EIT Food Agrifood Entrepreneurs Days in Madeira: A Catalyst for Innovation and Collaboration

The two-day programme featured a dynamic lineup of activities such as talks, workshops, and presentations, covering topics like agrifood innovation, funding opportunities, brand strategy, and marketing. Zelai Ambrosio, EIT Food South’s Ecosystem Manager, Introduced the role of EIT Food in driving innovation within the sector.

The event welcomed more than 18 influential speakers, including:

• Eduardo Jesus, Secretary of Economy, Tourism, and Culture
• Marta Miraldes, Managing Partner at SBI Consulting and Program Director at From Start-to-Table
• Isabel Faria, Angel Fund Leader at COREAngels Food
• Sara Mendes, Innovation Manager at Sogrape
• Teresa Vivas, Founder of Mesa
• Anouk Veber, Head of Ventures at Sparkfood

Their insights covered a wide array of subjects, such as FoodTech and AgriTech solutions, smart agriculture, sustainability, packaging innovation, and zero-waste practices. Discussions also delved into emerging technologies like IoT and AI in agriculture, alongside topics like e-commerce, digital platforms, and scaling businesses for a competitive global market.

The event was designed to connect Madeira’s agrifood community with national and international stakeholders. It included networking sessions that allowed startups, entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors to exchange ideas and form strategic alliances. The participation of local government officials emphasised Madeira’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and sustainable development within the region.

The EIT Food Agrifood Entrepreneurs Days succeeded in establishing Madeira as a hub for agrifood innovation. By creating a space for dialogue and collaboration, the event proved to be a steppingstone for future advancements in the sector, driving progress in areas such as sustainability, digital transformation, and smart production.

As one participant noted: “EIT Food and Startup Madeira, with this type of initiative, clearly demonstrate that not even the sky is the limit.”