🌳Maturing
Last updated
Last updated
The goals of FoodSHIFT2030 asked us to increase the technological, societal and innovation readiness levels of at least ten local initiatives in the area of food technology. Each of the nine FoodSHIFT2030 Accelerator Laboratories were tasked with this goal, creating a network of 90 innovative initiatives across Europe. (Make sure to read the Context: FoodSHIFT2030 section so you can understand what things like "Accelerator Labs," "Advisory Boards," and "FoodSHIFT2030" is).
We structured the timing of the acceleration program in line with the original timeline of outputs from the global FoodSHIFT2030, planning that the project would provide valuable insight and workshops, particularly for business model development.
We planned to accelerate the initiatives selected in the open call through a hands-on training program, with an adaptive approach that would be responsive to innovator’s evolving needs. As we hoped to work with initiatives operating outside of the status quo, we also approached our process for creating an acceleration program with a different mentality and set of values (like the five pillars listed in earlier sections).
The training program aimed to ensure that both innovators and their initiatives were ready to be part of the solution to the challenges posed by our current food system by:
Training innovators on how to use a fab lab as a space to increase their initiative’s technological and societal readiness levels (TRL and SRL, respectively)
Connecting innovators with problems in existing and new communities of practice
Building the innovator’s capacity to train others-- specifically new communities and non-professionals-- in their tech use, hacking, and its implementation to establish food citizenship
Empower the innovators to become Food Tech ambassadors, armed with the knowledge in their sector to educate and inspire communities and other tech makers in how a new generation of food technology could be envisioned, created and used.
The program itself featured three acceleration tracks–technology, business and community– and was divided into four phases. Below, you can better understand the phases of the program and the role of Fab Lab Barcelona. To dive deeper into the acceleration tracks, see the exploring the tracks: innovator tools & approaches section.
In this phase, innovators were introduced to Fab Lab Barcelona’s approaches to technology, business and community. The goal was to expose innovators to new concepts and for our team to better understand each of the initiatives.
Innovators were paired with local mentors based on the track they hoped to accelerate during the second phase. Mentors included Fab Lab staff with specialities in electronics, biomaterials and community engagement as well as external advisors who could provide more specific knowledge within the food system. In parallel, they participated in weekly sessions led by external experts that focused on business strategies and planning.
In the third phase, innovators continued their acceleration work and participated in sessions geared toward providing them with skills to engage with new communities.
The program culminated in the “demonstration” phase, in which innovators prepared for and participated in the Food Tech 3.0 Showcase.
Our initial approach to the acceleration program can be found here (in Spanish). Meanwhile, an explanation of the program, its phases and initial outcomes can be found here.
As facilitators of the program, we aimed to:
Offer a program that breaks from the acceleration and scaling status quo, by drawing on our educational, research and business experiences.
Provide the structure of the program.
Facilitate the connections between the different elements of the program.
Host and provide a sense of community in the physical and online spaces.
Identify and anticipate the needs of accelerated initiatives and address uncertainties that may arise during the program.
In the following sections, you can find the Outcomes & Outputs of the Food Tech 3.0 Acceleration Program, the Learnings, challenges & limitations, and Meet the Food Tech 3.0 Innovators of Food Tech 3.0 and the larger FoodSHIFT2030 project. You can also read more about the acceleration program here.
