Olympic Fruit is an international fruit partner for producers, wholesalers and retailers. Our ambition is to unlock the boundless potential of fruits and foster connections and provide support to others who share our vision. In this challenge we are seeking innovative approaches to promote grapes as a nutritious and enjoyable snack. We invite startups, scale-ups and other innovators to pitch their solution and come with us to the Fruit Attraction Fair in Madrid!
Grapes are mainly consumed during snack moments throughout the day. However, snacking on fruit accounts for only 11% of the total snack consumption. Regrettably, this percentage is even lower for grapes, and the trend is further declining. This decline can be attributed to intense competition from less healthy alternatives like cookies, candy, and chips. We want to reverse this trend and shift the snacking landscape towards a healthier choice by promoting grapes as a preferred option.
We encounter several challenges in relation to grape consumption. One significant challenge is that grapes are predominantly purchased by impulse buyers, with their decision heavily influenced by appearance rather than taste. Moreover, grape sales rely mostly on promotional activities, with limited customer interaction. Additionally, when customers have a negative experience with grapes, they tend to hesitate to repurchase for a period of 6-8 weeks.
Do you have an innovative solution that can improve the way grapes are perceived and consumed as a healthy snack? We invite startups, scale-ups and other innovators to send in their pitch and join us in our mission to make grapes the preferred choice for snacking!
What we are looking for
In this challenge we are looking for solutions that can increase the consumption of grapes, as we want to position grapes as the healthy alternative for snacking.
We are open to explore a wide range of solutions, including:
- New concepts: We are interested in fresh ideas and innovative approaches that redefine the snacking experience with grapes. Think outside the box and propose exciting concepts that captivate consumers and make snacking on grapes more appealing.
- Packaging: We are interested in inventive packaging solutions that enhance convenience, freshness, and visual appeal, while also taking sustainability and eco-friendly practices into account. Efficient and eye-catching packaging plays a crucial role in attracting consumers.
- Technologies: We are interested in technologies that improve grape quality, extend shelf life, or enhance the overall snacking experience. Advancements in technology can significantly impact the way grapes are consumed as snacks.
- Presentation: We are interested in innovative presentation ideas, such as unique serving suggestions, which make grapes stand out and entice consumers to choose them over less healthy options.
- Communication: We are open to consider strategies that creatively communicate the nutritional benefits, taste, and versatility of grapes to capture consumers' attention and influence their preference towards grapes.
We invite participants to submit their solutions in any of these areas while keeping in mind that we have to maintain quality in appearance and taste from grower to consumer. Let's work together towards making grapes the preferred choice for healthy snacking!
What we are not looking for
We are not interested in concepts related to breeding of new grape varieties. Developing new varieties typically requires a considerable amount of time, often taking a minimum of 5 years before they bear fruit. Additionally, we are not looking for concepts that involve processing the fruit into new products. As a fruit trading company our primary focus lies in sourcing and distributing fresh fruit rather than engaging in fruit processing operations.
What we offer
The winner of this challenge will receive:
- One ticket to the Fruit Attraction fair in Madrid from the 3rd till the 5th of October, including flight and accommodation.
- The chance to pitch your winning concept to the Grape Attraction public, 350 great grape specialists, allowing you to showcase your innovative idea and gain valuable exposure within the industry.
- The chance to demonstrate a proven concept/product/prototype at the Olympic Fruit Stand in Madrid
The Fruit Attraction fair in Madrid is a leading industry event that brings together over 90.000 professionals, experts, and stakeholders from the fruit industry worldwide. For more information, you can visit their official website at: ifema.es/en/fruit-attraction
The winner, as well as other potential concepts may also receive:
- Opportunities to start a development project together (and/or with partners in the value chain)
- Opportunities to start a pilot collaboration
- Opportunities to get follow up contract(s) and/or structural collaboration when the pilot is successful
Conditions for participation
- Participation is open for all start- and scale ups with an innovative concept for snacking
- You can demonstrate a proven concept/product/prototype, which will be showcased at the Olympic Fruit Stand in Madrid
- You will be physically present at the fair (3 - 5 October 2023)
- Ability to start a pilot project in 3-6 months
Your pitch (max. 4 A4 / 12 slides)
The pitch may be submitted in free form (presentation / slide deck, letter form), but must be uploaded as a PDF file (landscape or portrait A4 - max. 30MB). Videos, example websites, etc. can be included as a link.
Dutch and English pitches are allowed, and must include:
- Description of your solution
- Description of your company
- Description of the team
Timeline
- July 13th at 17.00 CET: Deadline challenge
- July 13th – July 27th: Selection period
- July 28th: Announcements selection & invites for 1:1 conversations
- Aug: 1:1 conversations
- Sept 4th: Announcement winner
- Q4 2023 onwards: discuss and start collaboration
- 3th - 5th October: Fruit Attraction fair in Madrid
Terms & conditions
- Participation is open for startups, scale-ups, SMEs, grown-ups, innovators and scientists with an innovative product and/or technology
- You will remain the owner of your intellectual rights, concept or solution in your pitch, until you agree otherwise
- Be aware of the fact that your pitch (and concepts and ideas in it) will be viewed and be shared with (internal) stakeholders. Keep IP sensitive unique (technical) details out of your pitch, keep it a secret that you can share later
- We strongly advise you to document everything you share with others and mention that information provided is confidential and intellectual property rights remain with you/ your company until agreed otherwise
About us
Olympic Fruit is located in the Dutch heart of the vegetable and fruit business in Barendrecht. We are a modern international fruit partner for producers, wholesalers and retailers. Collaboration lies at the heart of our partner role and forms the foundation for chain-effective operations. Connecting the right partners and supporting them with relevant specialist services ensures our ambitions are within reach.
With every service provided, we strive to build trust and inspire excitement and creativity. Whether it’s grower connections, geographical distribution, species selection, promotion planning, shopper insights, brands, private labels and many more, our full commitment and dedication ensure we are constantly meeting or exceeding expectations.