Ukrainian Scale-Ups Step Boldly Into Europe: Amplifiers – EIT Food Challenge Labs 2024 Wraps Up
Despite ongoing challenges, Ukraine continues to demonstrate remarkable innovation strength — and the Amplifiers: EIT Food Challenge Labs 2024 is the latest proof. This high-impact edition, tailored for mature Ukrainian agrifood companies, successfully concluded in early 2025, providing mentorship, expert support, and the practical tools needed to help local businesses leap into European markets.
Amplifiers: A Launchpad for Growth
Over 100 days, the program empowered 10 hand-picked scale-ups from a pool of 25 strong applicants. These companies were chosen based on their innovation capacity, export potential, and readiness to scale. Each brought a unique solution to the table — all were poised for international growth.
Workshops That Delivered Results
Participants took part in three hybrid workshops delivered both in Kyiv and online. Sessions covered:
- Intellectual Property Rights with Kostiantyn Zerov
- EU Marketing Strategy with Tetiana Filipovych
- Key Mistakes in Entering Foreign Markets with Sergei Wenger
Complemented by one-on-one mentoring, the sessions enabled each team to translate knowledge into action. By the program’s conclusion, five companies had already generated over €10,000 in EU sales, while all ten had crafted detailed market entry strategies.
Scale-Ups Taking the Lead
Among the top-performing scale-ups in the 2024 edition were five standout companies — each blending innovation with deep roots in Ukrainian food heritage and clear international ambitions:
- Olkom Group – With a legacy dating back to 1949, Olkom builds on the foundation of the Kyiv Margarine Plant to produce high-quality products derived from purified sunflower oil. Today, Olkom continues to lead the industry while innovating with health-conscious offerings and sustainable practices.
- UkrPtakha – From humble beginnings in 1998 as a small workshop, the company has evolved into a national leader in meat semi-finished products. By honoring traditional Ukrainian recipes while adapting to changing consumer preferences, Ukrptakhoservice offers a broad range of quality offerings with mass appeal.
- Sprout Dynamics – A pioneering agri-tech scale-up revolutionizing sprouting technology. Their flagship innovation – a dynamic 100-hour sprouting cycle – drastically reduces cyanide levels in flax seeds, enhancing both food safety and nutritional value.
- Khmelnytskyi Pasta Factory – Specializing in pasta and flour-based products made from Ukrainian grain, this factory seamlessly combines tradition with modern manufacturing. The result: premium, export-ready products grounded in local heritage.
- SIPC KARE - Founded in 1991, KARE specializes in embedded systems and automated solutions. Their mission is to combat global hunger through technology. The company's core strength lies in its professional team capable of developing unconventional solutions for the agricultural sector.
- Lao Dao – More than a tea company, Lao Dao is redefining mindful consumption in Ukraine. By introducing modern food rituals through specialty teas, the brand is revitalizing cultural connections and promoting a more holistic, healthy lifestyle.
Beyond Skills: Building Connections
Amplifiers was not just about training. It was about visibility and community. The program was featured at New Food Summit 2024, a premier Kyiv event attended by over 450 agrifood leaders, and at the Fair of Opportunities, giving scale-ups the stage to showcase their work.
What’s Next?
The next call for applications is around the corner. Interested Ukrainian scale-ups eager to scale beyond borders can apply at: https://amplifiers.pro
“The Amplifiers: EIT Food Challenge Labs gave me a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience in testing ideas and commercialising them. Thanks to this course, I not only improved my knowledge of food technology, but also managed to build useful connections that have been useful in my career.” — Evgeniy Vasyliev, Kare
As Ukraine continues to rebuild and reimagine its future, Amplifiers: EIT Food Challenge Labs stands as a powerful symbol of the country's unwavering entrepreneurial spirit. The success of the 2024 edition shows that, even in times of adversity, Ukraine’s agrifood innovators are not only ready to compete — they’re ready to lead. With new calls opening soon, the next generation of Ukrainian scale-ups is already preparing to take the stage. Resilient, resourceful, and forward-looking, Ukraine’s ecosystem is poised to make an even greater impact across Europe and beyond.
