Micvac welcomes Costas Papaikonomou, a seasoned innovator and sustainability advocate to help shape the future

In a world driven by innovation and constant evolution, staying ahead of the curve is imperative for any company. Micvac, an innovator in the food processing industry, has taken a step towards furthering its success by welcoming Costas Papaikonomou to its board. With an impressive background and a unique perspective, Papaikonomou brings a wealth of experience that promises to shape the future of Micvac in exciting new ways.

Born with a natural curiosity for discovering new possibilities, Costas Papaikonomou has always been drawn to the intersection of technology and entrepreneurship. With a background in engineering and design, Papaikonomou has accumulated an extensive track record of success in both small businesses and large multinationals. Initially as co-founder of global innovation consultancy Happen Group and more recently as a founding partner at Una Terra VC. A prominent capital fund, backing European scale-ups in the sustainability space, with the aim to create a positive impact on people and the planet by investing in businesses that are inherently viable. His expertise lies in identifying emerging trends and transforming them into actionable strategies, which aligns perfectly with Micvac's vision.

Unveiling a shared vision
Papaikonomou's decision to join Micvac's board was fueled by a combination of admiration for CEO Michael Bogdanski's business acumen and an appreciation for the company's innovative approach to food packaging. Having known Bogdanski for over a decade, Papaikonomou acknowledges his counterpart's style, candour, and pragmatism in business as key factors in their successful professional relationship. This familiarity, coupled with conversations they had shared about Micvac's future prospects, led Papaikonomou to recognize the untapped potential within the company.

Offering sustainable and innovative solutions for fresh ready-to-eat foods, Micvac provides a unique approach that involves a patented method that combines cooking, pasteurisation, and packaging into a single process, ensuring that both the taste and nutritional value of the meals are preserved. Making Micvac a pioneering company in the food packaging industry, as they continue to meet consumer demands for convenient and healthy meal options.

With a keen eye for emerging market trends and a history of advising innovative food companies, Papaikonomou sees Micvac as an enterprise that aligns with his values. By joining the board, he will contribute with his expertise accumulated over his 25 years of experience, highlighting his confidence in Micvac's potential to disrupt the industry and deliver long-term value.

– For me, the board position represents more than just a functional role; it symbolises the chance to co-invest in a business I firmly believe is on the right path, he says.

Sustainability as a driving force
Papaikonomou underlines the importance of pushing the sustainability agenda within the food industry. Or, as he states himself; it is a pull, not a push. He recognizes that food manufacturers require packaging solutions that align with the sustainability targets set by their retail customers. Micvac's solution stands out in this regard, because it saves energy and uses a mono-material. By addressing these critical factors, Micvac offers an enticing package for potential customers, leading to increased market appeal.

– Micvac distinguishes itself from competitors by having a solution that few can match. It is a genuinely smart product that excels in taste, shelf presence, shelf life, and sustainability performance. They provide a versatile spectrum of client solutions, ranging from valves and packaging to a complete production system. This comprehensive approach enables Micvac to cater to the diverse needs of ready-made meal producers, he underlines.

Addressing industry challenges
Food producers often face the challenge of reducing costs without compromising quality. Micvac's solutions can address this predicament by showcasing the availability of higher taste and delivery quality levels. By elevating the standards within the industry, Micvac can help shift the prevailing paradigm and support producers in maintaining value.

Papaikonomou observes that consumers are increasingly relying on ready-made meals, necessitating an enhanced competitive landscape in the food industry. Packaging, in particular, presents an untapped opportunity for value-add, and Micvac is uniquely positioned to lead in this domain. The integration of Micvac's solution into the manufacturing process sets it apart from competitors who treat packaging as an afterthought.

– I envision exciting new business relationships with clients, involving deeper collaboration in marketing and R&D. Additionally, I believe Micvac's solution can effectively cater to both retail and food service channels, expanding opportunities for producers operating in either sector, he adds.

A vision for the future
Beyond providing his insights and serving as a sounding board for the leadership team, he plans to personally invest in the company, demonstrating his commitment. Papaikonomou expresses that his main goal will be to help the team make better decisions and focus on strategic initiatives.

– My vision centres around the successful implementation of the new mono-material solution, which represents a crucial milestone for the company. Retrofitting existing customers and acquiring new ones in both retail and food service sectors will be key to Micvac's growth in the short term. Looking ahead, I believe the sky's the limit, he says.

With the addition of Costas Papaikonomou to its board, Micvac has gained a seasoned innovator and sustainability advocate. As the company continues to reform the ready-made meal industry, it is well-positioned to seize new opportunities and forge ahead with support from Papaikonomou. With a shared vision for innovation, sustainability, and market leadership, Micvac and Papaikonomou aim to make a positive impact in the food industry of tomorrow.

– Through the years I have learned that every pound can only be spent once. It can however be earned many times over with a product that scales well. An attitude I plan to apply at Micvac, with its great business product and people, he concludes.