EWA Macedonia 2025 Concludes with Demo Day Success

Each participant presented her project through an individual pitch to a jury of experienced innovators and investors. Two ventures stood out for their innovation, market potential, and commitment to sustainability, securing the top financial awards. 

🥇 First Prize (€10,000): Simona Vasileva Petrova (AMBROSIAA)

Simona Vasileva Petrova won the top award of €10,000 for AMBROSIAA, a project aiming to produce semi-finished food products for the HoReCa sector and general consumers. Her solution stands out for its circular approach, using by-products from other manufacturers and second-grade agricultural goods that would otherwise be wasted.

🥈 Second Prize (€5,000): Nadica Desanova (MIMIC TECH)

Nadica Desanova earned the €5,000 second prize for her innovative project, MIMIC TECH, which develops kombucha-based bioplastics. Her solution offers a biodegradable, non-toxic material made from renewable sources, aiming to replace single-use industrial packaging with environmentally friendly alternatives.

The Demo Day delivered far more than pitch presentations - it created a space for learning, connection, and inspiration.

Inspirational Sessions:
Dr. Žarko Kostić, personal development coach, delivered a motivational talk titled “Not every step is perfect — but every step counts,” encouraging participants to stay committed to their growth. Dr. Marija Gjosheva–Kovachevic from the Agricultural Institute in Skopje followed with an insightful lecture on “The future of the agrifood sector.”

Networking and Collaboration:
The event brought together participating women entrepreneurs, the mentors who guided them over the past six months, as well as investors, institutional representatives, and innovation ecosystem experts - strengthening partnerships and creating valuable networking opportunities.

In her closing remarks, Emilija Andonova, Programme Director at the Foundation for Management and Industrial Research and Co-Coordinator of EWA Macedonia, encouraged participants to keep pursuing their entrepreneurial ambitions and highlighted the crucial role of supporting women in innovation.

The EWA programme plays a key role in promoting gender equality within the agrifood sector, fostering women’s leadership and influence. Through their local implementation, the Foundation for Management and Industrial Research demonstrates a strong commitment to unlocking women’s innovative potential, building a sustainable business ecosystem, and amplifying the impact of women entrepreneurs in agrifood.

MIR is a dynamic organization driving economic development, innovation, and sustainability. It supports startups and scale-ups through entrepreneurship programs, including the YES incubator and Women in Business initiatives. MIR’s four key areas—economic development, research & innovation, environment, and society—focus on technology transfer, eco-innovation, and inclusive growth. A member of the Enterprise Europe Network since 2008, MIR actively promotes women entrepreneurship, organizes networking and pitching events, and provides policy recommendations. It advocates for gender equality in STEM and innovation while fostering a stronger, greener, and more inclusive economy.

Learn more about Foundation for Management and Industrial Research on their webpage.