Unleashing Innovation: Ten Badass Women Transform Romanian Agrifood Industry
Ten businesswomen chosen for agrifood accelerator program in Romania's European sector
Get the lowdown on these ten remarkable women shaping the future of agriculture in Romania! From urban farming to plant-based goodies, they're reaching new heights thanks to the 2025 Empowering Women in Agrifood(EWA) accelerator program. Dive in to learn about their groundbreaking ideas and the adventures they're embarking on!
This year, Impact Hub Bucharest and EIT Food partnered up to offer a support system like no other to ten fearless female entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector. The program offers mentorship, training, networking, and a couple of grants worth €10,000 and €5,000 to early-stage businesses with inspiring visions[1].
These women are nothing short of breathtaking. From AI-powered gardening solutions to underground greenhouses and plant-based drinks, these ten women represent a diverse range of innovations aiming to revolutionize the agricultural world[1].
Without further ado, meet your new heroes:
- Anda Luca: Transforming urban gardens with AI. Grab a shovel and dig into her permaculture-based landscape gardens featuring edible and medicinal plants, all while saving the planet one sustainable solution at a time[1].
- Cristina Jar: The queen of organic farming. Her decision-making ecosystem combines soil data, sensors, artificial intelligence, and a hint of tech, taking farming to the next level[1].
- Ioana Mihai: Reimagining colivă, a traditional Romanian dessert, as a luxurious premium treat infused with tasty twists like pistachio, chocolate, and mango[1].
- Irina Brinovanu: Whip up a plant-based drink made from organic buckwheat, ditching the dairy for something that looks as good as it tastes[1].
- Mădălina Elena Borsău: A gifted inventor, she's launching a low-glycemic, pea-based healthy spread, ridding the world of unhealthy, processed foods[1].
- Miruna-Elena Iliescu: With a passion for sustainability, she's building a vibrant urban farm that churns out fresh produce between apartment blocks, keeping city dwellers well-fed[1].
- Miruna Șefan: By connecting the dots from wholegrain crops to healthy snacks, she's bringing sustainable snack options to everyone, minus the sugar and additives[1].
- Nona Rotariu: Making miracles happen underground with her greenhouses that grow fresh veggies year-round with minimal energy and zero emissions[1].
- Ruxanda Florentina: Taste the farm-to-table life as she brings traditional dishes to life, fueled by her very own organic garden[1].
- Thea Gherdan: She's using advanced tech like AI-powered autonomous vehicles and bio-printed SCION capsules to promote reforestation and sustainable farming[1].
Over the next six months, these ten trailblazers will participate in interactive business workshops, receive individual mentoring from experienced veterans, and join a European network boasting more than 100 mentors[1].
Key events like the matchmaking session on June 19th and the final Demo Day on November 19th will give participants the chance to showcase their progress and compete for the two cash prizes[1].
Oana Craioveanu, the CEO and co-founder of Impact Hub Bucharest, expressed her excitement about the selected entrepreneurs, highlighting their shared focus on sustainable practices and their transformative impact on agriculture[1].
Since its inception, the EWA program has supported 30 female entrepreneurs and awarded €45,000 in funding[1]. Previous winners like Tania Nicoară of Unison, a producer of vegan granola and spreads, and Mihaela Șipoș of Happy Treats, a pioneer in creating eco-friendly dog treats and organic fertilizers, are setting the bar high for this year's participants[1].
Stay tuned for updates on the women's journeys as they work tirelessly to make a difference in the agrifood industry!
[1] Information derived from the base article.
- As technology intertwines with agriculture, Cristina Jar's decision-making ecosystem that combines soil data, sensors, artificial intelligence, and technology is set to revolutionize farming.
- In the realm of lifestyle, Miruna Șefan's emphasis on sustainable snack options, minus sugar and additives, promotes a healthy and eco-friendly approach to sports nutrition.
