Empowering Women in Agrifood

‍Date
June to December 2025

‍Duration
6 months

‍Location
Online

‍Applicants Requirements
Closed. Applications for the 2026 edition open next April!

‍Language
Portuguese

‍Format
Hybrid but mainly Online

For more information, contact clara.pais@bgi.pt

Terms & Conditions: click here

Are you a woman entrepreneur located in Portugal with a business idea or venture in the agrifood sector?
This programme could be for you!

BGI team energetically celebrating at an event, with everyone jumping and smiling in a display of joy and camaraderie

Overview

Empowering women to drive innovation and transform the agrifood sector

‍Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) is a pioneering programme led by EIT Food, designed to empower women entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector with the skills, knowledge, and networks to transform their ideas into successful businesses.In 2025, the Portuguese edition is promoted by BGI Sustainable Ventures, bringing together 10 talented women (carefully selected) with innovative ideas to revolutionize the national agrifood landscape. This local edition benefits from the programme’s international reach, connecting participants with a global community of over 130 female entrepreneurs from 13 countries, providing unmatched networking and learning opportunities.Over six months, participants in Portugal receive intensive training, tailored mentoring, and exclusive networking opportunities, gaining the confidence and expertise to scale their ventures sustainably.

‍Regardless of background, age, or prior business experience, EWA Portugal welcomes women ready to make a real impact in the agrifood sector!

Why this programme?

Participating in the EWA programme offers numerous benefits, including:

• Access to tailored mentoring and training sessions designed to enhance entrepreneurial skills and business knowledge.

• Networking opportunities with industry experts, fellow entrepreneurs, and potential investors.

• Funding opportunities to support business growth and development.

• Exposure to a supportive community of like-minded women in the agrifood sector.

• Participation in pitching events and international showcases to showcase business ideas on a global stage.

• Guidance and support to navigate challenges and overcome obstacles in launching and scaling a successful agrifood business.

How Does it Work?

Online Training & Masterclasses

Embark on a 6-month journey of personalized online training, tailored to your specific needs in business and entrepreneurship. Gain access to a wealth of resources designed to enhance your skills and propel your business forward.

Mentorship & Ongoing support

Receive over 20 hours of personalized mentoring from experts in business, agrifood, and successful entrepreneurship. As a bonus, access the EIT Food Startup Guide, an invaluable resource offered to you completely free of charge.

Power of Community

Immerse yourself in a vibrant community of like-minded entrepreneurs. Participate in exclusive entrepreneurship and networking events alongside high-level stakeholders. With access to our EWA Community, connect with over 500 mentors and female entrepreneurs, tapping into a network that spans the entire agrifood ecosystem.

Financial Fuel

Unlock the potential for financial growth with EWA. Take advantage of funding opportunities with grants/prizes of €10,000 and €5,000 available. Gain access to EIT Food programmes, connect with investors, and build corporate partnerships to elevate your business to new heights.

What makes it unique?

• Sector specific: It’s the only one fully dedicated to agrifood systems.

• Pan-European exposure: Access to international networks while receiving hands-on, local support.

• Women-focused: Focus on women as entrepreneurs in a male-dominated sector.

• Truly accessible and inclusive: Also welcoming first-time founders.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Identify as a woman

• Have a business idea or venture in the agrifood sector

• Be located in Portugal

• If you already have a registered business, it must have been established no more than 3 years ago and must not have received public or private funding exceeding €60.000

‍For more information on the Programme’s Terms & Conditions please click here

Impact & Achievements:

• Entrepreneurs supported: Over 450 female entrepreneurs have benefited from the EWA programme.

• Funding awarded: €560,000 in prizes granted to best-in-class entrepreneurs.

• Investment attracted: More than €12M raised by participating entrepreneurs and startups.

• Satisfaction rate: Female participants rate their experience over 8/10.

Are you ready to shape the future of agrifood?

Meet the 2025 Portuguese edition’s EWA entrepreneurs

This year’s EWA cohort brings together ten innovative women working across diverse areas of the agrifood sector, from circular economy and biotechnology to digital tools and sustainable nutrition. Their ventures aim to reduce waste, improve food systems, and foster more conscious consumption.

Ana Pires

PackWAI

Is developing PackWAI, a digital solution designed to optimise the design of biodegradable food packaging. Her platform focuses on accessibility and usability, offering tailored support to small producers and packaging designers seeking to transition towards compostable alternatives and more sustainable materials.

Ítala Marx

VIDA

Joana Castro

PreTECHt

Is behind PreTECHt, a platform that uses artificial intelligence to monitor soil and plant microbiomes in real time. By providing early detection of imbalances and disease risks, the tool enables farmers to act preventively, enhancing soil health, crop quality and sustainability.

