Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546133
THE EIT Community Hub Malta, which is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, has launched 'Brain & Bites: The Innovation Series', a new initiative designed to transform innovation conver- sations into practical action by bringing together entrepre- neurs, researchers, businesses, public entities and ecosystem partners around themes that matter to Malta's future. The initiative builds on the success of The Innovation Ex- change, which throughout the past year has highlighted the need for stronger connections between people, sectors and opportunities within Malta's innovation ecosystem. The first Brain & Bites ses- sion, held at BusinessLabs Flexible Workspace, focused on 'Soil, Growth & Funding Opportunities' and attracted around 30 participants from across Malta's innovation landscape, including start-ups, SMEs, sustainable agriculture practitioners, business support organisations, tourism oper- ators and public sector stake- holders. The session explored how in- novation can support sustain- able food production, climate resilience and entrepreneur- ship while creating new oppor- tunities for business growth. Participants heard how Eu- ropean innovation priorities are creating funding and col- laboration opportunities that Maltese innovators can access through the EIT Community and its Knowledge and Innova- tion Communities. Opening the event, EIT Com- munity Officer Malta Diana Miceli highlighted the im- portance of creating practical opportunities for collabora- tion. "Malta has no shortage of talent, creativity or ambi- tion. What we need are more opportunities for people from different sectors to come to- gether, share experiences and identify ways to collaborate. Brain & Bites was created to provide exactly that, a practi- cal and accessible space where innovation can move beyond discussion and become action," she said. A key part of the session fea- tured a presentation by Ales- sandra Loria from Xjenza Mal- ta, who outlined opportunities available through the European Union's Horizon Europe Mis- sions programme, including the Mission Soil initiative. Par- ticipants learned about current and upcoming funding oppor- tunities focused on soil health, sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation and environmental resilience. The event also showcased a local entrepreneurial success story through a presentation by Chiara Isabelle Chytil, found- er of Microgreens Syntropic Food Farm. Chytil shared her experience developing a busi- ness based on regenerative and syntropic growing methods, demonstrating how innovative approaches can support more sustainable food systems while creating commercial opportu- nities. One of the highlights of the session was an interactive chal- lenge that encouraged partici- pants to share ideas and prac- tical solutions to real business challenges. Entrepreneurs, advisors and ecosystem stake- holders exchanged insights on topics ranging from customer engagement and market posi- tioning to storytelling and busi- ness development, demonstrat- ing the value of collaborative problem-solving. Participants were also introduced to a range of European and local funding opportunities, including pro- grammes linked to EIT Food, Climate-KIC, Xjenza Malta and the wider EIT Community. Brain & Bites forms part of the wider Innovation Exchange platform, which was estab- lished to strengthen Malta's innovation ecosystem by fos- tering collaboration across sectors and connecting local stakeholders with European networks, funding opportuni- ties and expertise. The series will continue throughout the year with additional sessions focused on topics that support Malta's innovation, sustaina- bility and economic develop- ment priorities. "The Innovation Exchange showed us that innovation happens when people connect, collaborate and learn from one another. Brain & Bites allows us to keep those conversations alive throughout the year while creating tangible opportunities for innovators and organisa- tions to access European net- works, funding and expertise," Miceli added. The next Brain & Bites ses- sion will take place at 10.00am on 27th August 2026 at the EIT Community Hub Malta, which is based at Businesslabs. The event will focus on EIT Glob- al Outreach and will connect Maltese innovators, research- ers and companies with inter- national partners, markets and collaboration opportunities, including countries outside the EU such as Japan, India, Israel and the UK. More information is available through the EIT Community Hub Malta Linke- dIn page or via email at malta@ eitcommunity.eu 6 COMMERCIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 AUGUST 2026 Moneybase launches weekly cashback on card spending CALAMATTA Cuschieri Moneybase has in- troduced weekly cashback on its Moneybase Mastercard, giving its customers cashback on purchases they make every week as a perma- nent offering. Cashback is calculated on card spending each week and credited directly to the customer account every Monday. It applies to everyday card purchases made locally and abroad, in- cluding online, contactless and chip and PIN. Moneybase customers can earn up to 0.75% and up to €15 per month in cashbacks, and the offer is available to all Maltese residents. "As we continue to grow, I would like to thank our clients for their continued support. Once again, we are happy to offer our custom- ers even more value combined with a trusted and premium service" said Alan Cuschieri, Co-CEO at Calamatta Cuschieri Moneybase and founder of Moneybase. All Maltese residents are automatically en- rolled and will begin earning cashbacks imme- diately. For more information and the terms visit moneybase.com/cashback Brain & Bites Series aims to turn innovation conversations into action The session explored how innovation can support sustainable food production, climate resilience and entrepreneurship while creating new opportunities for business growth