National Innovation Award 2026 honours UPTEC startups

Two companies from the UPTEC – Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto community were honoured at the fourth edition of the National Innovation Award (PNI). Sigma Easy Charge won the "Utilities" category, and its co-founder and CTO, Augusto Costa Franco, received the Innovation Champion Trophy. Biofabics, a UPTEC graduate company, was given an honourable mention.

The Sigma-WPT project is the first European wireless charging system for electric vehicles using GaN semiconductors, operating above 300kHz. With an efficiency of 93%, already validated in the lab, the technology does away with cables for charging electric cars, allowing charging through the pavement. It earned Sigma Easy Charge the win in the "Utilities, Mobility and Infrastructure" category.

"This is a highly significant recognition for Sigma. It's another 'validation portal' for the work we've been developing to transform the way energy is managed and used, contributing to a smarter, more efficient and more sustainable energy transition," note representatives of the startup, founded in 2024 by Augusto Franco, Paula Sousa – both former students at the University of Porto's Faculty of Engineering (FEUP) – and Luís Machado, with support from Adriano Carvalho, a professor at FEUP.

"In a sector undergoing profound transformation, this award shows that it's possible to develop, in Portugal, disruptive technology of high added value, capable of meeting the challenges of electrification, smart energy management and the growing integration of renewable energy," they add.

Augusto Costa Franco, Sigma's CTO, was also singled out, "with enormous pride, but also with a deep sense of responsibility," receiving the "Innovation Champion Trophy."

For the team of entrepreneurs, this trophy "represents the daily recognition of the whole team. For a Portuguese startup, being honoured among projects of national standing is a hugely important validation of our vision," they say.

More than just a recognition, the company sees this PNI distinction as "an incentive to keep innovating and to accelerate the development of solutions with real impact." They are currently in a phase they describe as one of "strong technological and business growth."

Sigma's focus is now on developing an intelligent energy management platform, incorporating AI-powered features that will make wireless charging increasingly smart, efficient and autonomous. It's worth noting that, earlier this year, the U.Porto spin-off secured investment from MEXT – Mota-Engil Next, the innovation and venture capital arm of the Mota-Engil construction and engineering group.

At the same time, they are focused on scaling their solutions and "on expanding into new markets, while also strengthening collaboration with strategic partners at home and abroad."

"Our goal remains unchanged: to develop Portuguese smart wireless charging technology that helps accelerate electric mobility and the building of a more efficient, sustainable and intelligent energy system, putting innovation at the service of the energy transition," they conclude.

Honourable mention for Biofabics

Biofabics, meanwhile, received an honourable mention for its Thermask project. This is a very thin, resilient material made of tiny fibres (nanofibres), built into prototype protective masks against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats, as well as thermal camouflage solutions. This innovation strengthens the autonomy and security of European defence through the use of advanced materials.

Pedro Costa, the company's CEO, received the award, which he sees as a highly significant recognition. "This validates the real impact of our technology and our commitment to turning advanced scientific research, developed in Portugal, into cutting-edge technological solutions with global reach," he stresses.

Biofabics received U.Porto spin-off status in 2020 and also passed through UPTEC, having now graduated from it. Specialising in biofabrication, microfluidics and bioreactors, it develops innovative technologies such as environments resembling the human body for cell cultures, as well as lab-grown synthetic textiles for the fashion industry.

Based in Porto, the startup stands out internationally for developing lab-grown skin, wool and hair substitutes, and has already secured millions of euros in European Commission funding.

The company is currently in a phase of international expansion and technological diversification. "We are applying our advanced in vitro models, organ-on-a-chip technology and microfluidic systems to an ever-broader range of areas," says Pedro Costa.

Biofabics' work spans not only biomedicine but also very diverse fields such as aquaculture and animal nutrition, sustainable agriculture, the circular economy and even defence. "To keep up with this growth, we're leading and joining new European consortia and preparing to industrialise and automate our production processes," he concludes.

This was the fourth edition of the National Innovation Award, a joint initiative by Jornal de Negócios, Banco BPI and Claranet, with Nova SBE also serving as institutional knowledge partner. Thirteen winners were honoured and ten honourable mentions awarded, out of 116 applications received.