Editor’s Notice: This publish was created in collaboration with and with monetary help from EIT Meals.
The Empowering Ladies in Agrifood (EWA) programme by EIT Meals offers an unparalleled platform for feminine entrepreneurs to drive innovation in making a sustainable meals system. Supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Expertise (EIT), a physique of the European Union, this initiative champions ladies in agriculture by equipping them with the instruments, expertise, and networks wanted to succeed. Ladies’s contributions to sustainable meals methods and rural communities are invaluable, but usually missed, and this programme seeks to bridge that hole by fostering management, confidence, and enterprise acumen amongst individuals.
The 2024 version of the EWA programme marked its fifth profitable 12 months, participating 120 feminine entrepreneurs from 12 international locations, together with Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and Ukraine. Over the course of six months, individuals benefited from a complete suite of mentoring, enterprise teaching, and networking alternatives, alongside specialised coaching supplied in native languages. Remarkably, the initiative has led to the creation of 35 startups and the elevating of €13 million in funding, demonstrating its transformative impression on the sector.
As a part of this collection, we are going to characteristic interviews with three exceptional winners from the 2024 EWA programme. Every interview will provide a singular glimpse into the methods this programme empowers ladies to drive significant change within the agri-food sector. Let’s get proper into it!
Interview with Yulia Logvinovska, Co-founder at LUCA
We’re thrilled to share our interview with Yulia, the founding father of LUCA and one of many individuals and winners of the 2024 EWA programme! Yulia’s modern vertical farming undertaking focuses on offering recent, high-quality greens whereas prioritising sustainability and concrete agriculture. On this interview, we’ll delve into her entrepreneurial journey, the creation of LUCA, and the position the EWA programme performed in her progress.
Are you able to begin by sharing the inspiration behind LUCA and the way your journey into vertical farming started?
LUCA began as an thought deeply rooted in my childhood recollections. I used to promote greens on the market in my residence metropolis with my grandparents, the place I realized the worth of recent produce and the arduous work behind it. Quick ahead to shifting to town, I noticed how disconnected city life can really feel from high quality, recent meals. That’s when the thought clicked—why not deliver farming into town? With Serhiy, my associate and the engineering genius behind LUCA, we mixed our expertise to create a farm that might match into city life and ship (for the start) greens which might be as recent as for those who picked them your self.
What motivated you to give attention to vertical farming, and the way do you consider this method contributes to a extra sustainable meals system?
We didn’t dive into vertical farming as a result of it was a development or a shiny new factor. We wished to create high-quality, recent merchandise, and after cautious evaluation, we realised that vertical farming was one of the simplest ways to realize that. Furthermore, it’s sustainable, it minimises using sources like water, and it permits us to develop year-round, even in city environments. What we discovered is that this method isn’t simply good for our farm; it’s additionally a better method to develop meals for the long run.
LUCA specialises in rising recent, high-quality salads and greens. Are you able to stroll us by means of your modern farming course of and clarify what units it aside?
We develop hydroponically, that means the vegetation get their vitamins from water, not soil. This permits us to manage each issue—mild, temperature, humidity—to create the right atmosphere for them to thrive. Consider it as a spa day for greens each single day. What actually units us aside, although, is our consideration to style. Our greens aren’t simply wholesome; they’re scrumptious. I firmly consider meals that’s good for you also needs to be a pleasure to eat.
What have been a few of the largest challenges you confronted in launching LUCA, and the way did you overcome them?
Oh, the place do I begin? Past the apparent monetary hurdles and operational hiccups, one of many largest difficulties is the character of the product itself. Greens are delicate—they don’t have an extended shelf life, and so much can go flawed within the rising course of. Plus, the conflict in Ukraine introduced an added layer of unpredictability, with energy outages, provide chain points and excessive dangers. However we simply preserve shifting ahead, adapting and studying as we go.
When did you first hear concerning the EWA programme, and what motivated you to take part?
I first heard about it whereas exploring alternatives for ladies entrepreneurs, and I assumed, “That’s what I want.” What actually grabbed me was the give attention to agriculture, which is such a selected sector. It’s not nearly common enterprise data—it’s about deep, specialised understanding. Plus, the mentorship over six months? That’s gold. I knew it could give me the additional help I wanted to scale LUCA and make it much more impactful.
How did the mentorship and coaching through the EWA programme affect your corporation technique for LUCA? What would you establish because the three most vital classes you realized?
The mentorship was invaluable. Since we launched the farm simply because the programme kicked off, we have been capable of form our technique whereas truly within the technique of constructing the enterprise. It was the right timing. Listed below are three key classes:
-
- Don’t underestimate the facility of a powerful community. It’s important to have the precise folks round you.
- Put money into creating a stable product moderately than flashy advertising. An awesome product will all the time communicate for itself.
- Startups are all about speculation testing. A very powerful factor is to not be afraid, to not intention for perfection, however to only begin and preserve going and doing.
Sustainability is on the core of LUCA’s mission. How do you guarantee your merchandise and practices align with this dedication to the atmosphere?
Vertical farming is the bridge between cities and sustainable meals methods. It permits city areas to provide recent meals regionally, lowering dependency on lengthy provide chains. And because the international inhabitants grows, we’ll want sensible options like this to feed extra folks with out exhausting our planet’s sources.
Lastly, what recommendation would you provide to different ladies entrepreneurs considering beginning their very own entrepreneurial journey?
Motion is a very powerful forex for any entrepreneur. Don’t be afraid to take steps, even when they appear small. Generally you may’t even think about how one little transfer can set off a series of occasions that results in one thing larger.
Celebrating success and looking out forward
The EWA programme continues demonstrating the facility of focused help for ladies entrepreneurs within the agri-food sector. Offering mentorship, networking, and hands-on coaching, this program permits individuals to deliver their modern concepts to life whereas fostering a extra inclusive and sustainable meals system. The success tales from the 2024 version spotlight the programme’s far-reaching impression, from securing funding to scaling companies and coming into new markets.
Keep tuned for our subsequent interview, the place we are going to highlight one other inspiring participant from the EWA programme. Every story underscores the transformative potential of empowering ladies in agrifood and reminds us of the essential position they play in shaping the way forward for sustainable meals methods.