Impact Hub Bucharest, in partnership with EIT Food, has opened applications for Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) – a program dedicated to women entrepreneurs and the agrifood projects they lead.

Empowering Women in Agrifood is an acceleration program developed by EIT Food, the world’s largest food innovation community. EIT Food is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.

10 women entrepreneurs from the agrifood sector will benefit from an intensive business growth and mentoring period, training sessions and ongoing support, access to an international community of industry experts, as well as the chance to win two prizes – a €10,000 grant and a €5,000 grant.

Applications are open from April 2 to May 23, 2025, and are aimed at women who either have a business idea or are leading an existing startup that is no more than three years old.

EIT Food is the largest food innovation initiative in Europe, built as a consortium of key players in the food industry – startups, research centers, and universities from across the continent. It is one of nine Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), an independent EU body established in 2008 to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in Europe. EIT Food’s mission is to “future-proof” the food system, by building an inclusive community that supports innovation at every stage of a business’s development.

EWA 2025

The acceleration program includes several key components designed specifically for women entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector. Over the course of six months, participants will have free access to interactive training sessions, delivered in a practical, hands-on format. In addition, they will gain access to an international platform dedicated to the program, offering valuable business resources and relevant insights into opportunities within the agrifood industry.

Participants will also receive personalized support from business experts through online one-on-one sessions, and will be guided by experienced entrepreneurs who help them grow their businesses both strategically and practically.

EWA offers participants the chance to take part in entrepreneurial events and networking sessions, alongside experts, mentors, and fellow women founders in agrifood. The active community, made up of over 100 mentors from across Europe, creates a valuable international environment for development and collaboration.

The program timeline includes the selection phase between May 26 and June 4, followed by a kickoff meeting and the official announcement of selected participants on June 4–5. A matchmaking event will take place on June 19, and between June and November 2025, participants will benefit from mentorship, training, and dedicated events. The program will conclude with the final event in November 2025.

Empowering Women in Agrifood 2025 is open exclusively to agrifood startups founded by women from across Romania. These companies must be no older than three years and must not have received more than €60,000 in public or private funding to date.