EIT Food solutions masterclass 2025

The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Helsinki proudly offers students an opportunity to participate in the EIT Food Solution Masterclass, organized by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT Food).

The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Helsinki proudly offers students an opportunity to participate in the EIT Food Solution Masterclass, organized by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT Food).

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. 

Course format

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.

Course Content: Skills and activities

Throughout the Masterclass, participants create a complete business plan for a sustainable food-system innovation. They practice pitching their ideas in dedicated workshops and receive mentor coaching from industry and academic experts. The course includes hands-on prototype design and testing in food design facilities such as laboratory, as well as collaborative work in international, multidisciplinary teams.

 Students work directly with industry partners to refine their solutions and attend targeted lectures on entrepreneurship. After the course, some teams have continued developing their concepts into startups with the support of incubator programmes and other business development services. 

Previous challenges

2025  

  • Full Protein – Create plant-based products with a complete amino acid profile, not just substitutes for meat or dairy.
  • Circular Young – Reduce food waste from purchase to disposal through zero-waste strategies.

2024  

  • EcoBite Delights – Diversifying bakery and patisserie goods for a more inclusive food system.
  • ZeroWaste Design – Reducing food and packaging waste throughout the supply chain.  

2023

  • Develop Tastes – Innovating new product concepts that enhance taste.
  • Develop Healthy Food – Designing products that support healthier lifestyles.
  • Reinvent Specialities – Reinventing local food specialities with a circular economy approach.  

2022

  • Processing4Health – Crafting health‑promoting, shelf‑stable processed food products.
  • Reuse2Recreate – Developing new food product ideas using bakery and/or fruit side‑streams.
  • Reuse2Repack – Rethinking food packaging to support resource regeneration. 
Final gala

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 pitch their innovative solutions, with prizes awarded to the top competitors:  

  • 1st place: €1,500  
  • 2nd place: €1,000  
  • 3rd place: €500  
University of Helsinki’s Success in the EIT Food Solutions Masterclass

The University of Helsinki has achieved notable results in the EIT Food Solutions Masterclass in recent years.

  • 2023 – University of Helsinki teams took second and third place in the international finals.
  • 2024 – The success continued, with one Helsinki team sharing first place and another taking second place