EWA Matchmaking 2025: Presenting North Macedonia’s Women Innovators in Agrifood
The Foundation for Management and Industrial Research, in collaboration with EIT Food, has launched the 2025 edition of the Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) programme in North Macedonia. Designed to support early-stage women entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector, the programme offers a six-month journey filled with personalised mentoring, hands-on training, and community building.
On Friday, June 20, the Public Room hosted the EWA Matchmaking 2025 event, an inspiring gathering organized under the Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) programme. Supported by EIT Food and locally implemented by the Foundation for Management and Industrial Research, the event brought together women entrepreneurs who are pioneering innovative ideas within the agrifood sector. This dynamic and inspiring gathering was fully dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs developing innovative ideas in the agrifood sector. The session aimed to establish meaningful connections between mentors and mentees – marking the starting point of a six-month mentoring journey focused on advancing sustainable and impactful business solutions.
The event opened with a welcome presentation by the MIR team, outlining the goals, structure, and participant expectations within the programme, as well as the role of mentors. Following the introduction, the participants had their first opportunity to present themselves to the mentors and the audience through short five-minute pitch presentations. They shared their business ideas, the inspiration behind them, and their vision for future development.
One of the key moments of the event was the interactive discussion between mentors and mentees, aimed at building mutual understanding, setting shared goals, and outlining the next steps in the mentoring process. The session ended with informal networking during a shared lunch, providing an opportunity for further conversation in a comfortable and relaxed environment.
Meet the 10 entrepreneurs from the EWA 2025 North Macedonian cohort:
- Angela Jakimovska is developing an online platform connecting local beekeepers with consumers nationwide, offering easy access to quality honey and bee products.
- Biljana Taneva promotes regenerative agriculture by reusing crop residues to protect soil, retain moisture, and reduce carbon emissions.
- Gordana Nestorovska plans to produce insect-based protein powder for food products, aiming to establish a mini-factory to meet the growing demand for sustainable protein.
- Ivana Mitevska focuses on cultivating microgreens in biodegradable packaging, sold through direct and online channels.
- Kristina Todorova offers ready-made mushroom-growing substrates and educational support, while creating value-added products like pasta from dried mushroom flour.
- Marija Georgievska produces eco-food from medicinal herbs and edible flowers, using a circular model that supports rural women and youth through herbal tourism and product sales.
- Nadica Desanova creates biodegradable materials from kombucha, offering a sustainable alternative to leather and plastic for B2B markets, with plans to scale through licensing.
- Simona Vasileva Petrova produces semi-finished meals from surplus fruits and vegetables, helping reduce food waste and support the hospitality sector with ready-to-use products.
- Snezana Jakovska introduces a smart indoor farming system using aeroponics to grow microgreens with minimal water and no soil, suitable for schools, rooftops, and restaurants.
- Tanja Markovska produces natural nut butters using traditional stone grinding, offering a healthy, additive-free product for conscious consumers.
We are proud to introduce the mentors who will support the participants over the next six months:
- Zvonko Pacanovski
- Penka Mukaetova
- Zagorka Blazhevska
- Despina Popovska Stojanov
- Dimitar Jovevski
- Jana Klopchevska
- Zaklina Golcheva
- Igor Nikoloski
- Predrag Stojkovski
- Sasho Velkovski.
What’s Next for EWA North Macedonia Participants?
Over the coming months, the ten selected EWA participants will continue refining their innovative business ideas with the support of experienced mentors, targeted training, and practical learning opportunities. Each woman entrepreneur will benefit from personalized guidance to strengthen their business models.
The journey will conclude with the local Demo Day event later this year, where participants will showcase their final business ideas to a panel of experts and a broader audience. This event will highlight their progress and offer a valuable opportunity to compete for financial support. The two most outstanding entrepreneurs will be awarded €10,000 and €5,000 respectively, helping them move forward with their sustainable agrifood ventures and create real impact in the sector.
About Foundation for Management and Industrial Research
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.
