BluEco Award by Indaqua-Matosinhos of 5 thousand euros
The 2nd edition of BluAct, the entrepreneurship competition that aims to stimulate the blue economy in a sustainable way, already has a winner.
The award ceremony took place during this afternoon at the Salão Nobre da Câmara Municipal de Matosinhos after the presentation of the four projects in competition, the "Fykia Biotech", the "ISS - Inclita Seaweed Solutions Lda", the "Filtercork" and the "Windcredible".
The Mayor of Matosinhos, Luísa Salgueiro, opened the 2nd edition of Bluact highlighting the importance of projects like this in our future and the facilitating role that the municipality has proposed to have in supporting the development of innovative business ideas, sustainable and linked to the economy of the sea.
"The important thing is that with this program we have been able to spur, stimulate, incite, challenge the business world and very young companies to participate" said Luisa Salgueiro. "This development strategy that brings together entrepreneurship, knowledge and the sea is to be continued. Congratulations to all", concluded the Mayor.
Composed by representatives from the Matosinhos municipality, UPTEC and Indaqua, the jury evaluated the projects, taking as criteria the innovation or technological potential, the business potential, the speed of market entry or existence of MVP - Minimum Viable Product, the sustainability and environmental impact potential, the potential for job creation and impact on the community, and the skills and complementarity of the team.
"Filtercork", "ISS - Inclita Seaweed Solutions Lda" and "Windcredible" were the three finalists.
The prizes awarded to the finalists include incubation in UPTEC Polo do Mar for one year, access to the acceleration program for companies supported and promoted by UPTEC and membership in Forum Oceano - Association of Economy of the Sea, with exemption of membership fee in the first two years, if they are constituted as a company.
Filtercork", the winning business project that demonstrated greater feasibility from the point of view of sustainability and environmental quality, was also awarded the BluEco Award by Indaqua-Matosinhos, in the value of five thousand euros.
Filtercork's business idea consists in the commercialisation of an innovative adsorbent, granulated cork coated with iron, which is used as a filling in adsorption columns used in the removal of arsenic from water for human consumption. This product has a low production cost (around 10x lower than the market price of existing products) and the basic raw material comes from a natural and renewable source, with environmental advantages. It does not require post-treatment after application.
Manuela Álvares, councillor for the Environment and Energy Transition of the Matosinhos City Council, closed the award ceremony.
"Celebrating entrepreneurship, innovation and the ability to move towards carbon neutrality based on the economy of the sea is a source of pride. Congratulations to all participants. You can count on us", concluded the local councillor.
Also present at the closing session of the 2nd edition of Bluact were the Vice Mayor, Carlos Mouta, the Councilman for Sports and Financial Management, Vasco Pinho, the President of the Parish Councils of Matosinhos and Leça da Palmeira, Paulo Carvalho, and the President of the Parish Councils of São Mamede de Infesta and Senhora da Hora, Leonardo Fernandes.
BluAct is a program to support the growth of the economy of the sea, which aims to support innovative business ideas, especially intensive in knowledge and technology, and to promote the creation of skilled jobs, boosting the economy of the municipality of Matosinhos.
BluAct was born from the European URBACT network and the good practices associated to the creation of start-ups in the sea economy vector, involving seven European port cities: Matosinhos (Portugal), Piraeus (Greece), Burgas (Bulgaria), Mataro (Spain), Ostend (Belgium), Galati (Romania) and Salerno (Italy).
In the second edition of BluAct, now without the European Network seal, the Municipality of Matosinhos has a network of partners: CEIIA, CIIMAR, CITEM, FÓRUM OCEANO, INDAQUA, INEGI, INESC-TEC, LIPOR, SONAE, SUPER BOCK GROUP and UPTEC- Science and Technology Park of Porto University.
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