OKIN PRESENTS ITSELF AT THE BTEM AWARDS - Awards for Food Innovation in the Basque Country.

At OKIN, we identified the need to develop an ecological, fresh, and 100% baked (ready to eat) bread. Based on this idea, we created the Chapatita Bio Okin, which we have submitted for the food innovation awards in the Basque Country.

With the strategic vision of making the Basque Country a global reference in the culinary and food sector, Basque Food Cluster and Azti join forces to carry out the BTEM awards for the third time. After the obligatory pause due to the pandemic, and in the context of Food 4 Future, the awards ceremony took place on May 18, 2022, at the BEC. These awards have many objectives, including highlighting the food sector and honoring the awarded companies.

Furthermore, beyond these objectives, this event aims to be a meeting point for all companies within the Basque food sector. The awards are divided into three categories: Technological Innovation (product), Business Innovation (process), and Market Innovation. Okin has participated in the technological innovation category, which rewards companies that have been able to identify a market need or opportunity and successfully introduce a product to the market. The challenge in marketing organic products arises from the fact that these types of bread must be baked in specialized ovens for organic products.

Our product addresses this challenge and thus meets the demands of a customer base that increasingly seeks quality. AWARD CRITERIA Since enhancing competitiveness is a clear objective of Basque Food Cluster and Azti, special importance is given to products that have emerged from collaboration between two organizations. The impact that the presented innovations may have had on the organization's development is also taken into account. Aspects of quality, reliability, speed, flexibility, and profitability are also considered.

JURY The jury has been chaired by Manu Giner, President of Basque Food Cluster, and has included the winning companies from the previous edition. The jury also included three independent experts of recognized prestige: Leire Bilbao, CEO of Innobasque-Basque Innovation Agency; Carolina Pérez, President of CEBEK, the Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Bizkaia; and Jaime Martín, Co-founder and CEO of Lantern Consulting.

THE AWARDEES In the technological innovation category, La cocina de Senén has been awarded for its "traveling omelette." This potato omelette is marketed in retail within a metal can, already prepared to eat and with the possibility of lasting up to a year without refrigeration. On the other hand, in the Business Innovation category, the company Goxorrubi has been awarded, which is dedicated to sustainable production and distribution of fruits. They promote the "kilometer 0" product, use electric bicycles for transportation, and work with a circular economy scheme. This project addresses significant challenges faced by the Basque food sector, especially during times like the pandemic and transportation strikes, highlighting the clear need for localized agri-food systems. Lastly, in the Market Innovation category, the winning company is Casa Eceiza for successfully introducing a product that was considered more typical of artisanal markets, the authentic Tarta de Queso Donostiarra (San Sebastian Cheesecake), into retail and the online market.

MORE ABOUT BASQUE FOOD CLUSTER

Basque Food Cluster works to enhance the competitiveness of companies throughout the value chain of Basque food. With a membership base currently consisting of over 120 companies, organizations, and entities, including leading firms from each subsector, the organization has established itself as a reference agent in the food sector in the Basque Country and the primary intermediary between the business fabric and institutions. Among its strategic objectives, it emphasizes supporting sector companies by promoting and stimulating cooperation and the development of shared projects with high value in market development, technological and non-technological innovation, knowledge and consumer relations, as well as talent attraction and retention.

MORE ABOUT AZTI

Azti is a scientific and technological center that develops high-impact transformation projects with organizations aligned with the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Its purpose is to drive positive change for the future of people, contributing to a healthy, sustainable, and integrated society. Specialized in the marine environment and food, it provides cutting-edge, value-added products and technologies based on robust science and research. AZTI boasts 40 years of experience, a presence in 45 countries, three headquarters in the Basque Country, and a team of over 290 people. Its extensive track record is supported by more than 1500 indexed publications, and its excellence is rooted in its research personnel, of whom 60% hold doctorates.