Leading the Sustainable Food Solutions Track within the early-stage accelerator and a dedicated Challenge for late-stage startups. Responsibilities:⇨ Review of up to 1'000 startups in a yearly basis and assess Technical Feasibility of selected ones ⇨ Startup sourcing and matching: Understand Corporate Partners Needs and find relevant startups⇨ Help Corporate Partners like: Nestlé, dem-firmenich, Givaudan, Bühler, Louis Dreyfus, Barry Callebaut, Südzucker, Puratos, General Mills and Ricola to navigate innovation and the startups ecosystem ⇨ Help Startups to find relevant Investors ⇨ Understand & connect with Food Startup Ecosystem in Europe (Startups, Universities, Accelerators, Investors, Corporations)⇨ Build Sustainable Food Solutions Curriculum and Program MassChallenge is a no-equity & not-for-profit startup-friendly accelerator that helps entrepreneurs across any industry. It’s one of the top 10 startup accelerators in the world, and as of 2019, MassChallenge's 2,458 startups have raised $6.2B+ in funding, generated over $3 billion in revenue and created over 157,000 jobs.

Harnessing the power of fungi, Fotortec transforms any kind of vegetable waste to mushroom protein ingredients on site.I will be supporting Fotortec with corporate partnerships and product development.

Work with alternative-protein players to develop business and partnership strategies. Areas of specialty include:⇨ Search of co-manufacturing, suppliers & product development partners⇨ Support in product development and project management⇨ Technical feasibility reviews⇨ Benchmarking.

As Head of Technology, I oversee all activities associated with technology, product management, human resources, business development, and sales streams with a focus on accomplishing organisational objectives. I led the planning and commercialisation of innovative technology for the food industry (Laatu) as per market needs on microbial safety, food qualify, sustainability, and costs. I devised and implemented effective marketing strategies to improve brand awareness and ensure successful product launch. I developed, spearheaded, and supported a cross-functional team of 13 experts and 37 external partners to finalise technology, unlock applications, gain market acceptance, and increase product sales. I defined the pricing and strategic positioning to support overall company business, market share, and revenue growth. I attained scientific and customer acceptance through the execution of microbial and process validation strategy. I initiated, won, and drove an EU project with value of 1M EUR in collaboration with four partners while securing strategic publishing in peer-review magazinesKey achievements during this tenure include:⇨ Leveraged pricing and digitalisation expertise as well as planned and realised a new business model based on pay-per-use to sell the technology.⇨ Identified potential business opportunities for sales through the commercialization and launch of new technology.⇨ Partnered with national and multinationals food manufactures while fostering strategic relations with multiple partners, customers, and regulatory bodies to gain market acceptance.

For Bühler AG, Corporate Technology, I managed the development of technology and business strategy for the introduction of Laatu product within dry food industry. I devised and delivered process validation and biological indicator solutions along with the technology, built up first industrial prototype and secured IP. I led business development functions, team of 80 staff, innovative food safety project, and screening of 18 technologies while researching market trends and competitive landscape to support food safety strategy and customers. I provided strategic direction and guidance to gain process improvements and company credibility as food safety expert.Key achievements during this tenure include:⇨ Developed the first digital service to monitor microbial reduction while serving as the CTO of internal start-up at MassChallenge, Boston.⇨ Generated new business opportunities and attained market acceptance by fostering everlasting relations and conducting dry-food market analysis.