The Foundation for Management and industrial research awarded €10,000 and €5,000 within EWA Macedonia 2025 – Financial support from EIT Food for women innovators in the agrifood sector
On 20 November 2025, the Foundation for Management and industrial research organized EWA Macedonia 2025: Pitching and Demo Day for Women Innovators in the Agrifood Sector. This event marked the conclusion of the six-month programme for women entrepreneurs, who throughout the programme received support to develop their agrifood innovations.
The EWA (Empowering Women in Agrifood) programme, supported by EIT Food, was implemented by the Foundation for Management and industrial research with the aim of encouraging women with ideas in the agrifood sector and providing them with training, mentorship, and financial support.
Each participant presented her project through an individual pitch, sharing her innovative idea before a jury composed of experienced innovators and investors, as well as the audience. Simona Vasileva Petrova was announced as the winner and received a €10,000 financial award, granted within the EWA programme. Her idea stood out for its high potential for sustainability and innovation. AMBROSIAA offers a production facility that will produce semi-finished products for the HoReCa sector and for broad consumption, using as raw materials secondary products (by-products) from other production facilities and second-grade agricultural products that cannot be sold fresh.
Additionally, Nadica Desanova won the second prize of €5,000, also provided through EWA, thanks to the clear vision and innovative concept of her solution. MIMIC TECH develops innovative bioplastics based on kombucha as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic. The material is biodegradable, non-toxic, and produced from renewable sources. The goal is to replace single-use industrial packaging plastics with eco-friendly solutions. These financial awards reflect the essential support that the EWA programme offers: not only training and mentorship, but also concrete, direct support that can turn ideas into real, market-oriented start-ups.
At the event, addresses were given by Gabriela Kostovska Bogoeska, Executive Director of the Foundation for Management and industrial research and National Coordinator of the EWA programme, and Daniela Dimovska, Director of the Agency for Innovation, Scientific-Technological Development and Entrepreneurship – INOVA.
Additionally, the attendees were addressed by Dr. Žarko Kostić, personal development coach, who opened the programme with his talk “Not every step is perfect — but every step counts”, reminding everyone that growth and success come from every attempt and persistent effort. As part of the programme, an inspirational lecture was also held by Dr. Marija Gjosheva – Kovachevic from the Agricultural Institute – Skopje, on the topic “The future of the agrifood sector.”
Besides the participants, the event gathered mentors who worked with their mentees over the past six months, investors, institutional representatives, experts from the innovation ecosystem, and other relevant stakeholders — creating an excellent opportunity for networking and strengthening partnerships. The programme contributes not only to the development of entrepreneurial ideas, but also to advancing gender equality in the agrifood sector, giving space for women’s leadership and influence.
The programme was officially closed with a speech by Emilija Andonova, Programme Director at the Foundation for Management and Industrial Research and Co-Coordinator of EWA Macedonia, who encouraged the participants to continue their entrepreneurial journey and emphasized the importance of supporting women in innovation.
As local implementers of the programme, the Foundation for Management and industrial research demonstrates a strong commitment to developing the innovative potential of women, building a sustainable business ecosystem, and increasing the impact of women entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector.
