The history of the Grapoila brand dates to 2009 when the founder, Marianna Pinczés, noticed the benefits of grape seed oil and its positive physiological effects. She found the production of grape seed oil to be profitable while working on a college marketing assignment. With the technical assistance of her engineer father and a makeshift biodiesel device, she started her business at the age of 19.
The Initial Idea
The initial idea, which remains the guiding principle of the company to this day, was to produce sellable, valuable products from discarded, unused by-products in a way that minimizes waste. This concept of zero waste production has since become a globally recognized term with the rise of environmental consciousness. The value-added utilization of by-products, known as upcycling, has also become a well-known concept worldwide.
The First Grapoila Product
The company’s first ingredient was grape marc, an unused by-product of wineries, and the initial products included grape seed oil, grape seed flour, and grape skin powder. Hence, the name Grapoila (Grape + oil) originated from here. With continuous development in pressing technology, the range of ingredients expanded. Our presses eventually became capable of handling hard seeds such as sea buckthorn or milk thistle seeds. Furthermore, we discovered additional upcycling materials, such as pumpkin seeds from baby food producers, rosehip seeds from syrup and jam makers, and paprika seeds from spice paprika producers, rescuing them from disposal. Today, the company presses oil from over 20 types of seeds and produces high-quality food products (flours, gourmet seed creams, sauces), animal feed supplements, and natural cosmetics.
Research and Development
We now have our own in-house laboratory and an independent development team, offering research and development services, contract manufacturing, and private label manufacturing. We export to nearly 30 countries, from Taiwan to France, to Finland, to Israel. Grapoila products and green solutions have won numerous product and innovation awards in recent years, including 22 Great Taste stars at the world’s most prestigious blind-tasting food industry competition, the Great Taste Awards (2018-2023).
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 (National Association of Young Entrepreneurs 2023)
- 2nd place in Green Innovation and Green Economy Award (MATE Green Innovation Competition 2023)
- 3rd place for the Green Business of the Year Award (MATE Green Innovation Competition 2023)
- Environmental Protection Award 2022, Enterprise category (KSZGYSZ 2023)
- Sustainable Future Award – Best Female Leader (BCSDH, 2022)
- Greengage Supporting Tools, Educational Projects – Category Winner (PPH Media, 2022)
- European Sustainability Hero Title (Generali EnterPrize, 2021)
- Best Female Entrepreneur Award (PWA, SEED Foundation, 2021)
- Symbol of Sustainability 2020 – Lip balms in paper packaging
- OMÉK Grand Prize for mustard sauce (2019)
- Grapoila ingredients in Hungary’s Cake of the Year: 2020, 2021, 2022
- Grapoila ingredients in Hungary’s Sugar-Free Cake of the Year: 2021.