Boosting agrifood innovation: EWA Bootcamp for women entrepreneurs in Czech Republic
During the EWA Bootcamp in Prague, participants were guided through innovative design thinking techniques to develop home-growing solutions for microgreens, driving sustainability and efficiency in the food service industry.
Prague, August 19, 2024 – The EWA Bootcamp in the Czech Republic, organized as part of the Empowering Women in Agrifood programme and led by Plastia and cats2cats, brought exciting innovations to the microgreens sector. Held at the U.S. Embassy in Prague, the event was inaugurated by Cultural Attaché Luke Meinzen, who emphasized the importance of supporting women entrepreneurs and fostering innovation for developing sustainable solutions in agrifood and strengthening the economy. "This Bootcamp demonstrates how we can contribute to positive change together," Meinzen stated.
"Thanks to the workshop, I realized how important it is to try new ways of solving problems and not to give up when things don't go according to plan. The design thinking method showed me how I can gradually improve my ideas based on feedback from others in the team. This approach taught me, how to look at problems from different angles and come up with new, better ideas for my business"
Innovation and Creativity Under Plastia’s Guidance
Under the leadership of Matěj Malecha and Lenka Novotná, co-owners of Plastia, participants of the EWA Bootcamp focused on potential innovations for the food service industry. The challenge at hand was to develop home-growing dishes for the popular microgreens. The theme of the day, "Microgreens in the Food Industry," prompted teams to devise new and practical solutions to enrich the sector.
Matěj Malecha, a design thinking expert, guided the teams through the following steps of this methodology:
- Empathy: Participants began by delving into the needs and challenges of target users, such as restaurants and school cafeterias. They identified key needs, including efficient, space-saving solutions for growing microgreens that could be easily integrated into existing operations.
- Problem Definition: Based on gathered insights, teams formulated a specific problem – the lack of compact, easy-to-use growing containers that could be effectively utilized in the commercial food industry. They identified that current options (such as the size and maintenance of microgreens) often do not meet the needs of efficient production and upkeep.
- Idea Generation: Teams created a wide range of potential solutions, including innovative growing systems that use vertical space, modular designs for easy adaptation to different kitchen or restaurant sizes, and automated irrigation systems that reduce the need for frequent intervention.
- Prototyping: Teams then developed preliminary versions of their proposed solutions for presentation. The prototypes included various growing container models, ranging from compact hanging units to larger vertical systems, featuring elements like LED lighting and integrated sensors for optimal growth or automated watering.
- Testing: In the final step, teams tested their prototypes with target users – the bootcamp audience. All teams received valuable feedback from Plastia representatives.
Inspirational Presentations and Recognition
Lenka Novotná expressed her enthusiasm for the teams' creative approaches: “It was inspiring to see how the participants tackled the challenge. Their innovative solutions are not only practical but also have the potential to bring real change to the food industry,” Novotná said.
The EWA Bootcamp aimed to equip participants with key skills necessary for their projects:
- Problem-Solving: How to effectively analyze problems, generate new ideas, and create practical solutions.
- Communication: How to clearly and effectively present complex ideas to different target audiences.
The event highlighted the power of teamwork in driving significant progress within the agrifood sector. By fostering collaboration, it showed how collective efforts can lead to meaningful and impactful innovations.
For the last four years, the EWA Programme has been working to support female entrepreneurs by offering them training, guidance, and mentorship. This initiative helps women gain the tools and resources they need to succeed in the agrifood industry, creating a more inclusive and diverse future for the sector.
“Bootcamps like this one not only foster innovation but also contribute to the personal and professional growth of the participants. We are proud to have collaborated with Plastia and to offer an opportunity to create a project that could be a future market solution.”
About cats2cats z.s.
Established in 2011, cats2cats z.s. is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting women in all aspects of their lives. Their motto, CATS (Creativity, Activity, Talent, Sharing), guides their mission to empower women through various programmes and initiatives. Whether it's through mentorship programmes, skill-building workshops, or networking events, they are committed to supporting women every step of the way.
Learn more about cats2cats z.s. on their web page.
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