The perfect match! Win-win for EIT Food Talent & our Partner Companies!
MFS Graduates & Students supported Start-ups, as Booth Assistants, at EIT Food’s flagship Event, NextBite, 15-16 October, Rome-Italy
A first tangible very successful initiative from EIT Food Talent, our Career Services demonstrating our role in employability and business impact!
EIT Food’s flagship event, Next Bite, was an unparalleled gathering bringing together the gamechangers in food systems transformation and the world’s leading food innovators, thought leaders and pioneers at an all-new not to be missed event in the agrifood industry.
Over 900 attendees gathered on 15-16 October in Rome, Italy.
“The Marketplace” area at the conference, was the space where you could interact and discover the entire EIT Food ecosystem. With a Startup Village of over 50+ booths showcasing the latest breakthroughs from food tech entrepreneurs
Source Photo : EIT Food, https://www.linkedin.com/posts/eit-food_alternativeproteins-nextbite24-improvingfoodtogether-activity-7252008555334000640-mkEr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
The Booth Assistants Initiative
EIT Food Talents launched an exciting new initiative for exhibitors at the Startup Village, connecting them with a pool of talented Master in Food Systems students and recent graduates.
Some of these students graduated just days before the Next Bite event, making this project an inspiring 2-day "on-the-job" experience.
A total of 27 Booth Assistants supported 27 of our startup companies, providing valuable insights into the entrepreneurial world and how startups present their products and services at major events or trade shows.
For the startups, this initiative offers a fantastic opportunity to tap into the skills of our alumni, as well as access to potential candidates for hiring or internships.
In this way, EIT Food Talents positions itself as a trusted partner for addressing resource challenges within our ecosystem.
In the lead-up to the event, exhibitors had the opportunity to participate in a matchmaking exercise, allowing them to select the most suitable profiles amongst the students & graduates.
The selected Booth Assistants received comprehensive briefings from the participating companies, covering their history, products and services, target markets, and goals for participating in Next Bite.
Following the event, both the Booth Assistants and the companies had the opportunity to explore extended collaborations, whether through lead follow-up, market research, business development advisory, or other potential opportunities that emerged during their collaboration.
EIT Food provided the Booth Assistants at no cost to the startups, covering their travel, accommodation and meals. The initiative has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with LinkedIn abuzz with glowing reviews from both startups and graduates alike!
Source Photo: Hemang Audichya, https://www.linkedin.com/posts/hemang-audichya_nextbite24-futureoffood-sustainablefoodsystems-activity-7253450460085293056-8OiK?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
“Connecting EIT Food startups with EIT Food Talent at NextBite enhances the overall value of the EIT Food ecosystem. This collaboration not only strengthens relationships within the community but also provides compelling reasons for everyone involved to actively participate. By fostering these connections, we create a vibrant network that benefits startups, students, and the broader food industry alike, making it an even more rewarding community to be part of.”
The Value for our Alumni & current MFS Students
- Hands-On Experience: Gain invaluable, real-world experience by representing leading companies in a dynamic event/trade show environment.
- Pitching Competencies: Hone your pitching skills while building and reinforcing your self-confidence through direct interactions with attendees.
- Evangelizing Expertise: Master the art of elevator pitches, effectively communicating the companies’ value propositions to diverse audiences.
- Networking Opportunities: Broaden your professional network, connecting with industry leaders, potential employers, and fellow graduates.
- Visibility and Exposure: Enhance your visibility among industry stakeholders, opening doors to potential job opportunities and market insights.
- CV Enrichment: Add impactful experiences to your resume, showcasing your proactive approach and adaptability in professional settings.
- Increased Employability: Stand out in the competitive job market with unique experiences that demonstrate initiative and skill.
- Industry Insights: Gain firsthand knowledge of industry trends, challenges, and the operational dynamics of large events or trade shows.
- Social Media Recognition: Boost your online presence and credibility through posts and mentions that highlight your role in the event.
- Career Path Exploration: Discover your preferred career paths and roles, whether at the forefront of events or behind the scenes in other functions.
The enthusiasm of our graduates is truly inspiring, validating the impact of our Career Services and highlighting a significant market need. A heartfelt thank you to all participating graduates for embracing this challenge!
