The Municipality of Matosinhos, in partnership with UPTEC—Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto, is promoting the fourth edition of BluAct, a programme to support the growth of the blue economy that is looking for startups with innovative business ideas, particularly those with solutions that impact the sustainability of the water sector and the canning industry.
All the selected startups will benefit from a mentoring program to support the development of their business models and prepare for presenting their business projects at the final event.
The winner of BluAct will receive 5,000 euros, a prize offered by INDAQUA Matosinhos, and free participation in the next edition of UPTEC’s School of Startups. In addition, the top three ranked will have access to free incubation at UPTEC Mar for a year, while the project with the most significant impact on the canning industry will receive 2,500 euros from Conservas Portugal Norte.
The programme will support ideas and/or business projects related to fishing, fish processing, conservation and marketing; aquaculture, bio-resources and blue biotechnology; ports, transport and logistics; naval industries and marine energies; boating and nautical tourism, as long as they affect the economy of the sea.
The BluAct 2024 workshops will occur on November 21 and 22 at UPTEC Mar. The final event to present the projects will take place on November 26 at 11:30 a.m. at Antiga Fábrica Vasco da Gama.
The fourth edition of the program is promoted by Matosinhos City Council, in partnership with UPTEC, INDAQUA and Conservas Portugal Norte. It aims to support the growth of projects linked to the blue economy in the northern region. Applications are open until November 11.
