The 4th TrophyΤροφή Meet-Up, organised by New Agriculture New Generation, concluded successfully on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, with a strong student turnout, active audience participation and coverage by local media. The event drew more than 100 participants and took place at the University of Thessaly’s Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology in Mezourlo, Larissa, under the theme “From the Field to the Food of Tomorrow”.
The event focused on how research and technology can help develop high-value products and create new opportunities for collaboration in the agrifood sector. We saw once again how production hubs across Greece, such as Larissa, can become places where new ideas for the sector take shape.
Opening remarks were delivered by Dimitris Tsetsilas, Deputy Regional Governor for the Primary Sector and Agricultural Economy of the Region of Thessaly, and Aikaterini Moutou, Professor and Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology at the University of Thessaly.
High-value agrifood products and new partnerships
The first panel explored how research can inform production and the development of functional agrifood products. The discussion featured Dimitris Kouretas, Regional Governor of Thessaly and Professor of Physiology and Toxicology, Fotis Tekos, CEO of FoodOxys, Kostas Spanoulis, President of the Thessalian Walnut Agricultural Cooperative “Karpologion”, Giannis Koukoutsis, President of the Platykampos Agricultural Cooperative, and Persefoni Giannouli, Associate Professor of Food Biochemistry and Technology. Journalist Giorgos Roustas moderated the panel.
Dimitris Kouretas highlighted the importance of scientific evidence in demonstrating the distinctive qualities of foods from Thessaly and creating greater value for producers. Fotis Tekos presented almonds from Sykourio as an example of how analysing a product’s nutritional composition can help it stand out. Kostas Spanoulis explained how the cooperative used the findings on the product’s packaging and in its efforts to reach new markets. Garlic from Platykampos provided another example of how research can inform cultivation practices.
The second panel focused on partnerships between research organisations, businesses, cooperatives and universities. The discussion featured Dimitris Vlachostergios, Director of the Institute of Industrial and Forage Crops and Research Director at ELGO-DIMITRA, Christina Chatzimichail, a chemical engineer at Chatzimichail & Co., Dimitris Ntogkoulis, agronomist and co-founder of Agrosymvouli, Nikolaos Gousios, President of the “Enipeas” Agricultural Cooperative of the Farsala District, and Alekos Papachatzis, Professor of Pomology and Chair of the Department of Agriculture and Agrotechnology at the University of Thessaly. Michalis Karagiannis, Capacity Building Manager at New Agriculture New Generation, moderated the panel.
Many ideas and two winning teams
Four teams formed during the event. By asking one another questions, they explored their ideas in greater depth. Following the final selection, two teams advanced to the next stage, where they will continue developing their ideas.
The Meet-Up was co-organised with the University of Thessaly and its Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, with support from the Citi Foundation through the BE FUTURE READY programme and from EIT Food’s GROW project.
The programme is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food and the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence.
What comes next for TrophyΤροφή 2026
The teams that advanced to the next phase of TrophyΤροφή 2026 will have the opportunity to receive specialised advisory support from the Hellenic Volunteer Managers Centre (KEMEL) and Deloitte to further develop their business proposals.
They will also be able to compete for the overall award at TrophyΤροφή – The Event, which will take place at the end of the year. The winning team will receive a prize worth €1,200, supported by the Citi Foundation through the BE Future Ready programme, to purchase products or services related to implementing its business idea.
In addition, with the support of Envolve Entrepreneurship, the winning team will gain direct access to the bootcamps of EnvolveXL, an accelerator programme for early-stage startups.
Find out more about the TrophyΤροφή 2026 programme.
