30.10-19.11.23

Inscience logo civitta logo Innov8 logo Radar logo Smart farming logo Kooperativ logo EU logo

Sapper robots and drones for harvesting vegetables, ultra-lightweight food packaging, and an artificial intelligence-powered farm – offer innovations that can significantly benefit Ukraine's agrifood sector during times of full-scale war.

Participate

Agrifood Lab is an innovation studio in the Ukrainian agricultural sector, offering workshops and a hackathon based on the design thinking method. This project is conducted by the INSCIENCE, CIVITTA, /nnov8, Radar Tech as part of the Challenge Labs in Ukraine by EIT Food, supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.

With Agrifood Lab, you can turn your innovative idea into a reality:

get advice from industry experts

build a strong team for your start-up

make the largest agricultural holdings and supermarket chains interested in your product

win cash prizes, opportunity to pitch your project, and mentoring support for project development

For whom

Both individual participants and ready-made teams can take part in the Agrifood Lab.

At the Agrifood Lab, we will help you find like-minded people and launch an innovative product together.

We are looking forward to your applications:

representatives of small and medium-sized businesses, start-up founders

farmers, agronomists, engineers

project and product managers, marketers

young scientists and PhD students

experts in the fields of food technology, nutrition, biotechnology, AI, marketing, business management, psychology and other fields that can create innovations in the agrifood sector.

Agrifood Lab timeline

Registration of participants
31 October – 15 November
Workshops and team building for the hackathon
18-19 November
Design thinking hackathon
19 November
Innovations pitching

Agrifood Lab challenges

Each team at the Agrifood Lab will solve a specific task by creating its own innovative product during the hackathon.

Innovations and sustainable solutions
for soil and water treatment

Toxic substances and shell fragments – every day of Russian aggression damages our land. There are areas where there are more than 2,000 sinkholes per 1 m². Innovative developments are needed to restore the health of soil and water resources. For example, new methods of removing toxins, developing crops that are resistant to pollution, accurate soil analysis kits for farmers, vertical farming, hydroponics, and other types of agriculture that allow the land to rest and regain its health.

Robots and process automation

In times of war, agricultural work primarily focuses on employee safety. Autopilot tractors operate in the fields, demining robots and georadars assist in clearing mines and surveying more than 2.5 million hectares of land. Drones monitor sowing and harvesting fruit, while sensors analyze soil indicators and activate irrigation systems. Precision farming enhances yields and productivity. Additionally, software solutions, including digital platforms and applications, can account for disruptions caused by war and optimize logistics..

Sustainable energy and energy efficiency

Ukraine has incurred over $8 billion in losses in its energy sector due to the ongoing war. In 2019, Ukraine ranked among the top ten most attractive countries for investment in the green economy. Today, more than 80% of the wind power capacity in the south has been seized or destroyed. To expedite the recovery process, Ukraine requires innovative solutions, including low-energy irrigation systems, equipment upgrades, alternative fertilizers, solar panels, wind turbines, biomass systems, as well as digital solutions and data analytics for energy management.

Food of the future

Nutritious food in lightweight, long-lasting packaging is the outcome of innovative solutions and a vital necessity during challenging times. Freeze-dried food, easily portable even in your pocket and quick to prepare, specialized dietary products catering to vegetarians and accommodating food allergies, and packaging designed to replace traditional cans – present your innovative developments. These food products and packaging, proudly made in Ukraine, hold the potential to become top exports worldwide.

Innovations and sustainable solutions
for soil and water treatment

Toxic substances and shell fragments – every day of Russian aggression damages our land. There are areas where there are more than 2,000 sinkholes per 1 m². Innovative developments are needed to restore the health of soil and water resources. For example, new methods of removing toxins, developing crops that are resistant to pollution, accurate soil analysis kits for farmers, vertical farming, hydroponics, and other types of agriculture that allow the land to rest and regain its health.

Robots and process automation

In times of war, agricultural work primarily focuses on employee safety. Autopilot tractors operate in the fields, demining robots and georadars assist in clearing mines and surveying more than 2.5 million hectares of land. Drones monitor sowing and harvesting fruit, while sensors analyze soil indicators and activate irrigation systems. Precision farming enhances yields and productivity. Additionally, software solutions, including digital platforms and applications, can account for disruptions caused by war and optimize logistics..

Sustainable energy and energy efficiency

Ukraine has incurred over $8 billion in losses in its energy sector due to the ongoing war. In 2019, Ukraine ranked among the top ten most attractive countries for investment in the green economy. Today, more than 80% of the wind power capacity in the south has been seized or destroyed. To expedite the recovery process, Ukraine requires innovative solutions, including low-energy irrigation systems, equipment upgrades, alternative fertilizers, solar panels, wind turbines, biomass systems, as well as digital solutions and data analytics for energy management.

Food of the future

Nutritious food in lightweight, long-lasting packaging is the outcome of innovative solutions and a vital necessity during challenging times. Freeze-dried food, easily portable even in your pocket and quick to prepare, specialized dietary products catering to vegetarians and accommodating food allergies, and packaging designed to replace traditional cans – present your innovative developments. These food products and packaging, proudly made in Ukraine, hold the potential to become top exports worldwide.

Do you have an idea that meets one of the challenges?
Hurry up and register as a team or on your own!

Registration

Workshops

Before the hackathon, all Agrifood Lab participants will engage in an educational intensive program of workshops led by top-level experts. You will have the opportunity to enhance your entrepreneurship and leadership skills, problem-solving and critical thinking abilities, and gain insights into technology management and science commercialization.

