Mercamadrid is committed to digitization and goes a step beyond its traditional labor activities. Innovation is already based in this body, thanks to a new space that serves as a base and meeting point for innovative companies and startups.
Mercamadrid’s innovation hub, from which entities such as the National Center for Technology and Food Safety already work, in their desire to contribute to improving the competitiveness and quality of the food sector; or, technology and telecommunications companies such as Orange, in its commitment to the digitization of companies in the sector.
This hub was created within the framework of the company’s objective to make Mercamadrid an innovative ecosystem, which adds value to the sector as a whole, with the aspiration of becoming a stable platform of real collaboration for companies, startups and professionals in search of innovative solutions to agri-food challenges. Solutions that improve the competitiveness of companies and boost activity. With a coworking area, where you can develop projects, presentations and collaborate in the search for innovative solutions.
In this company’s strategic commitment to innovation, the first activity promoted in collaboration with the Eatable Adventures accelerator is particularly relevant: Smart Food Future Innovation Challenge. The first call for innovation, launched from the food unit, will make it possible to offer innovative responses to real challenges, previously posed by Mercamadrid companies in three strategic areas such as logistics, packaging and recycling.
Traceability systems that allow merchandise tracking
In this way, Mercamadrid will challenge the international innovation ecosystem to find solutions oriented towards optimization of transport routes in terms of sustainability and cost, as well as the identification of traceability systems that allow the monitoring of merchandise. In the area of packaging, those proposals that improve the preservation of food and extend its useful life will be selected, taking into account the concept of sustainability. Finally, the challenge also pursues the revaluation of food waste and waste through its transformation into raw material or a new product, also including the reuse of packaging.
This program will offer an excellent opportunity for startups that develop solutions in these areas and that will be able to collaborate with the greatest platform for the distribution, marketing, transformation and logistics of fresh food of Spain, having access to its infrastructure and know-how.
Startups that want to present their proposal for some of the challenges posed will be able to do so starting today at www.smartfoodfuture.com. Thus begins the future of Mercamadrid, coinciding with the commemoration of its 40-year history of success, with an eye on in future solutions that will allow you to continue advancing towards the forefront of commercial distribution in the world.
