On May 14, 2025, at 2:15 PM, another edition of Innovation Day will take place under the theme "Innovation to Impact the Future." This year, the event is part of the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Faculty of Biotechnology (ESB) at Universidade Católica Portuguesa and is an exclusive gathering dedicated to technology transfer and the impact of innovation on the industry. This annual event connects research and development (R&D) with innovative solutions for the industry, providing a platform to showcase technological solutions, prototypes, and products that are shaping - or have the potential to shape - the market.
May 14, 2025 | 2:15 PM | Carvalho Guerra Auditorium
The event agenda will be announced soon.
The event brings together business leaders, innovation agents, startups, and researchers to drive economic development and enhance business competitiveness. The Faculty of Biotechnology and the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF), with their long history of collaboration with the industry, serve as the starting point for discussions on how academia can act as an innovation engine, accelerating knowledge transfer to companies.
This year, we highlight the importance of new products, technologies, and prototypes developed in collaboration with the business sector, providing a practical insight into how applied research can lead to concrete and innovative solutions for today's industry challenges.
Progamme
2:15 pm
Reception and registration of participants
2:30 pm – 3:15 pm
T4EU Science Café: Innovation and Impact in Industry (*Session in English)
- Céline Abecassis-Moedas, Pro-Rector for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Universidade Católica Portuguesa
- Guido Bortoluzzi is Full Professor of Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship at the Department of Economics, Trieste University
- Ricardo Simões, Head of Innovation, CCDR-Norte: MODERATION
3:30 pm – 4:45 pm
ESB Innovation Pitches
- Skin4Skin: Upcycling rabbit skin for human skin applications
Viviana Pinto Ribeiro, CBQF Researcher
- Microwave and gravity hydrodiffusion: a green solution to valorize agricultural by-products
Ezequiel Coscueta, CBQF Researcher
- Method for obtaining an indicator of presence for Alzheimer's disease using EEG signalsPedro Batista Ribeiro, CBQF Researcher
- CATALYSE - Catalyzing scientific innovation into food safety action
Diana R. Fonseca, CBQF Researcher
- Tecmafoods - Insect Based Feed & Food
Vasco Esteves, CEO Insect Based Feed & Food
- Simplyeast: An Innovative Business Model Driving a Sustainable Protein Future – Brewer’s Spent Yeast
João Calixto, Simplyeast – Quality & Innovation Manager
- Sustainable valorization of aquatic resources for the production of bioactive ingredients and alternative proteins
Sara A. Cunha, CBQF Researcher
- New lactic acid bacteria for preventing infections with Listeria species
Sérgio Sousa, CBQF Researcher
- Freetilizer – Technological innovation in the valorization of organic waste
Miguel Ramos, Industrial Technologies Researcher - Pipe Masters
- Boosting Pineapple Side-Streams to Zero: Steps towards Scale-Up
Débora Campos, CBQF Researcher and Founder and CEO of AgroGrIN Tech
4:45 pm – 5:30 pm
Networking Coffee
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Session: Accelerating Innovation for the Market
Opening
- Paula Castro, Director of the Higher School of Biotechnology
- Jorge Portugal, General Director of COTEC Portugal
Round Table
Moderation: Manuela Pintado, Director of CBQF
- John Melo, CEO of Digestiva (USA)
- André Almeida, CEO of ETSA
- Ricardo Figueiredo, CEO of Cortadoria Nacional do Pêlo
6:30 pm
Closing
Isabel Braga da Cruz – Pro-Rector of the Catholic University of Portugal for the Porto Regional Centre
With the support of:
Funded by the European Union. Project number 101136754
