Editor’s Notice: This publish was created in collaboration with and with monetary help from EIT Meals.
The Empowering Ladies in Agrifood (EWA) programme by EIT Meals gives 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, abilities, and networks wanted to succeed. Ladies’s contributions to sustainable meals techniques and rural communities are invaluable, but usually ignored, and this programme seeks to bridge that hole by fostering management, confidence, and enterprise acumen amongst individuals.
The 2024 version of the EWA programme marked its fifth profitable 12 months, partaking 120 feminine entrepreneurs from 12 international locations, together with Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and Ukraine. Over the course of six months, individuals 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 impression on the sector.
As a part of this collection, we are going to function interviews with three outstanding 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 components collectively. This thread, constituted of pure supplies with out allergens, is on the market in varied colours and sizes. Ekaterina has developed each a prototype and a pilot model of the machine and intends to develop manufacturing capability and improve options primarily based on buyer suggestions, with a concentrate on the zero-waste precept
Because of her revolutionary concepts, Ekaterina took residence the grand prize of €10,000! On this interview, we purpose 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 in regards to the inspiration behind Edible Thread and the way your journey into the agrifood sector started?
The inspiration behind Edible Thread got here just a few years in the past once I was fascinated about how you can substitute present inedible options for binding components. Seeing the big quantities of single-use kitchen merchandise which might be used and discarded every day motivated me to discover a sustainable different 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 trade and R&D, which impressed me to pursue entrepreneurship.
What motivated you to concentrate on FMCG and Edible Thread, and the way do you assume 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 had been the most important challenges you confronted whereas growing 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 largest problem was designing and growing a completely 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 sphere 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 using pure components and know-how that minimizes waste and recycles all materials remnants.
What had been among the greatest challenges you confronted whereas growing your online business?
Throughout the improvement of the enterprise, I confronted challenges equivalent to securing funding, enhancing data in areas like finance, gross sales, and legislation, and discovering optimum options for manufacturing. Moreover, constructing a help community and figuring out market alternatives had been vital challenges.
When did you first hear in regards to the EWA programme, and why did you resolve to take part in it?
I first heard in regards to the EWA programme by trade colleagues who really useful it as a wonderful improvement alternative. I made a decision to take part within the programme to achieve extra data, abilities, and monetary help wanted for the additional improvement of my enterprise. The programme additionally allowed me to develop my enterprise and community with different entrepreneurs, which was extraordinarily useful.
How did the mentorship and coaching throughout the EWA programme affect your method to Edible Thread? What would you say are the three predominant issues you’ve gotten taken from this programme?
The mentorship and coaching throughout the EWA program supplied me with useful insights and help in growing my product.
The three predominant 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 intend to develop 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 circumstances, our plan is to develop a machine for producing edible threads for instance instantly in eating places to extend scalability and permit everybody to make the threads. This can scale back monetary prices and improve accessibility. Methods embody investing in superior applied sciences and optimising manufacturing processes, shut collaboration with famend eating places and culinary faculties, and growing new merchandise that can meet varied market wants.
The concentrate on pure and allergen-free components stays important.
Sustainability and using pure supplies are core values of Edible Thread. How do you guarantee your merchandise and processes align with this dedication?
We be sure that our merchandise and processes align with sustainability ideas by strict qc, using pure components, and minimising waste in any respect levels of manufacturing. Each step in our course of is designed with a concentrate on 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 fulfill evolving wants within the culinary arts?
Buyer suggestions has been essential in shaping the design and options of Edible Thread. Primarily based on their strategies, we’re engaged on bettering product adaptability, increasing the vary of colours and flavors, and enhancing performance.
Our precedence is the additional improvement of edible thread instantly in eating places with cooks, i.e., in real-world circumstances, to fulfill the more and more refined 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’d advise different girls entrepreneurs to not concern challenges and to reap the benefits of the chance that the EWA programme gives. The programme gives invaluable help, data, and networking that may considerably assist in growing a enterprise. Be open to studying, connecting, and sharing experiences, as this may provide help to develop and develop your entrepreneurial enterprise.
Celebrating success and looking out forward
The EWA programme continues demonstrating the ability of focused help for ladies entrepreneurs within the agri-food sector. Offering mentorship, networking, and hands-on coaching, this program permits individuals to carry their revolutionary 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 impression, from securing funding to scaling companies and coming into new markets.
