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Digitalization for Transparent Food Value Chains

Overview

A school for talented Master, PhD students and young professionals across Europe who want to fuel innovation in our food systems, by tackling the challenge of transparent food chains. Digitalisation of traceability can improve the safety, efficiency, value and sustainability of food chains and increase consumer trust. This summer school responds to the need to support a new circular economy and to develop new talent in the multidisciplinary issues related to transparent food value chains, and create start up ideas! Through a number of talks from successful and innovative companies combined with competent mentorship the students will collect knowledge and inspiration to develop unique start-up business ideas.

The participants will be exposed to state of the art entrepreneurship training, and work as a team on a business solution towards better food packaging sustainability.

Once completed, participants will:

-Have been exposed to the state of the art concepts related to digitalization of supply chains and their need to transparency.
-Identify challenges and opportunities related to developing new transparent food chains, and understand what it takes to start a business venture.
-Assess the problem and Identify solutions towards more circular Food Systems.
-Develop skills and practical tools towards running a successful business venture.
-Create a sound business model for a digital solution, using sensors, networks, IoT or blockchain.
-Pitch in a professional context the business idea in front of industrial mentors.

Successful participation will strengthen students’ ability to organize cross-functional teams and effectively communicate with industry, municipalities and across different disciplines.

The training will be delivered by a mix of academic partners, but most importantly world renown experts and industry leaders in Corporate social responsibility. The trainees will spend the last week in the bootcamp identifying the gaps and provide business focused solutions on how to advance the packaging sustainability agenda.

A monetary prize will be awarded to the three best business pitches!

A Certificate of attendance with ranking will be issued at participants that complete the training, with 4 ECTS. At the end of the school, the trainees will be able to propose a packaging solution that is sustainable and includes business aspects.

Programme structure

The summer school runs over a total of 3 weeks, with a mix of asynchronous (learn at your own pace) and synchronous events, including team work sessions and idea labs!
During the last week, participants will be listening to a number of talks from professionals and entrepreneurs, and will work in groups to develop a sound business model. They will prepare to pitch the venture ideas, and strengthen their business case together with the mentors. The last day there will be a final pitch competition with prizes for the best teams!

Career opportunities

This summer school will provide the participants with the experience of developing a start-up business idea designed to meet the challenges of todays need for transparent food supply chains.

Not available for applying at the moment
Not available for applying at the moment