Every year, Flevo Campus mentors a select group of budding food entrepreneurs through the‘Food Pioneers Program’. During the program, participants are coached and mentored by professionals, with the aim of taking their product or service to the next level. On Thursday 14 November, we brought the 2024 edition to a festive close with a lively pitch event at the Natural Pavilion.
Six months ago, sixteen passionate (food) entrepreneurs embarked on our Food Pioneers program. Over the course of six program days, they were taken under the wing, both literally and figuratively: they went on working visits to other food entrepreneurs in Flevoland and took part in tastings and Q&A sessions with experts from the food industry. They revamped their business models, immersed themselves in the customer’s perspective, shared valuable experiences and expanded their networks like never before.
Festive closure
Last week, the program was festively concluded with a gathering at Natural Pavilion. Program manager Thera van Heuveln presented the official part of the program in which each Food Pioneer was given two minutes to pitch his or her product or business in front of the four-member, expert panel consisting of Jochem de Bont(Crisp), Wietske Eilander(Rabobank), Bart-Jan Veldhuizen(Kitchen Republic) and Marcel Gonzales(Bidfood). Afterwards, the pitchers could be asked questions and give feedback. This gave the Pioneers many tips and advice, and here and there even an invitation for an introductory or advisory meeting.
Special products
After a dazzling interlude by David Klingen, the closing drinks were crowded at the tables where the Pioneers' products could be sampled. There was a lot of interest in the entrepreneurs and their special products, ranging from an authentic Indian Chai tea drink, artisanal stews made with leftover vegetables to protein-rich muffins, 'favamole' (guacamole made from fava beans) and much more!
Scoop: new beer!
During the drinks reception, BR FreshHop, a unique product of Flevo Lokaal, was introduced as a first. This successor to the revolutionary BR - Beer but shorter was developed by Almeerse Brouwerij Stijl. The beer contains 70% unmalted grains and is brewed with fresh hops from the hop garden on Utopia Island. BR FreshHop is now available at all known Flevo Lokaal outlets.
About Thera van Heuveln
Thera van Heuveln was founder of a food startup and is currently attached to Flevo Campus Foundation as Program Manager Supermarket of the Future and supervises the Food Pioneers program. Her opinion piece 'Supermarkets stand on the brakes when changing to healthy food' was published in the AD of 19 November 2024.
