EWA Programme Demo Day in Hungary: Meet the Inspiring Winners

The DEMO DAY of the EWA programme concluded with exciting presentations from finalists, who were awarded for their innovative business ideas.

• Grand Prize (€10,000)

The prestigious Grand Prize of €10,000 was awarded to Eszter Morvay, the founder of Felm, for her exceptional DeepTech project. Her work focuses on the analytical study of insect-based proteins, providing innovative solutions to contamination analysis. Eszter's project stands out for its potential to address important sustainability and food safety challenges, offering practical solutions for the future of protein sourcing and consumption.

• Second Prize (€5,000)

Fruzsina Farkas, the founder of Green Sommelier, received the Second Prize of €5,000. Fruzsina's business offers a range of alcohol-free beverages, gourmet workshops, and specialty fermented drinks. Her passion for creating a healthier, more sustainable drinking experience has gained recognition for its innovation in the beverage industry, catering to consumers looking for non-alcoholic options with a gourmet touch.

• Special Award

Noémi Fassang, founder of Fermentini, was presented with the Special Award. She received the Brancs service’s Media+Pro package worth HUF 545,000 + VAT, which will support the promotion and visibility of her business. Fermentini specializes in high-quality fermented products, and this award will help Noémi further grow her brand and reach a wider audience.

These winners were recognized for their groundbreaking ideas and contributions to sustainability, health, and innovation.

While not all participants received monetary prizes, every mentee in the EWA programme gained valuable knowledge and experience. The programme featured several innovative projects, including:

• Borlekvár – Unique jams made from winemaking byproducts,

• Digital Plant Tamagotchi – A sustainability education tool,

• Moringa-Kombucha Drink – A healthy, fermented beverage,

• Paprika Aroma Map – A mapped representation of Hungarian paprika scents,

• Freeze-Dried Cheese Snack – A snack prepared using special technology,

• Zoi Kingdom – Vegan superfood bars,

• Plant Stem Cell Technology – Utilizing plant stem cells for the super plants of the future.

These diverse projects highlighted the strength and creativity of women in innovation, showcasing their contributions to various industries.

The six-month EWA programme has successfully supported the growth of female entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector while fostering a collaborative community for long-term success. Organized every two years in Hungary and supported by the EIT Food, the programme empowers women by providing mentorship, workshops, and networking opportunities.

Through these initiatives, participants gain valuable skills and confidence to drive innovation and tackle industry challenges. The programme not only helps women entrepreneurs develop their businesses but also inspires others to dream big and contribute to a sustainable future in agrifood. By creating a strong support network, the EWA programme is making a lasting impact on the sector.

Pozi Network Zrt is an open innovation platform designed to assess and connect members of the startup ecosystem. POZI creates and organizes innovation events and service packages for large companies. POZI brings structure to the messy processes of finding an idea, building a team, or launching a new product. Their goal is to support startups worldwide.

Learn more about Pozi Network Zrt on their webpage.