«We are here. We are here to stay and we are going to prove that quality technology is made in this region». The second edition of the Algarve Tech Hub Summit started on the morning of this Wednesday, June 21st, at Penha Campus Auditorium 1.5, next to the UAlg Tec Campus, em Faro, with the great challenge of thinking of the Algarve as «a technological region».
The opening session was attended by Rogério Bacalhau, president of the Chamber of Faro, Paulo Santos, vice-president of the Algarve STP Association, Vanessa Nascimento, vice-president of the Algarve Evolution Association, Vítor Neto, president of NERA, José Apolinário, president of the Commission for Coordination and Regional Development of the Algarve, Hugo Vieira, vice-president from ANJE, and Paulo Águas, rector of the University of Algarve (UAlg).
All agreed on the need for the region to invest more and more in the area of technology.
Vanessa Nascimento defended that «continuing to train companies is fundamental».
«We are not lacking in challenges: we must continue to work together and increase the critical mass. From the Algarve to the world and not staying in our backyard», he added.
The Algarve Tech Hub Summit lasts until Friday the 23rd.
During these three days, the challenge is to "not think of the Algarve as 16 pieces of a puzzle, but as a technological region", considered the vice-president of the Algarve Evolution Association, one of the organizers of the initiative.
«I clearly remember talking about technology companies in the Algarve and people thinking that this was a bit like unicorns: they did not exist», he added.
In the opening session, José Apolinário, president of CCDR, defended that making the region more technological is an «immense challenge for everyone», but he stressed that, in addition to the means [European funds], «there is a critical mass and articulation of positions».
The person in charge of CCDRA also asked companies in the region for “an additional effort in the execution of CRESCAlgarve 2020, carrying out and presenting the investment with the financing approved and committed until the end of the year”.
On the other hand, Paulo Águas, rector of UAlg, considered that "it is good" to identify a "set of activities" for the Algarve, in addition to tourism.
«Technology is an area in which we have to invest and not only in digital nomads, but in companies that can settle in the region. Technological companies do not have to settle only in Oeiras. It's good that they come to the Algarve and some are already coming because the Tech Hub has already allowed the first steps to be taken», he added.
During the three days of the event, participants will be able to hear interventions from renowned specialists, entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs such as Ana Vaz, from ESA BIC Portugal, who will talk about the opportunities that Space can offer, Antónia Correia, professor at the University of Algarve and president of KIPT, the first and only tourism CoLab in Portugal, or João Currito (carob world) that will address the Agrotec challenges.
These are joined by names such as Remzi Aru, entrepreneur and investor in the field of Tourism who, through his experience, will transport us to the themes of the digitization of global tourism, Simon Lancaster, from Omni Venture Labs, internationally recognized as a specialist in design and entrepreneurship at DeepTecm, Aaron McDaniel, corporate manager, entrepreneur, speaker and globally recognized author, who will talk about his passion: helping companies expand into global markets, innovate and attract and develop high-level talent, among many others. other names of national and international prominence.
There will still be room to look at future opportunities that may come from the Sea, with names like Daniel Silva, from GreenCoLab, a collaborative laboratory that studies possibilities of using algae for the most varied purposes, from food to health.
The panel dedicated to BlueTec, on the last day, ends with the presentation of the second issue of magazine two, a project developed by the team of Sul Informação, which pays particular attention to innovation and entrepreneurship in the Blue Economy sector.
Show that the Algarve is the best lifestyle destination in Europe, with a mild climate and lavish nature, between the sea and the mountains, and attract entrepreneurs, digital nomads, remote workers, which participate in the local ecosystem and contribute to promoting the region as a hub Global and competitive technology is one of the main objectives of the Algarve Tech Hub Summit.
Throughout the Summit, several events of networking will promote the exchange of experiences among participants and enable partnerships.
The Algarve Tech Hub Summit operates in a face-to-face format and is open to the public, with free registration, subject to space limitations. For those unable to attend, recordings of the various panels will be made available.
Registration and complete program on the website, by clicking here.
may find here all the information about the speakers.
Photos: Pedro Lemos | Sul Informação
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