The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) and Junior Achievement Europe (JA Europe) are delighted to announce that SAANA, a Belgian start-up, is the winner of the eighth AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award.
Saana is made up of a team of cutting-edge researchers and experts who designed a unique personalised nutrition platform based on the latest science and a machine learning algorithm to enhance cancer patients’ continuum of care and chances of remission.
The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) and Junior Achievement Europe (JA Europe) are delighted to announce that SAANA, a Belgian start-up, is the winner of the eighth AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award.
Saana is made up of a team of cutting-edge researchers and experts who designed a unique personalised nutrition platform based on the latest science and a machine learning algorithm to enhance cancer patients’ continuum of care and chances of remission.
Stéphanie Roland, the founder and CEO of Saana, is passionate about the cause following the loss of her mother to cancer at a young age. Saana aims to fight back now and raise awareness around the impact of nutrition on remission. Today, up to 80% of cancer patients suffer from unaddressed and undiagnosed malnutrition, which endangers their quality of life, treatment follow-up and chances of remission. Saana aims to improve cancer patients' quality of life through actionable, tangible and personalised diet interventions.
The international jury was composed of Claude Alber, Vice-President, Europe, Collins Aerospace a Raytheon Technologies company; Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU; Anna-Michelle Assimakopoulou, Member of the European Parliament from Greece, Luciana Broggi, SVP and Global Head of Channel strategy and Global accounts, HP Inc; Mark Libby, Deputy Chief of Mission, United States Mission to the EU; and Lou Rivieccio, President, UPS Europe. They also wanted to send a signal to young people to get engaged in this crucial sector for the EU and the world.
The AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award, organised in collaboration with JA Europe, aims to encourage and support the entrepreneurial mindsets of young Europeans. The winner received a cash prize of €10,000 and will be offered several hours of mentorship over a 12-month period from a number of senior executives from AmCham EU’s member companies who will offer their time, expertise and advice. The other four finalists included Adventures with Amara from the United Kingdom, Canaree from Denmark, Celuna (TimeNinja) from Malta and WakiVaky from Slovakia.
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EU Member States’ decision to approve the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement is a major victory for the EU’s free trade agenda. For companies in the EU, the agreement promises to support deeper integration of value chains and facilitate access to a market of 284 million consumers. This will contribute to more resilient and diversified supply chains, including access to critical raw materials essential for the EU’s economic security and industrial growth.
AmCham EU praises the European Commission for its work with Member States to ensure the deal benefits all sectors of the EU economy. By concluding Mercosur’s first trade agreement with a major global partner, the EU demonstrates its commitment to open and rules-based trade. The European Parliament must now approve the agreement without delay, so that – after 25 years of negotiations – businesses and citizens can start benefiting from this deal.
Reacting to the news, Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU, stressed the importance of the agreement: ‘The Council’s decision is a timely one. In today’s world, the EU needs to boost its economic competitiveness and maintain its free trade leadership. The EU-Mercosur agreement ticks both boxes’.
‘The business case is clear; the geopolitical case is clear. It is now the Parliament’s job to see the agreement across the finish line’, he added.
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The European Council’s decision to postpone its vote on concluding the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement (FTA) is a missed strategic opportunity that threatens the EU’s credibility as a reliable partner. After more than 20 years of negotiations, the EU is once again delaying one of its most ambitious and strategic trade agreements.
The EU-Mercosur FTA’s economic benefits are clear. At a time when strengthening competitiveness, economic growth and partnerships should be paramount, the FTA provides access to a market of 284 million consumers – reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers and supporting integrated supply chains.
Beyond its economic benefits, the EU-Mercosur FTA is also an important geopolitical tool. It would anchor a long-term strategic partnership with a key region and reinforce the EU’s role as a credible advocate of rules-based trade. Amid heightened geopolitical rivalry, postponement weakens the EU’s standing and its ability to conclude ambitious FTAs elsewhere.
The EU cannot afford further delays. The EU-Mercosur FTA is vital for the region’s competitiveness, resilience and global credibility. The European Council must promptly return to this file and conclude this FTA in January.
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The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) has confirmed Liam Benham, President, EU, NATO and Government Affairs, Europe, Boeing, for a second mandate as Chair of its Board of Directors. We look forward to continuing our work with Liam as he brings his expertise and leadership to advancing AmCham EU’s strategic priorities.
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