Supporting entrepreneurship and innovation in the areas of energy and the environment and even financially encouraging business and scientific cooperation initiatives aimed at developing these sectors, are some of the objectives of the new European projects of which CRIA - Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer Division of University of the Algarve is a partner.
The initiatives were presented yesterday, Thursday, to businessmen and researchers in a session that took place at CRIA, at the University of Algarve's Campus das Gambelas. The projects in question, financed under the MED programme, are 'Ecofunding', 'Energeia', 'SmartinMed' and 'Wider'.
The meeting led by the technician of the João-Mil Men division aimed to make the projects known, but also to welcome suggestions for structuring the activities that will be developed within its scope.
“We were presenting four new recently approved projects, of which CRIA, through UAlg, is a part. They are all financed by the European Union and aim to stimulate the energy sector in the Algarve region», described João Mil-Homens.
Since these are four distinct programs, their area of action “is quite comprehensive”, not limited to renewable energies. «Some are very focused on energy efficiency and can apply, for example, to Ecoconstruction. Others, are more comprehensive, give support to entrepreneurs who are interested in creating new businesses related to the energy sector in general», he said.
The entrepreneurship and innovation component, as is customary in the MED, a European Union Program funded by ERDF funds for the Mediterranean basin countries, is one of the key elements.
«The support that will be given will be very linked to innovation, based on new business ideas that arise both here at the university and among businessmen in the region. The idea is to make available a set of mechanisms that can leverage these businesses», explained João Mil-Homens.
Facilitators but also investors
The managing entities of this type of European project, as a rule, assume the role of facilitators, focusing more on creating instruments and bases for economic activities to flourish, but this time they will even assume the role of financiers.
"One of the projects, related to Ecoconstruction, will provide five thousand euros vouchers, for what we call innovative consortia, created between entrepreneurs and researchers, who are interested in developing innovative products, goods or services related to energy efficiency in construction », revealed.
The projects, which as a whole have a budget that «will be around 500 euros», also include logistical support for entrepreneurship, «as help in the creation of business plans and development of ideas», said João Mil-Homens.
“We will help the ideas that seem most promising to us in contacting investors and other partners in the value chain. In other words, we are going to find both partners and investors who need to leverage their businesses», he said.
Another advantage that is inherent to those who join MED projects is their international component, although none of the projects presented yesterday is specifically focused on Internationalization.
“In this four projects we have 25 partners from as many regions of the Mediterranean basin, from Malta, Cyprus, Slovenia, Greece, Italy, Spain, Serbia and Croatia. Obviously, our companies will have the opportunity to interact with those from other regions», he said.
João Mil-Homens announced that international meetings will be organized within the scope of these projects, in which the Algarve will be present. “We are going to hold regional roadshows for the companies and ideas we support. In addition, we will take our entrepreneurs and researchers to participate in international events», he revealed.
The projects are at a preliminary stage, the ideal time for entrepreneurs, researchers or anyone with innovative ideas, related to the energy sector, to get in touch with CRIA. “We are very interested in identifying partners in the region who can collaborate on these projects and benefit from them. Anyone interested should contact us at our email [email protected]», concluded João Mil-Homens.
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