Congratulations and thank you to : Alberto Ghiotto, Pawan Kumar Shakya, Aaqifa Shaikh, Mariam Matcharashvili, Giovanna Serena Monghini, Laura Bolognesi, Alessia Tempesta, Anna Maria Jana Schraeer, Yue Jiang, Christiana Chinomso Idam, Miranda Mamie Kitcher, Yixuan Chen, Ganesh Reddy Venuthurla, Sreeedevi Nallithodi, Helen Chidinma Chukwu, Aswin Cheruvambra, Wanyu Du, Hemang Audichya, Zhirui, Anna Cavallaro, Angeera Bhattacharyya, Keang Zhang, Rishinathan Swaminathan Thirukumaran, Sara Brockhuis, Nived Rajasekharan Nair and Amaarah Modan.
Source Photo: various LinkedIn posts from the Booth Assistants mentioned above
“Incredibly inspired by my experience at Next Bite 2024 in Rome, Italy.A special shoutout to EIT Food and the EIT Food Education MFS Program for giving me the opportunity to be part of this transformative event. I had the amazing privilege of volunteering with FUNKI Foods, an Estonia-based mycoprotein company that’s leading the way in developing environmentally friendly, high-protein products. Under the inspiring leadership of Sirli Rosenvald and Ruth Pérez Gallego, I saw firsthand how Funki is harnessing the power of fungi to create delicious, sustainable alternatives that could reshape the future of food! ”
“A big well done and thanks to the Inspectle Food team, Kaspar Mooses and Adrian Mędrzycki for promoting the automation of food safety inspection via innovative software tools that drives transition in the food system. It was great to assist in communicating your values and services to potential partners and customers, this was an eye opener for me as it helped me understand the opportunities and challenges in development of an innovative idea. ”
The Value for our Partner Companies
- Resource Optimization: Address internal resource challenges by utilizing enthusiastic, well-prepared graduates to represent your company at events or trade shows.
- Operational Flexibility: Alleviate the dilemma of employee availability, allowing your core team to focus on daily operations, conference session attendance or discussions with valuable potential (new) customers - while graduates handle booth responsibilities.
- Trained Support: Access a pool of well-trained, qualified graduates who quickly grasp your company’s values, products, and services and have subject matter expertise.
- Cost Efficiency: Save on the time and expense typically associated with training external representatives, as graduates come equipped with essential skills.
- Reputation Management: Mitigate risks associated with negative impressions by ensuring knowledgeable representatives reflect your brand’s professionalism.
- Enhanced Visibility: Maintain a strong presence at events or trade shows, even when internal resources are stretched, ensuring you connect with potential clients and partners.
- Innovative Perspectives: Benefit from fresh ideas and insights that graduates bring, helping to invigorate your company’s approach to engagement.
- Community Engagement: Foster a sense of community by collaborating with local universities, reinforcing your commitment to supporting the next generation of talent.
- Talent Pipeline Development: Identify and nurture potential future employees who align with your company culture and values through direct interaction.
- Mutual Growth Opportunities: Engage in a symbiotic relationship that not only benefits your company but also invests in the development of emerging talent.
Together, we create a vibrant ecosystem where graduates thrive and partner companies gain essential support. Thank you for joining us in this exciting journey!
Thank you to the participating Start-ups : MyEasyFarm, Smart Farm Robotix Ltd., Revo Foods, akabi Agritech, Circular Fiber SRL, Foreverland Food, MarinaTex, Esencia Foods, Elaniti, ODS PROTEIN, FeJuice, Biopols, Carbone Farmers, Yeastime, Inspectle Food, Kokomodo, AgroGrIN Tech (Molecule Message Lda), Funki Foods, Farmhood (Legal name: Arslan Farm Gıda San. Tic. Ltd. Sti.), Upstream Foods, Terroir from Space, Gran Moar, Agrain by Circular Food Technology, Typcal, Pack2Earth, NoPalm Ingredients
Source Photo : EIT Food, various LinkedIn posts from the Booth Assistants mentioned above
“This is an ideal solution for when we can't be at your booth continuously, whether we're attending sessions or having important discussions with visitors. With a constant presence at our booth, we can engage with valuable guests. Meeting this fresh talent from EIT Food is a fantastic opportunity to connect with potential candidates, and we might even consider extending our collaboration into internships or entry-level positions. These students bring a strong understanding of the food system and possess entrepreneurial skills.”
Interested in tapping into these invaluable sources available?
Freshly graduated bright minds are at your disposal to strengthen your teams!
Please contact Marloes Wichink Kruit, Consultant Talent Development and Engagement at EIT Food for more information, via email: careerservices@eitfood.com.