Editor’s Observe: This publish 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, abilities, and networks wanted to succeed. Ladies’s contributions to sustainable meals programs and rural communities are invaluable, but typically missed, 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 12 months, 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 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 affect on the sector.
As a part of this sequence, we are going to function interviews with three exceptional winners from the 2024 EWA programme. Every interview will supply a singular 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
In the present day, 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 substances collectively. This thread, made out of pure supplies with out allergens, is offered in varied colours and sizes. Ekaterina has developed each a prototype and a pilot model of the machine and intends to increase manufacturing capability and improve options primarily based on buyer suggestions, with a concentrate on the zero-waste precept
Because of her modern concepts, Ekaterina took house the grand prize of €10,000! On this interview, we intention 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 a couple of years in the past after I was fascinated with how one can change present inedible options for binding substances. Seeing the big quantities of single-use kitchen merchandise which are used and discarded day by 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 College of Meals Expertise and Biotechnology, the place I gained a broad spectrum of data and expertise within the meals trade and R&D, which impressed me to pursue entrepreneurship.
What motivated you to specialize in 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 lowering waste as they’re fully consumable. Moreover, they supply cooks and fans with new prospects in creating and presenting dishes, which additional encourages creativity and sustainability within the culinary subject.
What had been the most important 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 in the marketplace. 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 via the usage of pure substances and expertise that minimizes waste and recycles all materials remnants.
What had been among the greatest challenges you confronted whereas creating your corporation?
In the course of the growth of the enterprise, I confronted challenges similar to 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 had 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 via trade colleagues who advisable it as a superb growth alternative. I made a decision to take part within the programme to achieve extra data, abilities, 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 throughout the EWA programme affect your strategy to Edible Thread? What would you say are the three fundamental issues you have got taken from this programme?
The mentorship and coaching throughout the EWA program supplied me with worthwhile insights and assist in creating my product.
The three fundamental 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 increase manufacturing capability, what methods are you implementing to make sure the edible thread stays accessible to various 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 straight in eating places to extend scalability and permit everybody to make the threads. This may scale back monetary prices and enhance accessibility. Methods embody investing in superior applied sciences and optimising manufacturing processes, shut collaboration with famend eating places and culinary colleges, and creating new merchandise that can meet varied market wants.
The concentrate on pure and allergen-free substances 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 be sure that our merchandise and processes align with sustainability ideas via strict quality control, the usage of pure substances, and minimising waste in any respect phases 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 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 options, 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 straight in eating places with cooks, i.e., in real-world circumstances, to satisfy the more and more refined wants within the culinary subject.
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 make the most of the chance that the EWA programme provides. 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 assist you develop and develop your entrepreneurial enterprise.
Celebrating success and looking out forward
The EWA programme continues demonstrating the facility of focused assist for ladies entrepreneurs within the agri-food sector. Offering mentorship, networking, and hands-on coaching, this program allows contributors to deliver 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 affect, from securing funding to scaling companies and coming into new markets.
