Challenges
Quarantine measures and lockdowns throughout Europe have caused a rearrangement in the usual food supply networks. The value of using, supporting and promoting locally produced supplies and foods – as well as short food supply chains that link producers directly with consumers – has become apparent. In order to further reinforce local food supply networks, we are looking for visionary teams that can provide solutions in the domains of:
- Connecting local producers directly with consumers
- Projecting demand and priority of local goods
- Community-based supply chains
- Solutions for surplus food distribution
Food production is a wasteful process, during which between 20-40% of food is lost. Thus, utilizing the by-products and side-streams of these processes to produce value adding products is essential in our collective pursuits of sustainable environments and circular economies. The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has returned food production side-stream utilization into the spotlight. We are on the lookout for smart and easy to implement solutions that help with:
- Side-stream value discovery
- Aggregating by-products
- Monetizing side-streams
- Side-stream recycling or utilization
The COVID-19 related disturbances in our food supply networks and consumption patters has caused significant food waste, as well as led to major financial losses for food manufacturers, distributors and retailers. Packaging is one of the key factors at the center of all of this. We welcome all innovative solutions for food packaging that address such issues as:
- Consumer-oriented traceability solutions
- Digital technology-infused packaging
- Lowering the environmental footprint of packages
- Biodegradable and recycled packaging
On-line retail and food product or meal deliveries to the consumers’ doorstep have skyrocketed throughout Europe and the World. And the end of this surge in no where in sight. Yet alternative retail channels and the so called “last mile delivery” remain relatively open fields for novel and efficiency-increasing solutions. We are welcoming teams that offer solutions related to:
- Solving increasing demand for last mile delivery
- Controlling and monitoring conditions of last mile delivery
- Environmental footprint of last mile delivery
- Simplifying retail for food producers
Why is it worth to participate?
For business
- Experienced international teams will pitch targeted solutions and demonstrate MVPs developed for your personal challenges
- You will be able to track the progress and interact with teams and their supporting mentors during on-line sessions and webinars
- You will gain visibility among AgriFood innovators, key stakeholders, sector clusters and Digital Innovation Hubs throughout Europe
For teams
- The best teams will get valuable prizes
- You will be able to sell your idea to an AgriFood sector company
- You will gain visibility among AgriFood innovators, key stakeholders, sector clusters and Digital Innovation Hubs throughout Europe
Mentors
Grigoris Chatzikostas
AgTech and FoodTech innovation expert
Aleksej Kovaliov
Senior Program Director – EIS Ltd
Jury
Mika Kukkurainen
Partner, Founder at Nordic FoodTech VC
Grigoris Chatzikostas
AgTech and FoodTech innovation expert
Sergejus Fedotovas
CEO of the State Plant Service
Newsletter
Sponsors and partners
