FOOD
SYSTEMS
PITCHING
COMPETITION
Viikki Food Design Factory
Germinator Programme
+
Food Systems Pitching Competition @ Y Science 2023
​
Viikki Food Design Factory’s Germinator programme is for innovators
with Food System transforming solutions.
​
Check here for more information on the Viikki Food Design Factory Germinator programme
The program participants have access to:
-
Coaching by dedicated food innovation professionals with expansive experience of the industry
-
Laboratory experimentation and testing facilities at the Viikki campus
-
Food & agri networks
-
The chance to pitch their idea during the Food Systems Pitching Competition at Y Science
The startup teams participating in the 2023-2024 season of the Germinator programme were selected through an entry pitching event on June 6, 2023.
​
At Y science, the Germinator teams get to pitch to the prestigious audience, meet possible investors, network with potential partners and experts in the fields of their solution, and also get a Slush ticket. The winner of the pitching competition will be granted 5,000 EUR to take their exciting idea further!
Timeline of the Germinator programme and Food Systems Pitching Competition @ Y Science
​April: Applications open
May 15: Applications close
June 6: Pitching for programme admission
August: Germinator programme and coaching starts
November 24, 12:00 - 13:00: Final meeting regarding the pitching competition
November 29, 15:30 - 18:30: Dress rehearsal of the competition
November 30: Food Systems pitching competition at Y Science
December 2023 – February 2024: Further concept development and prototyping
Jury for the selection of the 2023 finalists
-
Antti Isokangas, Team lead, Leipurin Oyj (sponsor-mentor representative)
-
Jari Karlsson, Chief Marketing Officer, Foodiq (sponsor-mentor representative)
-
Harri Latva-Mäenpää, CEO, Foodwest (sponsor-mentor representative)
-
Minja Miettinen, Director, Growth & Innovation, Verman (sponsor-mentor representative)
-
Saara Pöyry, SVP Technology and Product Development, Valio (sponsor-mentor representative)
-
Heli Töykkälä, New Business Manager, Raisio (sponsor-mentor representative)
-
Jouni Lounasmaa, Foundation & Startup Executive
-
Keith Bonnici, Investment Director, Tesi
-
Elena Inguglia, Business Developer Manager, Helsinki Innovation Services
-
Marko Berg, Deputy Chief Investment Officer, University of Helsinki
-
Silvia Gaiani, Senior Researcher in Innovation and Entrepreneurship towards Sustainable Food Systems,
Ruralia Institute, University of Helsinki -
Maija Tenkanen, professor, Bioproduction chemistry, University of Helsinki
-
Reetta Andolin (previously Kivelä), Chief Innovation Officer, Raisio Group
-
Laura Forsman, Manager, Viikki Food Design Factory