This course is designed for aspiring innovators ready to tackle critical challenges in the food system while exploring the dynamic world of entrepreneurship. Join a diverse group of students from the University of Helsinki and other European universities on this journey.
Running from March to November, this course brings students together in multidisciplinary teams to develop impactful product concepts and business plans. Participants will benefit from insightful lectures delivered by esteemed university faculty and EIT experts. The experience culminates in an international final gala, held in a different location each year.
EIT Food empowers students with valuable lectures and extensive networking opportunities on an international scale. Topics covered include essential business development strategies and personalized mentoring sessions.
The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry enhances this experience with in-person teaching, facilities for product development, and academic credits (FOOD-607, 10–15 ECTS) for those who complete the course. Industry partners actively engage in collaborative sessions, mentoring student teams throughout their journey.
This year, the University of Helsinki is proud to participate in two compelling challenge themes:
Spearheaded by Aarhus University, this challenge addresses the pressing issue of food waste, aiming to reduce it from purchase to disposal, emphasizing zero-waste practices contributing to a more sustainable food ecosystem.
The final gala for this track will be hosted in Rome.
Led by Swiss Food Research, this challenge focuses on revolutionizing plant-based proteins. Plant-based proteins are often sustainable but lack essential amino acids. Instead of imitating animal products, create a plant-based food with a complete amino-acid profile to redefine the future of food.
The final gala for this track will take place in Brussels.
In November, the course culminates in an exciting final gala, held in Rome and Brussels this year. EIT will generously cover travel and accommodation costs for participating students. During the gala, teams will present their innovative solutions, with prizes awarded to the top competitors:
The University of Helsinki’s teams have excelled in recent years, securing second and third place in 2023 and earning a joint first-place prize along with a second-place prize in 2024.
Given the intensive nature of this course, we invite enthusiastic students to attend an information session where we will provide comprehensive details. In this session, we will explore the course structure, activities, challenges, and share firsthand accounts from two past participants about their experiences.
Get the link to the Zoom info session on March 4, 2025 at 15:00–16:00 by registering with this form:
There are only limited spots for this course. To apply, please fill in the application form at the link below. Your application should include a casual motivation letter (max. 1 page) outlining your motivations for the course, your area of interest, and your background.
The application deadline is March 18th.
For further information, feel free to contact:
Isa Stucki (project coordinator): isa.stucki@helsinki.fi
Professor Mari Sandell: mari.sandell@helsinki.fi