31 October

  • Trends in the agrifood industry in Ukraine and the world
  • What Challenge Labs is
  • Opportunities from EIT Food

2 November

  • Design thinking and idea generation methods
  • Entrepreneurship and innovation: how to create new solutions

7 November

  • How to pitch your idea
  • Funding opportunities for start-ups

Hackathon

Agrifood Lab Hackathon is a two-day event where teams will develop innovative solutions using the design thinking method. On 18-19 November, the following will be available to participants:

teamwork based on the Stanford School of Design Thinking model: empathy, problem identification, idea generation, prototyping and testing

networking, group tasks and idea generation sessions

presentation of your prototype projects

determining the winners

Experts and mentors

Iurii-Volodymyr Blavt
Iurii-Volodymyr Blavt

Partner at CIVITTA, co-founder of Challenger AI accelerator

Olena Skyrta
Olena Skyrta

Co-founder and partner at INSCIENCE and Science&Business Agency

Kateryna Akymenko
Kateryna Akymenko

Co-founder Yes&Design and Science&Business Agency

Sviatoslav Sviatnenko
Sviatoslav Sviatnenko

CEO and co-founder /nnov8

Oleksandr Akymenko
Oleksandr Akymenko

Director at MSc in Innovations and Entrepreneurship (UCU Business School), co-founder at Yes&Design

Maryna Romanova
Roman Zinchenko

Chairman of the Board at Greencubator

Віра Воєводіна
Vira Voievodina

EIT Food CLC North-East Representative, responsible for Ukrainian projects

Zayoma
Oleksandr Zayoma

Teacher of public speaking, speechwriter

Hanna Gustova
Hanna Gustova

Expert in Agri Food and Food Ecosystems Management with practical experience in such companies as Fozzy Group, MHP, TD "Kalynivka Premium"

Назар Малиняк
Nazar Malyniak

Managing Partner at SmartFarming

Валерій Яковенко
Valerii Iakovenko

Co-Founder and CEO of DroneUA

Iurii-Volodymyr Blavt
Iurii-Volodymyr Blavt

Partner at CIVITTA, co-founder of Challenger AI accelerator

Olena Skyrta
Olena Skyrta

Co-founder and partner at INSCIENCE and Science&Business Agency

Kateryna Akymenko
Kateryna Akymenko

Co-founder Yes&Design and Science&Business Agency

Sviatoslav Sviatnenko
Sviatoslav Sviatnenko

CEO and co-founder /nnov8

Oleksandr Akymenko
Oleksandr Akymenko

Director at MSc in Innovations and Entrepreneurship (UCU Business School), co-founder at Yes&Design

Maryna Romanova
Roman Zinchenko

Chairman of the Board at Greencubator

Віра Воєводіна
Vira Voievodina

EIT Food CLC North-East Representative, responsible for Ukrainian projects

Zayoma
Oleksandr Zayoma

Teacher of public speaking, speechwriter

Hanna Gustova
Hanna Gustova

Expert in Agri Food and Food Ecosystems Management with practical experience in such companies as Fozzy Group, MHP, TD "Kalynivka Premium"

Назар Малиняк
Nazar Malyniak

Managing Partner at SmartFarming

Валерій Яковенко
Valerii Iakovenko

Co-Founder and CEO of DroneUA

Organisers

An organization that promotes science and evidence-based medicine and increases their value for society, business, and the public through popular science projects.

A leading consulting company in Central and Eastern Europe that provides a full spectrum of management consulting services: strategy, innovation, funding, research, digital and implementation.

The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship was established to cultivate the technology ecosystem in Ukraine. It assists both aspiring and established entrepreneurs in creating and scaling start-ups and technology-based businesses.

Radar Tech is the first Ukrainian corporate accelerator. We develop corporate innovation by bringing together leading corporations and perspective.

EIT Food is the world’s largest and most dynamic food innovation community. We accelerate innovation to build a future-fit food system that produces healthy and sustainable food for all.

Partners

FAQs

Can I participate in the Agrifood Lab if I don't have a team?
Of course, we accept both individual and team applications. During the program, you'll have the opportunity to form a friendly team of professionals who share your interests and skills.
Can I attend the Agrifood Lab partially, for example, only workshops?
The Agrifood Lab is a study of innovations and a comprehensive programme consisting of workshops, a hackathon, and mentoring support. We invite the best experts, carefully select topics that are interesting and useful for participants, and prepare the entire Agrifood Lab programme with high quality. We encourage participation at all stages. This is how we can create powerful products, start-ups and sustainable innovative solutions. Participants' attendance at workshops will also be one of the selection criteria for the hackathon.
What are the selection criteria for participation in the Agrifood Lab Hackathon?
We will carefully consider each application from the participants. The key selection criteria will be: the existence of an idea and its relevance to the Agrifood Lab challenges, motivation of participants and their attendance at the programme's workshops.
How long does the Agrifood Lab take?
The workshops will be held in the evening over three days, totalling up to 8 hours. The hackathon will take place over two weekends, spanning 48 hours.
How many participants can be in one team?
One team can have from 3 to 6 participants.
What would we do in case of blackouts or air raids?
Workshops will be recorded, providing you with the opportunity to watch them later. If you encounter any difficulties joining or if there is an air raid in your region, please inform the coordinator via the chat. During the hackathon, the venue will be equipped with generators, and in the event of air raids, we will ask all participants to move to the shelter.
I represent a company that would like to join as a project partner.
Thank you for your interest, please send us an email info@agrifoodlab.com.ua, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
I represent the media, and I am interested in doing a piece on agricultural start-ups in Ukraine.
Please send us an email info@agrifoodlab.com.ua, and we will find the stories and characters you are interested in.