As part of the Excel4Pro Meetups series, an inspiring event focused on sustainable food systems, entrepreneurship, and alternative proteins was held on 25 December at the Gebze Technical University Biotechnology Institute.
Opening Remarks and Project Introduction
The programme opened with welcoming remarks and an introduction to the project by Dr. Halil Daşgın, representing the TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center. During the opening session, participants were introduced to the objectives of the Excel4Pro project, its role within the Horizon Europe framework, and its commitment to strengthening research and innovation capacities through regional collaboration among Türkiye, Greece, and Ukraine.
Entrepreneurial Journey and the Farmhood Venture
Following the opening session, an interactive talk was held with Selin Arslan, Founder of Farmhood, moderated by Ayşe Sabuncu, Co-founder of Impact Hub & Foodback. The discussion delved into the emergence of the Farmhood venture, Selin Arslan’s entrepreneurial journey, and the vision for advancing sustainable food systems. The session also addressed the challenges encountered along the entrepreneurial path, the strategies used to overcome them, and the role of institutional support and funding mechanisms in turning the vision into reality.
The session proved highly inspiring for young entrepreneurs and researchers, offering valuable insights into the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Participants also gained an inside look at the R&D journey behind Farmhood’s plant-based, high-protein snacks. The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, during which attendees had the opportunity to pose their questions directly to the guest entrepreneur.
Tasting Session: Experiencing Innovative Protein Solutions
The event concluded with a tasting session of Farmhood’s high-protein snacks, giving participants the opportunity to experience these innovative products firsthand while gaining deeper insight into sustainable and alternative protein solutions.
