Winning innovations span the value chain: a plastic-free plant coating that extends fresh fruit shelf-life by over 25 days, a clean-label plant-based meat alternative made through fungal fermentation of organic vegetables and legumes, an AI-powered microscopy system automating honey quality analysis, a seaweed-based packaging range, an AI field robot for automated weeding and soil monitoring, a vineyard management platform for environmental monitoring and disease prediction, and an online learning platform for agritech and food technology skills.

All seven entrepreneurs had previously taken part in EIT Food entrepreneurship programmes, including the EIT Food Accelerator Network and RisingFoodStars, before their solutions reached commercial launch, illustrating how sustained support through prototype, validation and market-entry stages can translate into scaled-up impact across the food system.

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