UPTEC startup ends the year with three innovation awards
UPTEC startup ends the year with three innovation awards
November was a busy month for Seedsight. The deeptech startup incubated at UPTEC – Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto was the winner of the Altice International Innovation Award 2024, the “Born from Knowledge Award” from the National Innovation Agency (ANI), and the Social Responsibility Award from Exame Informática.
“These awards highlight the purpose of our mission: to promote innovation and generate value in agri-food systems, with a special focus on the cereal value chain”, emphasises Gonçalo Ramos, Seedsight’s Chief Commercial Officer.
Seedsight aims to create an online data library containing the digital signatures of various types of seeds and grains, validated through low-cost, large-scale biomolecular and biophysical analyses. The startup’s technology is capable of validating grain characterisation information using blockchain technologies, deep learning, Artificial Intelligence and optical sensors. Through the platform, it is possible to optimise the identification of the best species, origins and suppliers of seeds and grains at the most competitive prices, avoiding agri-food waste.
Seedsight Awards: evolution and internationalisation
Thanks to Altice’s International Innovation Award, the startup received a cash prize of 75,000 euros and will have the support of Unicorn Factory and Startup Braga to expand its capital and operations. The “Born from Knowledge” Award, part of the Crédito Agrícola Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award and supported by ANI, also earned the company a cash prize of 2,500 euros.
Seedsight has carried out its first pilot projects with industrial clients this year, which it intends to continue in the coming months, says the Chief Commercial Officer: “(…) our focus will be on validating the concept of our solution through the ongoing pilots. We plan to invest in the evolution of our optical analysis systems and in strengthening the technical team.”
In addition, the startup wants to strengthen its presence in international markets: ‘(…) the support received will play a crucial role in accelerating our internationalisation strategy, allowing us to expand into new markets and consolidate strategic partnerships that boost the impact of our solution,’ adds Gonçalo Ramos.
December 19, 2024