EWA Matchmaking 2025: Networking and presentation session of women-led innovation in the agrifood sector

On Friday, June 20, EWA Matchmaking 2025 took place at Public Room, an event organized as part of the Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) programme, supported by EIT Food and locally implemented by the Foundation for Management and Industrial Research.

This dynamic and inspiring gathering was fully dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs developing innovative ideas in the agrifood sector. The session aimed to establish meaningful connections between mentors and mentees – marking the starting point of a six-month mentoring journey focused on advancing sustainable and impactful business solutions.

The event opened with a welcome presentation by the MIR team, outlining the goals, structure, and participant expectations within the programme, as well as the role of mentors. Particular emphasis was placed on mentorship as a powerful tool for both personal and professional growth. Following the introduction, the participants had their first opportunity to present themselves to the mentors and the audience through short five-minute pitch presentations. They shared their business ideas, the inspiration behind them, and their vision for future development.

One of the event’s highlights was the interactive conversation between mentors and mentees, designed to foster mutual understanding, align goals, and define the next steps of the mentoring process. The session concluded with informal networking over a shared lunch, creating space for further exchange in a relaxed atmosphere.

These inspiring women are part of a carefully selected group who now have the opportunity to develop their innovations under the guidance of experienced mentors. They are a testament to the fact that entrepreneurship in the agrifood sector can—and should—be both gender-inclusive and innovation-driven.

The programme owes much of its strength to the dedication of the professionals involved as mentors. We proudly present the mentors who will work closely with the participants over the next six months:

Zvonko Pacanovski, Penka Mukaetova, Zagorka Blazhevska, Despina Popovska Stojanov, Dimitar Jovevski, Jana Klopchevska, Zaklina Golcheva, Igor Nikoloski, Predrag Stojkovski, and Sasho Velkovski. Their expertise in business development, innovation, marketing, management, and sustainability will be an invaluable asset for the growth of the mentees.

This session served as a key preparatory step towards the upcoming local Pitching Event, scheduled to take place later this year. There, the participants will present the final versions of their business ideas before an expert jury and a wider audience. The two most successful entrepreneurs will receive financial support to bring their ideas to life – with first and second prizes of €10,000 and €5,000 respectively.

The Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) programme supports women in developing their agrifood business ideas through more than just funding—it offers targeted training, mentoring, and networking opportunities. This initiative is designed to provide comprehensive support to early-stage women entrepreneurs, equipping them with the knowledge and connections needed to successfully launch and scale sustainable businesses in the agrifood space.

The Foundation for Management and Industrial Research is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting innovation, technology transfer, and gender equality in research and entrepreneurship. We are proud to be implementing the EWA programme in North Macedonia for the first time. Our work is driven by a mission to support both economic and societal growth through research and innovation. We partner with businesses to help them develop, innovate, and access global markets. We actively promote eco-innovation as a pathway to new business opportunities and contribute to building social cohesion as a foundation for sustainable economic development.