10 Greek entrepreneurs selected for the fourth edition of EWA programme in Greece
EIT Food and 'A Woman Can Be' launched the Empowering Women in Agrifood programme for greek women entrepreneurs in the agrifood industry.
10 female entrepreneurs will go through a 6-month pre-incubation programme adapted to creating solutions for specific challenges in the agrifood industry.
10 Jul 2024
EIT Food South
Empowering Women in Agrifood, an EIT Food programme implemented in Greece in collaboration with 'A Woman Can Be', hosts 10 dedicated female entrepreneurs who have projects in the agrifood sector, and experienced mentors that are supporting them through a tailored programme starting this July 2024.
This six-month programme consists of a variety of trainings, networking opportunities, and a pitch day towards the end of the programme that will award two prizes of €10,000 and €5,000 to two entrepreneurs. The overall goal is to enable and develop their businesses and projects for sustainable long-term growth.
The EWA programme also provides an inclusive environment for the entrepreneurs to explore and share their personal journeys, support each other, and create synergies and strong bonds within the community.
The 10 selected entrepreneurs for EWA programme in Greece are:
- Aspasia-Sofia Pastrikou - Votanikos Farms: Aspasia-Sofia Pastrikou's Votanikos Farms on the island of Kos produces fresh and dried botanicals and herbs. The farm combines herbal products with tropical fruits and promotes sustainable practices like organic farming and smart agriculture. It also supports the revival of local agricultural traditions as an alternative to the resource-intensive tourism industry.
- Fotini Chatzi - Idiotropa: Fotini Chatzi's Idiotropa focuses on minimizing waste by utilizing the entire product and processing at low temperatures to conserve energy and maintain nutritional quality. The goal is to provide consumers with high-quality, tasty products that are easy to use and have a long shelf life, thereby reducing household waste. Idiotropa also aims to create additional products, generate local employment, and offer quality products to consumers.
- Eirini Daskalaki - Adeti Cretalands Winery: Located in a mountain village in central Crete, Eirini Daskalaki's Adeti Cretalands Winery spans 400 hectares of proprietary vineyards. The winery focuses on rescuing and promoting indigenous Cretan varieties, emphasizing sustainability with zero waste policies, solar energy, and water recycling. Using innovative sensors for real-time vineyard monitoring, Adeti enhances yield and quality while reducing resource use.
- Argyro Koutsouradi - Myrovolos Organics​: Argyro Koutsouradi's Myrovolos Organics aims to cultivate plants for infusions, combining high-quality local ingredients like Chios Mandarin PDO and Chios Mastiha PDO. Their flagship product, the "MYROVLI-TEAS" cube, developed with the University of the Aegean, is a dietary-therapeutic tea cube made from organic herbs and honey. Using freeze-drying technology, the cube dissolves easily in hot or cold water, offering convenience, high antioxidant properties, and potential health benefits. The product also features eco-friendly biodegradable packaging.
- Eleni Theofilou - Honey from aloe vera: Eleni Theofilou's innovative idea involves feeding bees with aloe vera, resulting in honey that combines the beneficial properties of both. This unique honey offers health benefits while strengthening beekeeping practices and ensuring no environmental waste.
- Eleftheria Anagnostaki - Creative Pots: Eleftheria Anagnostaki's Creative Pots is Greece's first agritourism marketing agency, dedicated to supporting local producers by showcasing their products and agritourism experiences. The agency promotes healthy lifestyles and sustainable development, with a mission to help agritourism businesses blossom and thrive in Greece.
- Stefania Rizou - Rizou Stefania: Stefania Rizou's project is an innovative digital marketplace that connects stakeholders in the agrifood sector, from farmers to consumers. It provides detailed information on producers, products, and farming practices, enabling small and medium-sized enterprises to showcase their products and expand their sales network efficiently. The platform aligns with consumer preferences for healthy living, food transparency, zero emissions, and sustainability, targeting both Greek and international markets.
- Marietta Rounta - Diatropheio: Marietta Rounta's Diatropheio is a dedicated space fostering a healthier and more conscious community through innovative food and nutrition initiatives. Key activities include culinary medicine, cooking sessions with local ingredients, local produce tastings, mindful eating encouragement, intercultural dinners, and children's educational programs. Diatropheio aims to promote sustainable eating practices, engage the community, and support local produce.
- Dimitra Tsiampokalou - GoNut: Dimitra Tsiampokalou's GoNut specializes in peanut production and the innovative processing of nuts into healthy butters. As the first peanut grower in the prefecture of Viotia and one of the few in Greece, Dimitra processes her peanuts into natural, additive-free nut butters, now offering 16 different varieties. She collaborates with young farmers to introduce this high-value crop, ensuring fresh products are available weekly through her online store and retail outlet.
- Antonia Vassiliou - Michalis Fishing Tourism: Antonia Vassiliou's Michalis Fishing Tourism provides invaluable experiences while serving as a new source of income for fishermen. This initiative promotes reduced use of selected fishing gear, creating new jobs and offering women active roles on the boats. It emphasizes the importance of fishers' participation in environmental sustainability and the preservation of fish stocks.
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