Food 2.0 kick-off event: inspiration and networking for the builders of the future food system
Valio hosted a kick-off event for its Food 2.0 ecosystem partners on June 17th. The event gathered over 100 ecosystem representatives to Valio’s head office in Helsinki, and another 100 joined online. It is essential that all the nodes of the food system are onboard, when developing the food system of the future, said Valio’s Senior Vice President Harri Kallioinen.
“The goal is to have at least one hundred partners in the network. The ecosystem’s goal is to invest EUR 100 million more in research and development activities over five years and to increase exports connected to the food system by more than EUR 1 billion in the following years after the project has ended. Valio is the first food company that Business Finland has chosen as a leading company. This is a great milestone in over 100 years of Valio’s R&D history, says SVP Harri Kallioinen.
Food 2.0 is an extensive research, development and innovation program aiming to create a Finnish nature-smart food system in which growth, profitability and added value are built based on sustainable production. The duration of the program is five years, and it started this year. The Food 2.0 project has been granted EUR 10 million funding in Business Finland’s challenge competition for leading companies. In addition, Business Finland is prepared to fund ecosystem projects on Food 2.0 roadmap with EUR 20 million.
Towards the next growth opportunities
There were no empty seats in Valio’s head office auditorium when Valio Food 2.0 Ecosystem Lead Veera Virtanen welcomed the participants of the Food 2.0 kick-off event. According to her, the Food 2.0 project has gotten the best possible start – it has already attracted over 70 ecosystem members and more are flowing in constantly.
“We have had a speedy, active start and extensive network of partners already onboard as well as a wonderful crew at Valio. Now we’re off to the next steps: making the most of the growth and business opportunities within the network. This is essential also to reach the goals set for the whole project”, said Veera Virtanen.
The key opportunities include financial and business activities, such as investments for startups and joint ventures; networking, visibility and joint development, such as joint R&D and innovation projects with many financing opportunities; and Business Finland’s service and opportunities for the ecosystem, such as support from the global network and INTO-financing for expert exchange program.
The network of networks
The Food 2.0 ecosystem and the food system in general is connected to various industries, not just the firsthand food production. And even more so in the future food system.
“There are hundreds of companies and other organization involved in the food system, and in transitioning towards a system based on circular economy, we need to collaborate with even more extensive network”, says Veera Virtanen.
A big thanks to speakers
The event’s speakers provided plenty of insight and inspiration on how to create results and drive business through collaborations. Valio wishes to thank all the visiting speakers as well as Valio’s research theme leaders for their input.
Visiting speakers:
Xin Huang, Docent, Group R&D Manager, Viking Malt
Simo Ellilä, Founder & CEO, Enifer
Lea Rankinen, Head of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs, ST1 Nordic
Mika Tuomola, Director, R&D, Honkajoki
Sanna Martin, Project Manager, Spirit Program, Borealis
Valio’s Food 2.0 research theme leads:
Mikko Immonen, Niina Valkonen, Virpi Kling, Robert Harmoinen
