EIT Food Challenge Labs

EIT FOOD CHALLENGE LABS

Ideation and prototyping to address digitalisation and other challenges in the food industry

Are you interested in the challenges facing the food industry today and keen to explore potential solutions? At the EIT Food Challenge Labs idea competition, design thinking trainers will introduce you to the fundamentals of innovation design. You will conduct research and develop concepts in teams, with industry professionals helping you refine your ideas.

For the sixth time, the Climate Innovation Community is organising the Hungarian edition of EIT Food Challenge Labs, giving you the opportunity to join an international initiative where ideas become real solutions!

Programme:

Challenge Labs aims to bring participants together in teams of 4–5 to develop innovative solutions to the challenges presented. Experienced design thinking and service design trainers will guide the research, ideation and concept development process. Industry mentors will also join the programme to provide feedback on the concepts.

Programme stages:

RESEARCH

Introduction to the challenges and formation of teams
Understanding the innovation process, learning new methods and trying out a range of design tools in practice
Developing research questions for each team’s chosen topic

IDEATION AND PROTOTYPING

Analysing research findings
Generating ideas
Developing initial concepts
Building prototypes

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

Refining concepts based on mentor feedback
Pitch workshop

PITCH COMPETITION

Presenting projects to a panel of expert judges

Participants can continue working together after the programme and may also apply to EIT Food’s international startup programmes.

Programme facilitator:

Máté Barna is a service designer, trainer and methodology expert at Cellux Csoport. A graduate of MOME’s Product Design programme, he supports Hungarian and international teams in developing complex services, organisational processes and learning experiences. He teaches at MOME’s Product and Interaction Design Centre and is one of the lead educators on its postgraduate Service Design programme. His doctoral research explores how service design can support the development of higher and adult education programmes. He has also worked as a design thinking trainer for Google’s New Generation of Founders programme in Hungary. At the hackathon, he will help teams turn an understanding of people’s needs into solutions they can develop and test.

What are the benefits of taking part?

✅ Get to know the design thinking and service design methods and tools used in innovation design
✅ Discover the business trends shaping the food industry
✅ Consult with industry experts
✅ Meet innovators with similar interests
✅ Explore opportunities to take your idea further through EIT Food’s startup programmes

Details:

Date:
Wednesday, 11 November 2026, 17:45–19:45 — online via Zoom
Saturday, 14 November 2026, 09:00–18:00 — in person
Venue: Impact Hub (1077 Budapest, Wesselényi utca 17.)
Language: English

By registering, you agree to attend the entire programme and actively contribute to teamwork to ensure a productive and effective ideation experience.

Who can apply?

Undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students, as well as graduates, with knowledge primarily — but not exclusively — in the following fields:
nutrition, biotechnology, agriculture, food science, information technology, business studies, psychology or marketing
Anyone interested in the food industry who feels their knowledge and skills could contribute to the design process

You can apply individually, and we will assign you to a team based on shared interests. If you already have a team and would like to attend the workshop together, each team member must complete an individual application and indicate whom they would like to work with.

The event is free of charge, but registration is required.
Everyone must complete the registration form individually, even if you plan to attend as a group!

Places are limited!

What can you win?

In addition to networking and learning the design thinking methodology, you will have the chance to win prizes for the best ideas!

Registration is now open! If you are interested in the programme, complete the registration form by clicking the “Register” button below!

Register

If you have any questions, please contact us at: startup@ppis.hu

The programme is supported by EIT Food. EIT Food is the food-focused Knowledge and Innovation Community of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. Since 2021, PANNON Pro Innovation Services Ltd. has supported EIT Food’s Hungarian Hub activities, carried out by Campden BRI Hungary, through its business development work. Campden BRI Hungary is the primary contact for education and innovation activities, while PANNON Pro Innovation Services Ltd. is the primary contact for startup programmes. EIT Food contributes to sustainable economic growth by helping startups and innovators bring their ideas to life through a range of educational programmes, such as RIS Fellowships, as well as innovation and business development programmes focused on the food and agriculture sectors.