Türkiye launches its largest EWA cohort to date with support from Anadolu Efes

This year marks a major milestone for the programme in Türkiye, thanks to the support of Anadolu Efes, which joins EWA as a national sponsor. Their contribution has made it possible to increase the number of participants from 10 to 15, expand access to training, and strengthen the mentoring journey. As one of the country’s leading food and beverage companies, Anadolu Efes brings valuable expertise, networks and visibility to the programme.

This year’s EWA cohort in Türkiye brings together a wide range of innovative solutions addressing issues such as sustainable agriculture, food waste, nutrition, digitalisation and circular economy. From microbial fertilisers to AI-powered label readers, the cohort reflects the diversity and strength of women-led innovation in the agrifood sector.

Here is an overview of the 15 startups participating in the 2025 Turkish edition of EWA:

› Cherry Mic (Iraz Aktay) – A biotechnology startup producing eco-friendly microbial fertilisers that reduce the use of synthetic chemicals in agriculture. By improving soil health and reducing environmental impact, the solution supports more sustainable and resilient farming.

› Lady Bites (Özlem Gündüz) – Developing functional snack bars specially formulated for women in menopause. The products combine plant-based ingredients and targeted nutrients to support hormonal balance and wellbeing.

› Coldfusion (Deniz Ünver) – A cloud kitchen offering vegetarian, gluten-free and sugar-free products made with health and inclusion in mind. The startup operates with a social impact model that empowers communities through access to better food.

› Conlus Crop Science (Özge Karaçay) – An agritech company creating natural crop protection products that leave no chemical residues. Their innovation addresses both environmental and human health risks associated with pesticide use.

› Eatrue (Deniz Kurudere) – An AI-powered app that scans food labels and instantly translates them into accessible nutritional and environmental insights, helping consumers make informed and conscious food choices.

› Dijital Tarlam (Zeynep Ceren Öztürk) – A digital platform that uses AI and data analytics to optimise agricultural planning and distribution for small and medium-sized farms, increasing efficiency and profitability.

› INOPOLYME (Simay Erbay) – Creating smart indicators made from bio-based materials that can monitor food freshness in real time. These indicators improve food safety and reduce waste throughout the supply chain.

› Growyzone (Duygu Can) – A soil-free farming system using hydroponics and vertical agriculture to produce pesticide-free food with 85% less water. The closed-loop setup allows for local, year-round cultivation.

› Solis Teknoloji (Esma Saltık Çiçek) – Designing dynamic LED lighting systems tailored to different plant species and growth stages. Their smart lighting improves crop productivity and energy efficiency in controlled environments.

› Prolit (Berfin Doğrul) – Developing functional chewing gums with natural active ingredients. Positioned at the intersection of health and convenience, the products serve both wellness and supplement markets.

› Bioduck (Ayça Korkmaz Vurmaz) – Creating biodegradable materials from food industry waste to replace conventional plastics. Their innovation targets agriculture and food packaging to reduce microplastic pollution.

› AgroEva (İrem Altın) – Offering soil restoration products based on regenerative agriculture principles. AgroEva’s formulations help farmers rebuild soil fertility while reducing reliance on harmful inputs.

› Bu Ne Yemek (Ayça Adıyaman) – Turning leftover bread into fermented food products using traditional Japanese koji fermentation. The startup tackles food waste while promoting gut-friendly nutrition.

› Plantica (Deniz Kılıç) – Producing humic acid from natural sources to improve soil structure and fertility. Plantica supports sustainable farming practices and contributes to carbon sequestration in agriculture.

› KANİNO (Derya Özdemir) – Extracting essential oils from citrus peel waste to create high-value natural products for the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. The startup promotes circularity and local sourcing.

The cohort will now move into the core phase of the EWA programme, which combines one-on-one mentoring with business training and expert sessions. The initiative will culminate in a Demo Day where participants will pitch their projects to a panel of experts. The two most promising ventures will receive €10,000 and €5,000 to accelerate their growth.

Beyond the selected mentees, the 2025 edition in Türkiye also offers new learning modules for non-selected applicants, thanks to the support of Anadolu Efes. This effort reflects the broader mission of EIT Food and its partners to expand access to entrepreneurial knowledge and foster inclusive innovation in agrifood.