Editor’s Notice: This put up was created in collaboration with and with monetary assist from EIT Meals.
The Empowering Ladies 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. Ladies’s contributions to sustainable meals programs and rural communities are invaluable, but usually ignored, and this programme seeks to bridge that hole by fostering management, confidence, and enterprise acumen amongst members.
The 2024 version of the EWA programme marked its fifth profitable yr, 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, members benefited from a complete suite of mentoring, enterprise teaching, and networking alternatives, alongside specialised coaching supplied 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 influence on the sector.
As a part of this sequence, we’ll function interviews with three outstanding winners from the 2024 EWA programme. Every interview will supply 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, created from 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 broaden manufacturing capability and improve options primarily based on buyer suggestions, with a give attention to the zero-waste precept
Due to her modern 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 progress.
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 just a few years in the past once I was fascinated by tips on how to exchange current inedible options for binding components. Seeing the massive quantities of single-use kitchen merchandise which are used and discarded every 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 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 suppose these merchandise contribute to a sustainable meals system?
My motivation comes from a ardour for innovation and a want to create sustainable merchandise. Edible threads considerably contribute to a sustainable meals system by lowering waste as they’re solely consumable. Moreover, they supply cooks and lovers with new potentialities in creating and presenting dishes, which additional encourages creativity and sustainability within the culinary area.
What have 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 most important problem was designing and growing 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 way of the usage of pure components and know-how that minimizes waste and recycles all materials remnants.
What have been a number of the largest challenges you confronted whereas growing your corporation?
Throughout the growth of the enterprise, I confronted challenges resembling securing funding, enhancing data in areas like finance, gross sales, and legislation, 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 determine to take part in it?
I first heard concerning the EWA programme by way of trade colleagues who beneficial it as a wonderful growth alternative. I made a decision to take part within the programme to achieve 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 in the course of the EWA programme affect your method to Edible Thread? What would you say are the three major issues you might have taken from this programme?
The mentorship and coaching in the course of the EWA program supplied me with beneficial insights and assist in growing my product.
The three major takeaways from this system are: enhancing enterprise methods, networking with different feminine entrepreneurs and mentors, and entry to assets 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 circumstances, 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. It will scale back monetary prices and improve accessibility. Methods embrace investing in superior applied sciences and optimising manufacturing processes, shut collaboration with famend eating places and culinary faculties, and growing new merchandise that may meet varied market wants.
The give attention to pure and allergen-free components 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 ideas by way of strict quality control, the usage of pure components, and minimising waste in any respect phases of manufacturing. Each step in our course of is designed with a give attention to 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 solutions, we’re engaged on enhancing 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 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 worry challenges and to make the most of the chance that the EWA programme affords. The programme offers invaluable assist, data, and networking that may considerably assist in growing a enterprise. Be open to studying, connecting, and sharing experiences, as it will aid you develop and develop your entrepreneurial enterprise.
Celebrating success and looking out 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 members to convey their modern 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 influence, from securing funding to scaling companies and getting into new markets.