A studio for the production of animated series and films, kits for homemade preparation of dog biscuits or a product to control infections caused in bivalves in fish. The 20 winners of the contest “Ideias em Caixa”, promoted by CRIA – Division of Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer of the University of Algarve (UAlg), in partnership with ANJE and NERA, with the support of CRESCalgarve 2020, are already known.
In total, last Wednesday, 14 July, six first prizes were awarded: one for each area (Research and Technological Development – R&DT, Cultural and Creative Industries and Information and Communication Technologies – ICC/TICE, Agrifood, Health and Well-Being, Renewable Energy, and Sea), and 14 honorable mentions, from 7th to 20th place.
In the R&DT sector, the idea Solving Acqua, Sol. Aquacultura was selected, which consists of the creation of new products to control infections caused by parasites perkinsus olseni e Amyloidium ocellatum, in bivalves and fish, solving problems identified in the aquaculture sector, for which solutions are not known. The team is made up of Joana Leal, Maria de Lurdes Cristiano and Patrícia Amado.
In the ICC/TICE sector, the winning idea was Stork Animation Studio, an animation studio for the production of animated series and films, targeting international studios and creating dynamics with the cultural sector in the Algarve. The team is made up of João Carrilho and Ana Gralheiro.
In Agroalimentar, Bake My Dog Happy was distinguished, a production of kits for homemade preparation of dog biscuits, containing a mixture of natural and functional ingredients (including local products and by-products), shape/mold, recipe and information label. In this case, the team is composed of Luisa Custodio, Margarida Silva, and Tiago Braga.
In Health and Wellness, the idea was distinguished PolyQure, a gene therapy for the treatment of polyglutamine diseases, which cause severe and highly disabling motor and cognitive symptoms, leading to premature death.
«Pre-clinical studies already carried out, in animal models, have shown significant improvements both at the motor and at the neurological level. The team is made up of Adriana do Vale Marcelo, André Filipe da Conceição, Clévio Nóbrega and Rebekah Gonçalves», tells UAlg.
In the Renewable Energy sector, the idea was selected SmartOpt, an engineering company specializing in zero energy balance buildings (NZEBs), develops products based on renewable energies for integration in buildings, in the performance of the usual functions of facade elements, but also as solar and thermal energy generation system, in order to reduce energy consumption. The team is made up of Fábio Gonçalves and Karol Bot.
In the marine sector, the winning idea was ROT+, an automated and self-optimizing system for monitoring and controlling rotifer crops in liquid medium, capable of collecting, exporting and relating information to enhance the performance of these crops and the value chains that with them they begin, namely aquaculture, scientific research, public aquariums and aquarium hobby/production of ornamental fish. The team is made up of Gil Martins and João Pires.
Simultaneously, the Regional Entrepreneurship Conference ReStart Algarve took place, whose main objective was to stimulate entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial initiative through the testimony of 14 businessmen and women entrepreneurs, from various sectors of activity and at different stages of development of their companies.
Ricardo Mariano (Timing Portugal), Amélia Santos (Innuos), João Currito (Carob World), Ricardo Gonzalez (Luxury on Two wheels), João Bastos (Sun Concept, Solar Boat Builders), André Silva Sancho (Blowplastic), Marta Lourenço ( Pure Be Loved by Nature), David Pedro (Metsys), Leonardo Mariano da Silva (Breakfast Away), Melissa Rito (Rejoice), Pedro Cavalheiro (ISAT), Edgard Marcondes (WeHub) and Miguel Silva (MTI) told their story of life and that of their companies under the watchful eye of around 120 male and female entrepreneurs, approximately half of whom participated online.
The event also had the participation of Marco Galinha, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Grupo BEL.
For Hugo Barros, executive director of CRIA, the day these awards were given had «inspiring interventions that show that the Algarve is full of creative and entrepreneurial people, who create businesses in the most varied sectors, employment and wealth».
"The region needs more companies and more innovation, and our role at the University of the Algarve, in partnership with other agents, is to actively contribute to make that happen," he said.
This seventh edition of Ideias em Caixa received 144 applications, involving 265 promoters, the vast majority with qualifications at the bachelor, masters and doctoral level, and which, according to Hugo Barros, «has been one of the most challenging editions for the Jury of the Competition given to the quality of the proposals, the qualifications and commitment of its promoters'.
The 20 awarded business ideas will benefit from specialized technical support in preparing business plans, finding financing and facilities, as well as various support services sponsored by companies in the region.
The best ideas in each of the six areas in the competition received a check for 5 thousand euros each, through funding from CRESC Algarve and with the high sponsorship of Caixa Geral de Depósitos.
Comments