FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Revolutionary AI-Powered Platform Launches in Malta to Combat Europe's Highest Obesity Rates Through Healthy Restaurant Discovery
MELA Restaurants Directory introduces groundbreaking MELA AI Index and technology to transform Malta's dining landscape, addressing the island's 28.7% obesity epidemic
MELLIEĦA, Malta – August 25, 2025 – MELA Restaurants Directory, a pioneering platform combining artificial intelligence with healthy dining solutions, officially launches today to tackle Malta's position as the European Union's most obesity-affected nation. The innovative platform introduces the Malta's Eating and Longevity Authority (MELA) Index, the first comprehensive rating system specifically designed to help consumers identify restaurants promoting healthy, longevity-focused cuisine.
Created by entrepreneur Violetta Bonenkamp, who has called Malta home for nearly five years and resides in Mellieħa, the platform addresses a critical public health challenge: Malta's staggering 28.7% obesity rate – the highest in the European Union – with 69.75% of the population classified as overweight or obese.
"Malta desperately needs innovative solutions to address its obesity epidemic," said Violetta Bonenkamp, founder and CEO of MELA Restaurants Directory. "Our platform uniquely combines AI technology with Malta's urgent need for healthier dining options, creating a bridge between traditional restaurants and health-conscious consumers while supporting local businesses with modern digital marketing tools."
The platform features cutting-edge AI capabilities including an intelligent chatbot that provides personalized restaurant recommendations based on dietary preferences and health goals. Consumers receive customized dining guides tailored to their nutritional needs, while restaurants gain access to sophisticated B2B services designed to increase their online visibility on Google and emerging AI platforms.
Addressing Malta's Health Crisis Through Technology
Research indicates that 53% of diners actively seek restaurants offering healthier options, with 36% willing to pay premium prices for health-focused meals. The MELA Index capitalizes on this trend by rating restaurants based on their commitment to meals that contribute to customer well-being and longevity.
"Restaurant meals typically contain larger portions and higher caloric density than home-prepared foods," noted Bonenkamp. "By providing transparency through our MELA Index and AI-powered recommendations, we're empowering consumers to make informed choices that support both their health and local businesses."
The platform's B2B component addresses a critical gap in Malta's restaurant industry, where many establishments lack comprehensive online presence. MELA Restaurants Directory offers three tiers of enhanced visibility: Essential Listing, Enhanced Profile, and Premium Showcase, helping healthy food establishments reach the growing market of health-conscious diners.
AI-Powered Solutions for Modern Challenges
The platform's sophisticated AI chatbot leverages machine learning to understand individual dietary preferences, health goals, and location requirements, delivering personalized restaurant recommendations that align with users' wellness objectives. This technology positions Malta at the forefront of AI-driven hospitality solutions, supporting the island's growing reputation as a technology innovation hub.
Early market research reveals promising adoption potential, with 71% of diners aged 20-29 actively seeking health-conscious restaurants. The platform targets multiple customer segments, including tourists exploring Malta, locals searching for dining options, and delivery customers browsing healthier alternatives.
Supporting Malta's Tourism and Technology Sectors
Beyond addressing public health concerns, MELA Restaurants Directory contributes to Malta's economic diversification by supporting both the tourism and technology sectors. The platform helps restaurants attract international visitors seeking healthy dining options while positioning Malta as a destination for innovative food technology solutions.
The launch coincides with growing global interest in health-conscious travel and dining, with international visitors increasingly seeking destinations that align with their wellness goals. Malta's Mediterranean heritage provides an ideal foundation for promoting healthy cuisine traditions enhanced by modern technology.
About MELA Restaurants Directory
Founded in mid 2025 by entrepreneur Violetta Bonenkamp, MELA Restaurants Directory represents Malta's first comprehensive platform combining healthy dining discovery with AI-powered restaurant marketing solutions. The platform features the proprietary MELA Index rating system, personalized AI-driven recommendations, and B2B services designed to help health-focused restaurants increase their online visibility and attract customers committed to wellness-oriented dining.
About Violetta Bonenkamp
Violetta Bonenkamp is an experienced startup founder with an MBA and multiple higher education degrees in technology and entrepreneurship. Named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups, she brings over 20 years of international business experience to Malta's growing technology sector. Having lived in Malta for nearly five years and based in Mellieħa, Bonenkamp combines deep local knowledge with international expertise in AI and digital platform development.
Media Contact: Violetta Bonenkamp Founder & CEO, MELA Restaurants Directory
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
