From Finance to Storytelling: Portuguese EWA Mentees Advance Their Agrifood Ventures

The day opened with a session on Financial Management and Planning, led by Nadine Teles (MINDshift Skills Hub), who shared practical strategies for building strong, sustainable business foundations. This was followed by an engaging Pitching and Storytelling workshop with Clara Gameiro Pais (BGI Sustainable Ventures), which focused on helping entrepreneurs communicate their ideas with clarity, confidence and impact.

In the afternoon, Joana Cruz (Food4Sustainability CoLAB) introduced participants to the topic “The Soil Microbiome at the Service of the Agrifood Industry”, offering a scientific perspective on innovation and sustainability. The group also visited ArrudaLab, where research and entrepreneurship meet, gaining valuable insights into applied innovation in the agrifood ecosystem.

To conclude the day, the mentees dedicated time to refining and rehearsing their pitches, preparing for the EWA Portugal Final, which will take place on 24 November 2025.

The Masterclass served as an important milestone in the EWA journey, blending business development, scientific insight and peer learning to empower women to lead change in Portugal’s agrifood sector.

This year’s cohort brings together ten innovative women working across diverse areas of the agrifood sector, from circular economy and biotechnology to digital tools and sustainable nutrition. Their ventures aim to reduce waste, improve food systems, and foster more conscious consumption. Below is an overview of the projects they will develop over the course of the programme:

• Ana Pires is developing PackWAI, an accessible and intuitive solution to optimize the development of biodegradable/compostable packaging, promoting circular economy and sustainability in the food sector.
• Ítala Marx leads VIDA, a project that transforms by-products from the agri-food industry, such as olive pomace, into high-value functional ingredients, fostering health, sustainability, and the circular economy.
• Viviana Ribeiro is working on AgriDerma, a project that develops an innovative dermal matrix from agri-food industry by-products, offering an ethical and sustainable alternative for laboratory testing and biomedical applications.
• Ana Vilas-Boas is developing BioUpCycle, a venture that transforms agrifood waste into high-value biostimulants and culture media, contributing to more regenerative and sustainable agriculture.
• Paula Galvanini founded MAI Fermentation House, a platform that promotes autonomy in the production of healthy and sustainable fermented foods at home. Through hands-on workshops and DIY kits, she empowers consumers to care for their gut health while reducing reliance on industrial food systems. The project also offers ready-to-eat fermented foods from small local producers.
• Maria Antunes is building Nula, a digital platform that combines an online school and a food assistant, supporting users through every stage of their food journey, from shopping to repurposing leftovers, promoting sustainability with every bite.
• Mariana Fortes runs Pegada Distinta by Pluralgae, a project that develops food and beverage products enriched with spirulina. Her work combines innovation in nutrition with low environmental impact, offering accessible, sustainable alternatives to conventional protein sources.
• Inês Luís is developing Susplus, a transformative and simple digital platform designed with and for SMEs. It converts a seamless flow of value chain data into actionable and collaborative decarbonisation strategies. We are the missing link connecting small businesses and large companies through data and projects, driving climate action.
• Ana Cristina Vítor leads RumiPep, developing a functional feed additive for ruminants using antimicrobial peptides from industry by-products to improve animal health and reduce antibiotics use.