UPTEC partners with ECOTROPHELIA Portugal 2024
UPTEC partners with ECOTROPHELIA Portugal 2024
The 8th edition of the ECOTROPHELIA Portugal Award will bring together students from across the country at the Alfândega Congress Centre in Porto, promoting innovation and sustainability in the agri-food sector.
On July 12th, the Alfândega Congress Centre in Porto will host the 8th edition of the ECOTROPHELIA Portugal Award, an event that highlights innovation and sustainability in the agri-food sector. Organised by PortugalFoods, in partnership with UPTEC — Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto, the competition will feature eight finalist teams comprising more than thirty young students from various universities across the country. The teams will present innovative and sustainable food products to a discerning jury.
UPTEC will award the most innovative project with four months of incubation and participation in the Startup School, which provides access to mentorship, training, and events. Maria Oliveira, Executive Director of UPTEC, will be present at the event as a juror, evaluating the competing ideas.
The projects presented must reflect new market trends and adhere to the principles of the circular economy, offering solutions that combat food waste and promote sustainability. The winning team will have the honour of representing Portugal in the ECOTROPHELIA Europe competition, which will take place in October at the SIAL Paris fair, one of the largest agri-food events in the world.
The ECOTROPHELIA Portugal Award, organised by PortugalFoods since 2017, is under the High Patronage of the Presidency of the Republic. In addition to UPTEC, the list of initiative partners includes the Porto City Council, ANI – National Innovation Agency, APCER, PORTIC – Porto Research, Technology & Innovation Center, and various sponsoring entities, such as Crédito Agrícola, Águas Monchique, Vieira de Castro, Novarroz, Primor, Grupo Monchique, Super Bock, Delta, All the way Travel, SPI – Portuguese Society of Innovation, and CBS – Creative Building Solutions.
The national competition of the ECOTROPHELIA Portugal Award has already borne fruit at the European level. In 2020, the OrangeBee project, developed by students from the University of Aveiro, won the European competition with a fermented preparation made from aquafaba, orange jelly, and pollen. In 2022, Portugal shone again with Handy Rice, a dehydrated snack made from rice and yacon, achieving second place on the European podium.
ECOTROPHELIA promotes the agri-food sector since 2017
Organised by PortugalFoods since 2017, the ECOTROPHELIA Portugal Award promotes innovation, entrepreneurship, and competitiveness in the agri-food sector, challenging students, professors, researchers, and industry professionals to develop eco-innovative products.
PortugalFoods, as the managing entity of the Portuguese agri-food cluster, comprising 190 members, including companies and entities from the national scientific system, is committed to promoting innovation and internationalisation. By enhancing the competitiveness of the Portuguese agri-food sector, the organisation is dedicated to ensuring the success of its members.
July 4, 2024