Read about the incredible collaborations that were created between food and drink businesses and Australian students.
In an inspiring partnership, the University of East Anglia (UEA), Deakin University in Australia, and the Tastebuds Collective have embarked on a unique collaboration connecting students with prominent food and drink businesses: MindFoodly, Tex-Deb Tamales, The Rose Pub & Deli, and Ankose.
This collaboration bridges academic insights with real-world challenges, empowering students to contribute innovative solutions in sustainability, marketing, and community engagement. The businesses benefited from fresh perspectives, while students gained invaluable experience tackling practical industry issues.
Key Highlights of the Collaborations
MindFoodly: students focused on a macro and micro market analysis, competitor analysis, social media strategy and MindFoodly's strong USP. Many of the recommendations were towards starting up the business and the marketing strategy to ensure the business reaches the correct consumer.
"The student's work provided valuable insights, reinforcing our confidence in MindFoodly and enhancing our market understanding. As a founder, it's easy to get too close to the idea, so an outside perspective grounded in thorough research has been invaluable. I would highly recommend this programme to other businesses too - it is a no brainer!" - Rakesh, MindFoodly
Tex-Deb Tamales: Students spent time creating a growth strategy for the business to go full-time in the future along with new product development opportunities and market demand. Recommendations included creating a business website for authenticity and ease of ordering along with a full-time employment strategy.
"We thoroughly enjoyed the experience of working with the graduates from the Deakin University and would highly recommend any business to take part if the opportunity arose. I am now at that stage where I must decide if I am going to put in the investment to take my business to the next level - or remain as I am.
The advice I have been given by the team will be crucial in helping me make my decision. However, for me, the most valuable thing the team delivered was their passion and belief that I have a good business – and a great product.
The team have given me the confidence and reassurance that I do have something special - and for this I will be forever grateful to them". - Debi, Tex-Deb Tamales
The Rose Pub & Deli: students worked incredibly hard on local competitors, USP models, customer segmentation and how to create a true experience from arriving at the Pub & Deli. Recommendations were taken very well for the team to take on board with their new attraction.
Ankose: students worked on data on social supermarkets and food banks, along with the need for organisations such as themselves to support residents, with a wealth of information to take to Councils as evidence. Ankose were left with excellent recommendations to support their food sustainability challenge.
The Impact
The collaboration underscores the power of academia-business partnerships, where student creativity and knowledge align with the ambitions of food and drink enterprises. This has become an annual opportunity for Tastebuds food and drink businesses, so let us know if you would like to be involved.
Stay tuned as the results of these collaborations unfold and inspire more joint ventures in the future!
