EKOFUNGI

At the beginning of her career, during graduate studies in biology abroad, the founder of EKOFUNGI (EF) learned that knowledge is an irreplaceable capital. This principle has stood the test of time, because all innovative solutions (today recognised globally as the “EF direction” in the mushroom growing technology) were created by applying knowledge to solve problems, improve profitability, and sometimes to just survive. With the “open source” model, the solutions are transferred from ECOFUNGI to interested SMEs globally, through the EF school. The most important technology method is producing the substrate for growing mushrooms, based on cellulose waste from the environment. This method eliminates energy consumption and CO2 emissions. ECOFUNGI has become the only circular company in this part of Europe (OECD) and one of the few organically certified mushroom producers. EF based its final product market on the AMAZON US platform, where it is the only company from Serbia to be registered as a brand.

EF is a small company that was created and survives, based on consistent adherence to its principles and on breaking down prejudices. From the fact that mushroom production was started by a highly educated woman (who believes that science and practice must merge) through the construction of the first innovative greenhouses in 2003, to the application of its own (and other people’s) innovative solutions – EF has won a distinct global standing today. EF is a know-how provider, and it is also recognised as the only brand that has overcome all obstacles orelated to independent access to Amazon US. EF realises the ideas of its employees and founders, fully aware of the fact that Serbia is a country of small expensive products. These ideas have been confirmed as a “winning formula” now by others worldwide. There is today a whole network of SMEs operating on the EF model and we see that as one of our greatest achievements confirming that we’ve chosen the right principles of conducting business. Owing to its knowledge-based solutions EF has overcome many crises while their impact is still felt globally. The most critical phase was going through the imposed privatisations. With voices of the public companies ignored and the state showing limited overall interest in the SME sector, life of entrepreneurs was very difficult for decades. That is why EF completed its investment independently in the immediate production environment.