Now supported by BEKB: Transforming food waste into profitable products and business models.
1. November 2025

Now supported by BEKB: Transforming food waste into profitable products and business models.

THE CONTEXT

The BEKB SME Support Foundation funds workshops organized by Foodways.

SMEs form the backbone of the Swiss economy: they secure jobs, drive innovation, and strengthen regional value creation. At the same time, they face major challenges—ranging from the climate crisis and technological change to a shortage of skilled labor.

To support businesses in this transformation, the BEKB SME Promotion Foundation funds up to 200 expert workshops annually as part of the SME Impulse Program. One of these workshops is offered by Foodways and demonstrates how companies can transform food side-streams into value-generating products and new business models.

THE PROJECT

Upcycling for SMEs: Turning Residual Materials into Profitable Ideas

As part of the SME stimulus program, Foodways offers a workshop for food-processing SMEs that demonstrates how operational by-products can be transformed into value-generating products or new business models. The process is straightforward and practical: the SME selects the workshop and discusses its specific needs directly with our expert, Tatjana Nebel. The workshop can either be self-funded or supported by the BEKB SME Promotion Foundation. Once funding is approved, the workshop is conducted within three months.

To ensure targeted preparation, the company can submit a list of its food waste and side streams in advance. During the workshop, participants receive brief inspiration regarding potential product and business model approaches, collaboratively develop concrete ideas, and prioritize them. The process concludes with a clear to-do list outlining the next steps for implementation within their own operations—a practical outcome ready for immediate use.

Ihre Ansprechpartnerin: Tatjana Nebel

Tatjana Nebel ist Ihre Ansprechpartnerin, wenn es um zukunftsweisende Innovationen in der Food-Branche geht. Als Projektleiterin begleitet sie Unternehmen und Behörden dabei, nachhaltige Ideen von der Vision in die Realität zu bringen – mit strategischem Weitblick, Innovationskraft und Leidenschaft für Impact.

Was sie auszeichnet: Tatjana ist exzellent vernetzt in der Food-, Innovations- und Wirtschaftsszene. Sie bringt langjährige Erfahrung aus der internationalen Lebensmittelindustrie mit – unter anderem als Director Innovation – Sustainability and Future Innovation bei Ricola, wo sie globale Projekte leitete und Nachhaltigkeitsstrategien umsetzte.

Sie möchten von fundierter Innovations- und Nachhaltigkeitsexpertise profitieren?
Tatjana Nebel freut sich auf den Austausch – gerne in einem unverbindlichen Erstgespräch.

Foodways

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