Winners of the EWA 2025 Programme in Estonia Announced at the Demo Day in Tartu

Over the course of nearly six months, each participant had the valuable opportunity to develop her business idea with the support of a professional mentor and to take part in a variety of training courses designed to ensure the successful implementation of the programme. 

The goal of the Demo Day was to identify two business ideas with the highest final score, which received grants of €10,000 and €5,000 from EIT Food for further development. 

The event agenda also featured two inspirational speakers who shared their entrepreneurial journeys and encouraged the audience to reflect on and engage in discussions about a sustainable food system. 

The first speaker was Kaire Roosi, winner of the EWA Estonia 2023 programme and founder and CEO of NordTempeh. Kaire spoke about her experience in building a plant-based food company, insights into the vegan products market, and the broader global shift towards alternative proteins. She highlighted the importance of food innovation, the strategic decisions made by retail chains, the shaping of health policy, and the significant role of public-sector decisions in driving sustainable food transitions. 

Mary-Liis Kütt from ÄIO Tech continued the discussion by exploring future food technologies and the importance of science-based innovation. She reflected on policy development and the regulatory environment surrounding novel foods, raising the question of whether ÄIO could become the first Estonian company to obtain a novel food authorization. While her main focus was on the food sector, she also highlighted the potential of ÄIO’s technology in the cosmetics industry and emphasized the value of shared learning and a strong community of like-minded innovators. 

The winners of the EWA programme in Estonia were selected based on a combination of jury evaluations and the progress assessments provided by each participant’s mentor. In a highly competitive field, two outstanding entrepreneurs were recognised:

Janika Aan (FoodID) – winner of the EWA Estonia programme and recipient of €10,000 for further developing her business idea. FoodID offers radical food transparency through dynamic QR codes that disclose origin, production methods, and environmental impact. The platform helps sustainable producers stand out while empowering consumers to make informed choices at the point of purchase. Janika Aan will also represent Estonia at the EWA final event, “Accelerating Innovation Through Women Leadership,” taking place in Warsaw on December 4th, 2025.

Mari Aasmäe (Meal in Hand) – recipient of €5,000 to advance her innovative solution. Meal in Hand develops nutritious, ready-to-eat meals designed specifically for crisis environments. The meals require no water, heating, or utensils and are formulated to support physical and mental resilience during extreme conditions.

All ten women who completed the EWA 2025 programme in Estonia are well-positioned to continue building their businesses. We are confident that the knowledge, confidence, and connections gained throughout the journey will propel them toward new achievements.

Tartu Biotechnology Park (TBP) is a leading hub for innovation in Estonia’s biotechnology sector, providing office and laboratory spaces alongside business development and consultancy services. With 20 years of experience, TBP supports startups and established companies in health, foodtech, biotech, and cosmetics through networking, technology transfer, and market analysis. It fosters collaboration between research institutions, businesses, and international partners while organizing events like hackathons and seminars to drive innovation. TBP plays a key role in strengthening Estonia’s biotech ecosystem and supporting foreign companies entering the market.

Learn more about Tartu BT Park on their webpage.