How can the agrifood sector contribute to the green economy, and what tools can support its transition towards a more sustainable future? These questions were at the heart of the second Trophy\u03a4\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03ae Meet-Up 2026<\/strong>, organised by New Agriculture New Generation<\/strong> on Wednesday, 7 October, at the Agricultural University of Athens<\/strong>, under the theme \u201cGreen Transition in Agrifood: Innovation and New Challenges\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Representatives of agrifood businesses, organisations supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, academics, students, researchers and startups came together to discuss the direct connection between the environment, the primary sector and food, as well as innovative solutions that can contribute to the green transition.<\/p>\n The event concluded successfully and was held with the support of EIT Food\u2019s GROW and the Citi Foundation, through the BE FUTURE READY programme, and was co-organised with the Agricultural University of Athens<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The programme took place in the Multipurpose Hall, on the 2nd floor of the Administration Building of the Agricultural University of Athens, from 17:00 to 20:30. The event opened with welcoming remarks, followed by a presentation of Trophy\u03a4\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03ae 2026 and the day\u2019s programme.<\/p>\n Through two panel discussions and an ideation workshop, the meeting connected dialogue on the green transition with the development of business proposals. The topics covered both the role of agrifood in the green economy and the contribution of innovation to shaping a more sustainable development model.<\/p>\n The first panel discussion, entitled \u201cAgrifood as a Driver for Strengthening the Green Economy\u201d<\/strong>, focused on the role of the agrifood sector in strengthening the green economy and on new approaches that can contribute to a more sustainable development model.<\/p>\n The panel featured:<\/p>\n The panel was moderated by Gianna Balafouti<\/strong>, Senior Editor Cantina & Food Product Development Mentor.<\/p>\n The discussion explored the green transition through its connection with business activity and the challenges facing the agrifood sector, focusing on the sector\u2019s contribution to a more sustainable economy.<\/p>\n The second panel, entitled \u201cInnovative Tools for the Green Transition and a Sustainable Future\u201d<\/strong>, shifted the discussion to the role of innovation and new tools in shaping a greener and more sustainable agrifood sector.<\/p>\n The panel featured:<\/p>\n The second panel was moderated by Katerina Papadouli<\/strong>, Head of the Technology Transfer Office, Agricultural University of Athens.<\/p>\n With representatives from academia and the business community taking part, the panel brought scientific knowledge, technological solutions and the needs of the agrifood sector into the same discussion.<\/p>\n Following the panels and the discussion with the audience, the programme continued with an ideation workshop<\/strong>. Participants worked practically on the themes and challenges highlighted during the event, moving the discussion towards the development of proposals.<\/p>\n The Trophy\u03a4\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03ae Meet-Up concluded with presentations of the ideas developed during the workshop, connecting knowledge and the exchange of experiences with the creative development of solutions for the agrifood sector.<\/p>\n Participation was free of charge, subject to registration, and provision had been made for certificates of attendance to be issued as part of the event.<\/p>\n The message \u201cBring your idea and let\u2019s develop it together!\u201d<\/strong> sums up the direction of Trophy\u03a4\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03ae: to create space for new ideas and support their development into promising business proposals.<\/p>\n Trophy\u03a4\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03ae mobilises the agrifood innovation ecosystem and is aimed at students, researchers, farmers, agrifood professionals, startup founders and team members, teams and startups developing or wishing to develop innovative products, services and technological solutions in the fields of agritech, food technology and agrologistics.<\/p>\n One winning team is selected at each Trophy\u03a4\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03ae Meet-Up 2026 and receives advisory support from KEMEL<\/strong> to further strengthen and develop its business proposal. The winning teams from the Meet-Ups will compete for the overall Trophy\u03a4\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03ae award, which will be announced at Trophy\u03a4\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03ae \u2013 The Event, in Thessaloniki<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Following Athens, Trophy\u03a4\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03ae 2026 continued in Thessaloniki, with Meet-Ups in Larissa and Florina to follow. These meetings create spaces for dialogue and the exchange of ideas around contemporary challenges and opportunities in agrifood. The final event, Trophy\u03a4\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03ae \u2013 The Event, is expected to take place in early December in Thessaloniki.<\/p>\n One winning team is selected at each Meet-Up and receives advisory support from the Volunteer Managers\u2019 Centre of Greece (KEMEL) to further develop its business proposal. The winning teams will compete for the overall Trophy\u03a4\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03ae award, which will be announced at Trophy\u03a4\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03ae \u2013 The Event.<\/p>\n New Agriculture New Generation has been organising Trophy\u03a4\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03ae since 2019, with a founding grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). To date, the programme has supported more than 150 startups and business ideas, providing access to mentoring, specialised advisory services and an extensive network of contacts in Greece and abroad.<\/p>\nConnecting agrifood with the green economy<\/h3>\n
Agrifood as a driver for strengthening the green economy<\/h3>\n
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Innovative tools for the green transition and a sustainable future<\/h3>\n
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From dialogue to idea generation<\/h3>\n
Trophy\u03a4\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03ae 2026 continues to support new business proposals<\/h3>\n
Trophy\u03a4\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03ae 2026 continues its journey<\/h3>\n
An initiative supporting agrifood innovation<\/h3>\n