NewAgVentures Meetup 2024

26 Mar 2024

The NewAgVentures CEE Food Innovators Meetup in Warsaw, held on March 21, 2024, was a dynamic conference aimed at networking and showcasing the latest in agrifood innovation within Central and Eastern Europe. It featured engaging panels on AI in agrifood, net zero strategies, and emerging trends. Attendees included investors, startups, corporates, and experts who also enjoyed networking opportunities, expert insights, and innovative startup pitches. The event also introduced the "State of the CEE FoodTech & AgriTech" report, offering valuable insights into the region's agrifood ecosystem. For more detailed information, please visit the event page on EIT Food's website.

Marja-Liisa Meurice, Director EIT Food North and East Region , opened the conference by spotlighting the role within the CEE region. "Our region holds untapped potential in agri-food tech innovation. Let's harness our diverse capabilities to address global challenges head-on," Meurice stated, urging the community to seize the opportunities for innovation.

A major highlight of the conference was the launch of the The State of the CEE FoodTech & AgriTech Report 2023 Report, providing attendees with an exclusive access to the report. This report emphasised the recent decline in venture capital investments but also noted positive trends, including a keen interest in diversified proteins and significant advancements by startups in the region, particularly in sustainable technology.

"In the broader scope of global reports and data, it has become apparent that our region, while present, does not stand out as prominently as we would desire. We don't see the diversity, the beautiful ideas, or the strong technology our innovators are working on. There's an incredible collaboration between startups and companies here, and we're eager to foster even more. This was the genesis behind the report. It’s designed not only to celebrate startups from the EIT food portfolio and other innovators but also to demonstrate to investors the solutions that are being crafted here. Our hope is that this report, revealing the growth in startup numbers and their increasing share in the regional ecosystem, will shine a spotlight on the emerging momentum that’s truly palpable in the CEE region." - said Ewa Karólewska, Senior Startup Manager at EIT Food.

Panel discussions explored the current trends in agri-food tech, with a specific focus on Central and Eastern Europe. Insights were shared on the funding landscape, challenges and opportunities for startups, and the importance of fostering a supportive ecosystem for innovation. EIT Food's role in supporting startups through various programs and facilitating connections with investors and the industry was highlighted, demonstrating a concerted effort to boost the sector's growth.

The first panel of the conference, "Seeding Innovation: Exploring Agri-food Tech Trends in Central and Eastern Europe," shone a light on the significant strides made in the CEE agri-food tech sector. Alina Dolmate, representing the Technical University of Riga, spoke compellingly about the grassroots growth of the agri-food startup community. She said: "Just a few years back, AgriTech and AgriFood startups were but a mere 2.9% of the entire startup community in Latvia. But now, thanks to their active and collaborative efforts, we have a thriving community of around 60 to 70 startups, making it a force with significant influence in the sector." Dolmate's insights were a testament to the panel's broader narrative of optimism, innovation, and the potential within the CEE region to become a leader in the global agri-food tech landscape.

The second panel of the conference delved into the critical topic of sustainable practices to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the agri-food sector. Paulina Kaczmarek, Head of Sustainability at DANONE contributed to this dialogue with a quote that underscored the essence of collaborative effort and the necessity for innovative solutions to meet the climate targets:

"We have a roadmap until 2027, and beyond that lies a blank page that we need to fill. Continuing as before isn't an option; we need to be open to new solutions. We've made promises to our investors, our consumers, and our clients, and we are committed to delivering on those. For me, what's important is the collaboration with startups who bring fully circular concepts and create positive impacts." This perfectly encapsulates the critical need for big corporations and emerging startups to come together in forging paths toward sustainability, highlighting the synergistic potential that such partnerships hold for the future of the agri-food industry.

At the NewAgVentures CEE Food Innovators Meetup in Warsaw, a vibrant atmosphere enveloped the room as startups eagerly pitched their innovative ideas. Among them were Mewery, introducing their approach to sustainable meat alternatives. AIO took the stage with their technology aimed at replaycing palm oil, coconut oil and animal fats with sustainable and healthier alternatives. Napiferyn presented their novel concept of dealing with extraction of vegetable proteins, rapeseed being the first one to try. Lastly, Rebread showcased their vision for combating food waste through innovative upcycling techniques, transforming surplus bread into value-added products. Each startup brought forth their unique perspectives and solutions, embodying the spirit of entrepreneurship and creativity in the food industry.

Building on the momentum of earlier sessions, the third panel of the day foccused on the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in revolutionising agricultural practices and the broader food industry. Experts from various facets of the agrifood ecosystem shared insights into how AI is being leveraged to enhance crop yield predictions, optimise supply chain efficiency, and drive sustainable farming practices. Through lively discussions, it became evident that AI's role extends beyond operational efficiencies to include critical contributions towards addressing global food security challenges and environmental sustainability. The panel underscored AI's capacity to provide actionable insights, enable precision agriculture, and foster innovative solutions that promise to reshape the agrifood sector for a more productive and sustainable future. One of the panelist, Joanna Przegalińska, Koźmiński University uniquely participated as an AI avatar. See the video below.

In reflection, the Warsaw meetup stands as a testament to the vibrancy and potential of the CEE's agri-food tech sector. As we wraped up the NewAgVentures CEE Food Innovators Meetup in Warsaw, it was clear this event was more than just a gathering. It was a vibrant exchange of practical ideas, a showcase of what's next in the agrifood sector, and a real chance to connect with like-minded folks.

See you at the next one!