Food Solutions Systems Summit is a place where startups and scaleups can showcase their innovations by pitching on June 12th in Helsinki. Three panellists will give a plenary talk and select a winner to pitch at Y Science.
The Summit is part of the SSR /SSD Conference, which is organized in Helsinki from June 10th to 14th. The pitching event is part of the conference's open day program.
Free Admission and Registration:
Entry to the pitching event is free of charge, offering you an unparalleled opportunity to be inspired and informed by the latest innovations in agri-food sustainability. Register now to secure your seat and be part of this transformative event!
In the first part of the event, immerse yourself in the excitement of startup pitches, each presenting a unique solution to today's food challenges. In the second half, gain insights from plenary talks delivered by our panel of jurors. Delve into discussions on sustainable food systems investment, systemic investing, and startup acceleration, led by some of the brightest minds in the industry.
@University of Helsinki Main Building (Auditorium)
Fabianinkatu 33, 2nd Floor
12:30-13:00 Registration
13:00-13:10 Opening Words
13:10-14:30 Pitching Competition
14:30-15:00 Break
15:00-16:00 Plenary Talks & Presenting the winners to pitch on YScience
Be captivated as international startups/scaleups take the spotlight, showcasing their game-changing solutions to revolutionize our food system. From upcycled ingredients to sustainable farming technologies, these innovators are shaping the future of food right before your eyes. These select few will secure a prestigious place to pitch on the stage of YScience @Slush in November 2024.
The panel of jurors selecting the 4 winning teams includes high-level experts in sustainable food systems investment, systemic investing, and food systems startup acceleration. The panellists are:
Sharon Cittone - "A Unified Front: Collaborative Systems for Sustainable Food Futures"
Sharon is a prominent figure in the global food and agricultural technology ecosystem, recognized for her influential contributions. Leveraging her extensive background in communications and business, she has dedicated over a decade to building connections and fostering collaboration across various sectors. In 2021, Sharon founded Edible Planet Ventures to address pressing challenges in the food system. Her impact extends beyond entrepreneurship, as she actively engages in roles such as hosting the FoodTech Junkies Podcast and serving on industry boards. Sharon's journey exemplifies innovation, leadership, and a steadfast commitment to transforming the global food system for the better.
André Ticloulet - “Designing for Systems Transformation"
Andre Ticoulat is at the forefront of an innovative food system prototype at the TransCap Initiative, where he is designing a systemic funding architecture to support the transition to regenerative agriculture in the Midwest region of the United States. With a robust background in economics and sustainable development, Andre holds a BA in Economics and International Relations from the University of British Columbia and certificates in Circular Economy and Bio-Economy from Delft and Wageningen Universities. His past experiences as an investment advisor, public equities trader, and venture capitalist have provided him with profound insights into the strategic use of various capital sources to drive impactful changes. Passionate about creating a more equitable and sustainable world, Andre applies his expertise to drive significant behavioural and systemic changes in global food systems.
Mirek Raba - "EIT Food - innovating the food system together"
Mirek Raba, Key Account Manager at EIT Food, brings extensive experience in international business, innovation, supply chain management, public funding, and startup support. Throughout his career, he has championed strategic supply chain innovation projects, focusing on growth and technology adoption for SMEs. He has held a variety of significant roles, including managing supply chains across Europe and representing Poland at the European level on the Public Authority Board and the Governing Board of the Key Digital Technologies Joint Undertaking. Additionally, he has been involved in delivering startup support programs on a European scale with EIT Food.
Entry to the pitching event is free of charge, offering you an unparalleled opportunity to be inspired and informed by the latest systemic innovations in agri-food sustainability.
We have designed exclusive activities for the participating startups/scaleups.
June 11th
Helsinki Partners is organizing a round tour of the Helsinki agrifood tech ecosystem, including Matchmaking with ecosystem players and introductions to business support providers
We will also visit Synbio Powerlabs' facilities. The company is on a mission to catalyze the DNA economy by filling a critical industry gap. It enables the development of disruptive biotechnologies, offering everything from lab-scale experiments to large-scale pilot runs.
Dinner for all the startups/scaleups that have been invited to the Summit.
June 12th
We are organizing a Workshop on sustainable business modelling on June 12th (from 9 to 12). The goal is to help develop future-fit frameworks and provide training by professional business developer Xenia Duffy. The workshop is open to interested participants. Spots are limited so secure your place by registering for the workshop from here.
The pitching event takes place from 13 to 16 @University of Helsinki Main Building auditorium.
After the pitching event, there is a chance to Network.