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Start to Spark – The Entrepreneurship Challenge


by IT on 31-01-2025
Entrepreneurship Challenge biomedical sciences mathematics chemical engineering biological engineering
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The "Start to Spark" challenge is a new initiative to ignite creativity, foster collaboration, and equip students with essential entrepreneurship skills. This program offers participants a unique opportunity to develop impactful ideas and projects across various fields, including healthcare, life sciences, well-being, and the environment.

Organized into multidisciplinary teams, students will engage in a structured, hands-on journey. The challenge spans several stages, including conception, prototyping, and pitching, providing students with practical experience in real-world entrepreneurial processes. Along the way, teams will have access to a wide range of online resources, curated through a dedicated learning hub, and will benefit from mentorship opportunities with entrepreneurs, founders, and industry experts.

The initiative is led by a team of lecturers and entrepreneurs from Instituto Superior Técnico, Instituto de Telecomunicações, CEGIST, and IN+. The organizing team includes Ana Vieira (CEGIST/IST), Tânia Varela (CEGIST/IST), Miguel Preto (IN+)/IST), Hugo Silva (IT/IST), our Innovation & Entrepreneurship Manager Joana Pinto, and the biomedical master's student Filipa Neves.

 

Who is eligible to participate?

This first edition of "Start to Spark" invites students from diverse academic backgrounds, including biomedical sciences, management, mathematics, and biological and chemical engineering. The challenge is integrated into the “Integration Project” curricular unit for students enrolled in LEBiom, LEBiol, LEGI, LEQ, and LMAC programs. The goal is to guide students through a practical and enriching entrepreneurial journey. Over 15 weeks, it is expected the students gain valuable experience in developing and pitching their ideas, culminating in a presentation on Demo Day to industry leaders and investors.

 

Applications are now open on Fénix (IST).


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