Ten women-led ventures begin a six-month journey of mentoring, training, and innovation through EIT Food’s flagship programme supporting women entrepreneurs in agrifood.
The EWA Grow Programme 2026 has officially launched in Cyprus with the EWA Grow Matchmaking & Training Day, bringing together ten women-led agrifood ventures, mentors, and ecosystem partners to begin a six-month journey of mentoring, training, and business development.
Organised by SocialTech Lab – EIT Food Country Representative Cyprus, member of the EIT Community Hub Cyprus – the opening event took place at the Atsas Training Center and introduced participants to the EWA Grow journey through mentor matchmaking, experiential learning, and practical business development workshops. Highlights included an inspiring session by Phrosso Hadjilucas and the Atsas Training Center team on women leadership and sustainable agrifood entrepreneurship, a hands-on rosemary distillation workshop, and interactive sessions on the Business Model Canvas and Opportunity Assessment & Market Strategy, laying the foundations for the six-month programme ahead.
“EWA Grow equips women entrepreneurs with the mentorship, knowledge, and connections needed to transform innovative agrifood ideas into sustainable businesses. We are excited to support this year’s cohort as they contribute to a more resilient and sustainable food system.”
— SocialTech Lab Team
The EWA Grow 2026 cohort
Following a competitive evaluation process, ten women-led ventures were selected to participate in this year’s EWA Grow Programme. The cohort reflects the diversity and innovation of Cyprus’ emerging agrifood ecosystem, bringing together entrepreneurs working across sustainable agriculture, circular economy solutions, food innovation, regenerative tourism, fermentation technologies, and digital traceability.
The selected participants are developing innovative solutions in the following areas:
Agri-tech & Smart Food Systems
BeeVia is developing an AI-powered precision beekeeping platform supporting smarter hive management and pollinator resilience. BioPass is building a digital product passport platform designed to improve transparency and traceability for PDO agrifood products, while F.O.R.S.E.T.I.X. (FiX) is developing a fermentation intelligence system helping food SMEs optimise production processes and product consistency.
Circular Economy & Waste Valorisation
Pit-to-Table converts olive mill waste into sustainable bio-composite materials for circular production systems. NEEMA Labs develops biodegradable agrifood films using prickly pear agricultural waste, while Glyko Giali Baking Mixes is introducing a circular baking mix concept reducing food waste through reusable packaging and pre-measured ingredients.
Regenerative Agriculture & Local Economies
Lupa Agrolab Experience is creating a regenerative agrifood and culinary experience model reconnecting communities with sustainable local food systems. RegenLoop is developing a regenerative tourism platform connecting local economies, agriculture, and ecosystem restoration.
Healthy Food Innovation & Fermentation
Mikro Ferments is a kombucha and fermented beverage venture focused on gut health and minimally processed nutrition, while Freeze-dried Fruit Snacks is developing healthy snack products that transform local fruit into nutrient-preserving freeze-dried alternatives.
The selected ventures reflect the growing momentum of women-led innovation in the agrifood sector in Cyprus and demonstrate strong potential to contribute to more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food systems.
Over the next six months, participants will receive weekly mentoring, expert-led training, networking opportunities, and access to EIT Food’s European innovation ecosystem before presenting their ventures at the programme’s final Demo Day.
EWA Grow is EIT Food’s flagship programme supporting women entrepreneurs with validated business ideas or early-stage startups across Europe through tailored mentoring, training, financial support, and access to Europe’s agrifood innovation ecosystem.
