Identification of food intolerances, early blindness screening software, and a support platform for artisans — these are the ideas that claimed the top three spots in the 2023 edition of the Startup School for Researchers, organized by UPTEC – Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto.‍

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LeGut, which developed a mini bioengineering system that precisely mimics the complex environment of the human intestine, won first prize worth €2,500. This innovation offers a fast, reliable, and cost-effective way to identify and understand food intolerances with unprecedented accuracy.

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In second place, with a prize of €1,500, was Peeking Window, whose business project promotes the screening and early diagnosis of the main causes of irreversible blindness worldwide — such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy — through reliable software services powered by artificial intelligence.

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The third prize — worth €500 — went to Rede DIA, a platform that supports creatives, crafters, and makers in building and sustaining their artisan-based businesses, offering opportunities for training and professional development, networking, and business support.

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In addition to the cash prizes awarded to these three startups, four months of free coworking incubation at UPTEC were granted to LeGut, Peeking Window, Rede DIA, and Certificado Verde. Furthermore, winners who are students or researchers connected to the University of Porto will have the opportunity to participate free of charge in the European Innovation Academy.

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The Pitch Day, held at i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, featured a jury composed of Júlio Martins (Everythink), Filipe Castro (U.Porto Inovação), Sérgio Rodrigues (Core Angels Porto), Bernardo Pequito (Beta Capital), and Tiago Gama Rocha (Porto Business School and FEUP), who evaluated the ten proposals presented.

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Alongside the three winners, the competing startups were: Asset Shield – a cybersecurity solution that enables companies to easily manage and strengthen the security of their digital assets; Bandua – a community platform for co-creation and artistic and cultural mediation; Certificado Verde – a transportation information tracking system that identifies the carbon footprint in timber sales; DAPit – environmental product declarations for construction materials that quantify environmental impact; Health Wearable – a device designed for elderly healthcare; MetaHelp – a virtual reality platform providing therapy sessions for people seeking psychological counseling in an immersive environment; and Snackisy – a line of healthy snacks with biodegradable packaging.

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The Startup School has already supported more than 200 business ideas

Created in 2013, the Startup School is a business idea acceleration program promoted by UPTEC, designed to prepare new entrepreneurs and researchers for the main challenges of creating and developing a business project.

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This edition of the program, funded by the Skills for a Next Generation U.Porto project under the POCH: Human Capital Operational Program – PT2020, began in February 2023 and enabled 26 participants from ten teams to access tools for creating innovative solutions, validating business models, and transforming research projects into successful businesses.