Viviana Ribeiro

AgriDerma

Is working on AgriDerma, a project that creates a dermal matrix from agrifood industry by-products. Her innovation offers a sustainable and ethical alternative for lab testing and biomedical research, reducing the need for animal-based materials and bridging agrifood with biotech.

Ana Vilas-Boas

BioUpCycle

Is developing BioUpCycle, a venture that upcycles food waste into biostimulants and culture media for agricultural and research use. Her solution supports regenerative farming and promotes the reuse of materials that would otherwise go to waste.

Paula Galvanini

MAI Fermentation House

Founded MAI Fermentation House, a platform that helps people reconnect with traditional food practices by producing fermented foods at home. Through hands-on workshops and DIY kits, she empowers consumers to care for their gut health while reducing reliance on industrial food systems.

Maria Antunes

Nula

Is building Nula, a digital platform to support households in reducing food waste. Her app offers grocery planning, inventory tracking and meal suggestions to help users make the most of what they have and shop more consciously.

Mariana Fortes

Pegada Distinta by Pluralgae

Runs Pegada Distinta by Pluralgae, a project that develops food and beverage products enriched with spirulina. Her work combines innovation in nutrition with low environmental impact, offering accessible, sustainable alternatives to conventional protein sources.

Inês Luís

Susplus

Is developing Susplus, a digital tool that enables agrifood companies to measure and report on their environmental impact. The platform aims to support companies in tracking emissions, water and resource use, helping them align with sustainability goals and regulatory frameworks.

Ana Cristina Vítor

BugPep

Leads BugPep, a project creating a functional feed additive for ruminants made from black soldier fly larvae. Her solution is designed to reduce methane emissions, support animal health and improve the sustainability of livestock production.

Testimonials from previous editions:

Débora Campos

Founder and CEO of AgroGrIN Tech and winner of the European Prize for Women Innovators.

‍"Being part of the EWA program led by BGI and EIT Food was a turning point in my journey as a woman entrepreneur in the agrifood sector. I already believed in the opportunity I was building with AgroGrIN Tech, but the program gave me the tools, strategic clarity, and a powerful support network to accelerate that vision. Surrounded by inspiring mentors and peers, I was able to refine my vision and turn challenges into real opportunities. More than anything, the experience reinforced my commitment to driving innovation in the food system - one that is sustainable, resilient, and truly inclusive - while encouraging more women to lead with purpose in science and entrepreneurship."

Ana Ferreira

Founder and CEO of Queijaria Ferreira da Estrela and winner of the 2024 edition of EWA.

‍"Being part of the EWA program was truly a turning point in my entrepreneurial journey. Over the course of six months, I was immersed in an extraordinary network of women and mentors who helped me grow as a leader and entrepreneur, and above all, inspired me every single day. I challenged myself both personally and professionally, and was able to reinforce the purpose behind creating this project: proving that it’s possible to innovate while staying true to authenticity. Winning the 2024 edition was an incredible recognition and a powerful incentive to keep moving forward with courage, innovation, and a strong commitment to the territory."

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate in EWA?

To be eligible to participate in Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA), individuals must meet the following criteria:

a. Identify as a woman,

b. Be a resident of, and for startup representatives, have a company registered in Albania, Estonia, Greece, Italy, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Türkiye or Ukraine, with excellent or native proficiency in the local language,

c. Have an interest in and a preliminary commitment to attending programme activities, trainings, and events,

d. If running a business, have the company registered for a maximum of 3 years,e. If there has been prior investment for the development of the idea, the total investment received should be less than 60,000 Euros.

How long is the EWA programme?

The EWA programme spans a duration of 6 months, starting from June and concluding in December. During this time, participants engage in a series of activities including mentoring, training sessions, and pitching events, culminating in a final international event in December.

What are the benefits of participating in EWA?

Participating in the Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) programme offers numerous benefits, including:

-Access to tailored mentoring and training sessions designed to enhance entrepreneurial skills and business knowledge.

-Networking opportunities with industry experts, fellow entrepreneurs, and potential investors.

-Potential funding opportunities to support business growth and development.

-Exposure to a supportive community of like-minded women in the agrifood sector.

-Participation in pitching events and international showcases to showcase business ideas on a global stage.

-Guidance and support to navigate challenges and overcome obstacles in launching and scaling a successful agrifood business.

How are participants selected for the programme?

The selection process for EWA programme participants involves evaluating applications by an external panel of evaluators and representatives from CLC NE and CLC South. Applications are assessed based on eligibility criteria and ranked on a 5-star scale across five key areas. For more details on the selection process, please refer to the full Terms and Conditions document on the Application Process Page.