What does the future of food look like? More sustainable agriculture, cleaner products, less waste, local producers with access to new markets, and solutions that make healthy eating easier in everyday life. These were the kinds of ideas presented by the ten finalists in the EWA GROW: Empowering Women in Agrifood Bulgaria 2026 programme during a matchmaking event held on 19 June 2026 in Varna. For the fourth year, the Regional Agency for Entrepreneurship and Innovations – Varna (RAPIV) is partnering with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s Food Knowledge and Innovation Community (EIT Food) to implement the EWA GROW: Empowering Women in Agrifood programme in Bulgaria. The initiative is aimed at women with business ideas or entrepreneurial projects in the agrifood sector who are ready to take the next step in their development. Over the course of six months, participants will receive individual mentoring, practical knowledge, new professional contacts, and the opportunity to develop their ideas in a community of people who understand the challenges of doing business. The event was opened by Ralitsa Zhekova, Executive Director of RAPIV, who presented RAPIV’s activities, the programme, and the opportunities it offers to the finalists.

Roberta Ivanova is developing Immunodetox – a range of functional products made with honey, herbs, and superfoods, combining traditional beekeeping with modern knowledge of nutrition and maintaining a healthy balance in the body.
Through My Farm – Avren, Ivelina Marinova is developing a sustainable family farm model based on ecological and biodynamic practices. The project focuses on restoring soil health, preserving local varieties, and providing clean, seasonal food.
Maria Koleva presented Super Simple Smoothie – freeze-dried smoothie blends in convenient single-serving sachets. They offer a quick and easy way to prepare a nutritious drink made from fruits, vegetables, and superfoods – at home, in the office, or on the go.

Fatmegyul Mustan is developing Berries – a regenerative blueberry farm that, in addition to fresh fruit, produces clean-label functional foods. The project uses biodegradable packaging and explores opportunities to make use of by-products while generating minimal waste. Who can help an idea go further? The matchmaking event brought together 12 mentors with diverse professional backgrounds – from agribusiness, food technology, and sustainable production to marketing, investment, European funding, and start-up development.
The mentors joining the programme are: Dr Viktoria Marinova-Nikolova, Director of the Regional Information Centre – Varna; Assoc. Prof. Dr Georgi Toskov and Assoc. Prof. Dr Rada Dinkova-Hadzhiyska from the University of Food Technologies – Plovdiv; Assoc. Prof. Dr Gergana Slavova, Dr Damyan Kirechev, Dr Pavlina Ivanova, and Dr Radmil Nikolov from the University of Economics – Varna; Dilyan Popov, entrepreneur, investor, and representative of Smart Varna and the Bulgarian Angels Club – Varna; Ilona Staneva, marketing and brand development expert; Maria Hristova, expert in European agricultural policies and agrifood innovation; Todorka Atanasova, Director of the Agency for Economic Development – Varna; and Hristomir Hristov, entrepreneur, start-up mentor and founder of RapidMVP, and Board Member of the Bulgarian Angels Club – Varna.
Their expertise covers key areas in the development of an agrifood business – from product development and improvement, production, and sustainability to business models, access to finance, marketing, sales, partnerships, and expansion into new markets. During the event, the finalists had the opportunity to speak individually with the mentors, briefly present their projects, and identify who best understands the direction in which they want to develop. Each participant will then select a mentor to work with individually over the coming months.
What comes next? In the coming months, the programme will continue with training sessions on various topics related to business idea development, market entry, sustainability, communication, and entrepreneurial skills. At the same time, the finalists will work closely with their mentors, test their ideas, explore stronger solutions, and turn their initial concepts into clearer and more compelling business projects.
In September, they will take part in a Masterclass designed to prepare them for the programme’s grand finale – the Demo Day competition.
On 7 November 2026, the ten participants will present to a jury and audience in Varna how they have developed their projects during EWA GROW Bulgaria 2026. At the end of the event, two finalists will receive the programme’s top prizes – €10,000 for first place and €5,000 for second place.
The greatest value of the programme lies precisely in this process of learning, networking, and consistent work – an approach captured in the following message:
“Every connection we make, every training we take part in, and the time we invest in ourselves today are investments in the future. The results may not be visible immediately, but a few years from now, these very efforts may turn into opportunities. It is up to us to make the most of the present moment to build our next step.”
Maria Hristova, Mentor in EWA GROW Bulgaria 2026
About EIT Food
EIT Food is a Knowledge and Innovation Community supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. It works to build a more sustainable, healthy, and trusted food system by supporting entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, and companies across the agrifood sector.