The Foodathon is a space for experimentation, learning, and practical imagination. It’s about exploring possibilities, connecting with others who share your curiosity, and working through entrepreneurial ideas that respond to real challenges in food systems.
Explore more below.
Challenge areas
Eco-design of food packaging
Most food packaging still follows a linear model – designed to be used once, then discarded. Poorly designed packaging contributes to plastic pollution, food loss, and resource waste. Eco-design means rethinking the whole packaging system – from materials and safety to reuse – with the full life cycle of the food and its packaging in mind.
How would you redesign food packaging to work for people, planet, and industry – not just once, but over and over again?
Optimised fermentation
Fermentation has fed us for millennia – but the process behind it deserves a closer look. It’s both biological and technological. Smarter process control – from bioreactor design to real-time monitoring – can significantly improve quality, consistency, and sustainability.
From inputs like energy and feedstocks to outputs like waste and product performance: How might you redesign fermentation to save resources and raise food quality?
Valorisation of legume waste and by-products
Up to 50% of legumes are left behind after protein extraction – rich in fibres, starches, and bioactives with untapped potential. Many of these compounds support gut health, help regulate blood sugar, or offer clean-label functionality – giving waste a second life as health-promoting ingredients.
How could you turn this “waste” into high-value products that promote health – for people, animals, and ecosystems?
Programme
Foodathon Jumpstart
19 – 20 September 2025 | Online
Your Foodathon journey will begin with a live kick-off and community-building session.
Over these two days, you’ll connect with others, form your team, and start collaborating in our virtual community space on the challenge that inspires you — continuing that work all the way through to the Foodathon Live event (10-12 October 2025).
19 Sept.
14:00-17:00 CEST – Kick-off and community and team building session
20 Sept.
14:00-16:00 CEST – Community and team building session
Foodathon Live
10 – 12 October 2025 | Online
The Foodathon Live spans three days of inspiration, collaboration, and creation. You’ll deepen your challenge understanding, refine your ideas with mentor and peer support, and prepare to pitch your team’s solution to an expert jury.
1/3
Friday 10 October
Inspiration day – discover & define
From 13:00 to 21:30 CEST
13:00
Welcome & Opening
13:20
- Inspirational talks: Foodathon challenge areas
- Design Thinking Keynote
14:40
Practical info and Q&A
16:00
Team hacking and mentoring
21:00
Community booster: music & chill
2/3
Saturday 11 October
Development & pitch prep day
From 09:00 to 20:30 CEST
09:00
Community energiser
10:00
Deep work: team hacking and mentoring
14:00
Pitching masterclass: how to tell your story
15:30
Pitch prep and mentoring
3/3
Sunday 12 October
Demo day – pitch & celebrate
From 11:00 to 14:30 CEST
11:00
Team pitches and Jury Q&A
13:00
Jury deliberation
14:00
Winners announced and closing celebration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Foodathon all about?
The Foodathon is inspired by the idea of a “hackathon” — an innovation sprint where curious minds come together to solve real-world problems. Over several days, participants form teams to develop bold, creative, and practical solutions to pressing food systems challenges.
Each team will design a business idea or project tackling one of three challenge areas:
- Eco-design of food packaging,
- Optimised fermentation,
- and Valorisation of legume waste and by-products.
It’s a hands-on, high-energy experience designed to to spark learning, build connections, and encourage entrepreneurial thinking in a collaborative setting.
Who can participate in the Foodathon?
The Foodathon is open to all students – from Master’s to PhD – and junior and senior professionals from the food sector and related or transversal fields or industries. These include, but are not limited to Food Science and Technology, Environmental Sciences, Design and Engineering, Business and Entrepreneurship, Agriculture and Agritech, and Social sciences and Humanities.
How do I apply for the Foodathon?
Click the ‘Apply now’ button on the top of this page or go directly to the application form.
How does the application process work?
You can apply either as an individual or as part of a team — but everyone must submit their own application form. Whether you already have a team or are looking to join one, we’ll assess applications individually based on background, motivation, and fit.
Applications close on 1 September 2025 at 19:00 CEST.
If selected, you’ll receive an email between 8 and 10 September with practical details for the 19–20 September kick-off session and a link to join our online community space.
Can I apply on my own, or do I need a team?
Yes — you can apply either solo or as part of a team. Many participants apply on their own, and during the kick-off & community-building session on 19–20 September 2025, we’ll support team formation based on shared interests and complementary skills.
If you already have a team in mind — whether colleagues, classmates, or friends — they’re welcome to join the Foodathon journey with you. Just remember: each team member must submit their own individual application. We assess participants individually based on their background, motivation, and fit.
You’re encouraged to highlight your interest in working as a team, especially if you bring complementary skills and perspectives. And remember — part of the Foodathon experience is also about expanding your horizons, so be open to connecting and collaborating with new people too!
How will teams be formed?
During the live kick-off & community-building session on 19–20 September 2025, we’ll guide you through a series of matchmaking steps so you can team up with people whose skills and passions complement your own. By the end of Day 2, every participant will be in a multidisciplinary team and can start tackling their chosen challenge in Discord. Teams will keep collaborating until the Foodathon Live on 10–12 October 2025.
Do I need to stay for the entire duration?
We recommend that participants commit to the full duration to gain the most from the collaborative experience. Each stage builds on the last, and your team will rely on your active involvement.
What prizes are awarded at the Foodathon?
Winning teams earn a celebration & pitching trip to Brussels, where they’ll present their solution during a special GEEK4Food event at EIT House on 28 November 2025. Travel and agenda details will be shared with selected participants.
Will I get a certificate for participating?
Yes! Everyone who completes the full Foodathon programme will receive a certificate from GEEK4Food.
Each team will also get a personalised team certificate, which includes a QR code linking to their pitch deck, prototype or idea.
Have a question not listed here?
Feel free to email us at info@geek4food.eu or send us a direct message on LinkedIn.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.