Are you a student and have an idea for using food waste? Do you want to present your plan to experts, but also confront it with real market needs? Take the EIT Food ’Waste-to-Value’ challenge and join a course where you will contribute to the development of the circular economy, meet mentors from the world of science and business and get the chance to prototype your idea.
About
The Food Solutions ‘Waste-to-Value’ programme is an exciting opportunity for students to develop a circular economy by transforming food waste into valuable biomaterials. Through structured learning blocks and the practical dimension of the course, participants will develop an entrepreneurial mindset, learn about innovation ecosystems and sustainability practices over the course of 7 months.
Join us if you want to:
- learn about the circular economy,
- develop competencies including problem solving, leadership and critical thinking,
- awaken a design thinking approach to the food system, from supply chain to packaging to marketing,
- create a professional business plan and innovation concept,
- work under the guidance of mentors.
Programme structure
The programme starts with a kick-off event (online, planned date: end of March), followed by: structured learning blocks and pitching sessions.
Learning blocks on entrepreneurship and innovation:
- Market – Assessing the potential of your innovation;
- Customers – Identifying your target audience and value proposition;
- Business model – Delivering value effectively;
- Marketing – Engaging with your audience;
- Finance – Financial basics for your venture.
Participants will attend three pitching sessions to effectively present their ideas, receive valuable feedback and refine their ideas with expert guidance. Mentoring from industry leaders will help transform ideas into viable business models.
Career opportunities
Food Solutions prepares students for a variety of career paths, including:
- Entrepreneurship – Starting your own business,
- Start-ups – Working in innovative companies,
- Consultancy – Becoming an innovation consultant,
- Entrepreneurship at organisational level – Making changes in organisations,
- Research and development – Working in the food sector.
Alumni of the programme have had the opportunity to work with leading companies, such as Puratos, or start their own start-ups.
Who can apply?
The programme is aimed at students who are at the idea stage of their innovation and want to develop a prototype. If you are an undergraduate, masters or doctoral student in food technology, agricultural engineering, dietetics, economics, management, or other related fields, apply! Priority will be given to those with English skills at B1-B2 level.
The international programme allows for scholarships, making participation in the €3,500 course free of charge. In addition, the first winning team will have the chance to win a prize of €1,500.
Be part of the change, apply now!
Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us:
Dagmara: d.zlotkowska@pan.olsztyn.pl
Małgorzata: m.starowicz@pan.olsztyn.pl
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Food Solutions’ Waste-to-Value programme is organised in collaboration with Foodback, the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Yaşar University and the İzmir Agricultural Technology Center.
EIT FOOD is the biggest and most dynamic innovation community in the food industry. It creates connections across the food system and drives innovation between startups and corporations, entrepreneurs and investors, consumers and industry, research and action, the present and the future.
