TekPrivacy and Halo NeuroAI, both startups incubated at UPTEC – Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto, were chosen to take part in Protechting, an international open innovation programme. The companies were competing against more than 600 international candidates for this initiative by the Fidelidade group, carried out in partnership with the Chinese Fosun Foundation, Hospital da Luz Learning Health and the Peruvian insurer La Positiva.

TekPrivacy specialises in the creation and development of solutions that ensure data protection management for companies, with tools that simplify compliance with the GDPR and data protection obligations.

Most recently, the start-up created Tek-Risk, a tool aligned with the European Union’s data strategy, in particular with the Health Data Space, which allows for the precise calculation of the privacy risk associated with processing a specific dataset for secondary use. “Personal information, once transformed, is rigorously assessed, enabling the end user to minimise risk without compromising the usefulness of the data for, for example, scientific research, trend analysis/studies, the development of new products and/or services, amongst others,” explains Luís Antunes, CEO of TekPrivacy.

Halo NeuroAI combines generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) with a non-invasive neural interface, enabling communication for people who are unable to use their voice. Through a network comprising an app, a browser extension, an AI digital assistant and a portable headband that converts neural signals into words – Halo – the startup’s solutions can be used by patients suffering from aphasia and severe cases of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Following Matching Day, an event where the selected startups met the mentors who will support them throughout the programme, participants will now embark on a two-month journey of bootcamps and pilot tests with partner organisations, enabling the validation of their products. The programme will conclude with a roadshow to China, where the companies will be able to explore partnership and collaboration opportunities.

About Protechting

Supported by Fábrica de Startups, Protechting is a startup accelerator that enables projects in the fields of insurance, healthtech, technology and sustainability to carry out pilot projects and develop their solutions in an international environment.

Now in its 8th edition, the programme has selected seven Portuguese projects from a pool of 20, which includes startups from Spain, Norway, Denmark, France, Brazil, Peru, China and Singapore. Since its inception, Protechting has facilitated the development of 70 pilot projects.

26 March 2026