €13 million in funding, demonstrating its transformative affect on the sector.
As a part of this collection, we’ll function interviews with three exceptional winners from the 2024 EWA programme. Every interview will provide a novel glimpse into the methods this programme empowers girls to drive significant change within the agri-food sector. Let’s get proper into it!
Interview with Ekaterina Šprajc, founding father of Edible Thread
Immediately, we’re thrilled to interview Ekaterina Šprajc, the founding father of Edible Thread which specialises in producing an edible thread utilized in culinary arts for tying elements collectively. This thread, constructed from pure supplies with out allergens, is offered in numerous colours and sizes. Ekaterina has developed each a prototype and a pilot model of the machine and intends to broaden manufacturing capability and improve options based mostly on buyer suggestions, with a deal with the zero-waste precept
Because of her progressive concepts, Ekaterina took house the grand prize of €10,000! On this interview, we goal to delve deeper into her journey, her groundbreaking work within the agri-food sector, and the way the EWA programme performed a pivotal position in her entrepreneurial development.
Are you able to begin by telling us concerning the inspiration behind Edible Thread and the way your journey into the agrifood sector started?
The inspiration behind Edible Thread got here a number of years in the past after I was excited about how one can substitute present inedible options for binding elements. Seeing the massive quantities of single-use kitchen merchandise which are used and discarded each day motivated me to discover a sustainable various that reduces waste and brings innovation to the culinary world.
My journey into the agri-food sector started after graduating from the School of Meals Expertise and Biotechnology, the place I gained a broad spectrum of information and expertise within the meals business and R&D, which impressed me to pursue entrepreneurship.
What motivated you to specialize in FMCG and Edible Thread, and the way do you suppose these merchandise contribute to a sustainable meals system?
My motivation comes from a ardour for innovation and a need to create sustainable merchandise. Edible threads considerably contribute to a sustainable meals system by decreasing waste as they’re completely consumable. Moreover, they supply cooks and fans with new potentialities in creating and presenting dishes, which additional encourages creativity and sustainability within the culinary area.
What have been the largest challenges you confronted whereas creating the prototype and pilot model of the Edible Thread machine, and the way did you overcome them to make sure the product aligns with the zero-waste precept?
The most important problem was designing and creating a wholly new product/prototype and pilot machine for Edible Thread, as such a product doesn’t exist available on the market. The method required many iterations and changes. I needed to delve into the sector of mechanical engineering to convey exact directions to our companions for the event of the pilot machine.
Sustaining the zero-waste precept was achieved by means of the usage of pure elements and expertise that minimizes waste and recycles all materials remnants.
What have been a few of the largest challenges you confronted whereas creating your online business?
Throughout the growth of the enterprise, I confronted challenges similar to securing funding, enhancing data in areas like finance, gross sales, and regulation, and discovering optimum options for manufacturing. Moreover, constructing a assist community and figuring out market alternatives have been important challenges.
When did you first hear concerning the EWA programme, and why did you resolve to take part in it?
I first heard concerning the EWA programme by means of business colleagues who beneficial it as a wonderful growth alternative. I made a decision to take part within the programme to realize further data, expertise, and monetary assist wanted for the additional growth of my enterprise. The programme additionally allowed me to develop my enterprise and community with different entrepreneurs, which was extraordinarily helpful.
How did the mentorship and coaching through the EWA programme affect your method to Edible Thread? What would you say are the three most important issues you could have taken from this programme?
The mentorship and coaching through the EWA program supplied me with helpful insights and assist in creating my product.
The three most important takeaways from this system are: enhancing enterprise methods, networking with different feminine entrepreneurs and mentors, and entry to sources which have helped me additional develop Edible Thread.
As you propose to broaden manufacturing capability, what methods are you implementing to make sure the edible thread stays accessible to numerous culinary markets whereas sustaining its allergen-free and eco-friendly traits?
After finishing the event of Edible Thread in real-world situations, our plan is to develop a machine for producing edible threads for instance immediately in eating places to extend scalability and permit everybody to make the threads. This can cut back monetary prices and enhance accessibility. Methods embrace investing in superior applied sciences and optimising manufacturing processes, shut collaboration with famend eating places and culinary faculties, and creating new merchandise that can meet numerous market wants.
The deal with pure and allergen-free elements stays important.
Sustainability and the usage of pure supplies are core values of Edible Thread. How do you guarantee your merchandise and processes align with this dedication?
We make sure that our merchandise and processes align with sustainability rules by means of strict qc, the usage of pure elements, and minimising waste in any respect phases of manufacturing. Each step in our course of is designed with a deal with environmental friendliness and sustainability.
How has buyer suggestions influenced the design and options of the edible thread, and what future enhancements are you prioritising to satisfy evolving wants within the culinary arts?
Buyer suggestions has been essential in shaping the design and options of Edible Thread. Primarily based on their solutions, we’re engaged on bettering product adaptability, increasing the vary of colours and flavors, and enhancing performance.
Our precedence is the additional growth of edible thread immediately in eating places with cooks, i.e., in real-world situations, to satisfy the more and more subtle wants within the culinary area.
To conclude this interview, what recommendation would you give to different girls entrepreneurs contemplating becoming a member of the EWA programme?
I might advise different girls entrepreneurs to not concern challenges and to make the most of the chance that the EWA programme presents. The programme offers invaluable assist, data, and networking that may considerably assist in creating a enterprise. Be open to studying, connecting, and sharing experiences, as it will aid you develop and develop your entrepreneurial enterprise.
Celebrating success and searching forward
The EWA programme continues demonstrating the facility of focused assist for girls entrepreneurs within the agri-food sector. Offering mentorship, networking, and hands-on coaching, this program allows contributors to convey their progressive concepts to life whereas fostering a extra inclusive and sustainable meals system. The success tales from the 2024 version spotlight the programme’s far-reaching affect, from securing funding to scaling companies and getting into new markets.
