UC Tech Challenge calls on students and researchers to create innovative solutions for industry

The University of Coimbra is organising the UC Tech Challenge, inviting university students and researchers in engineering and life sciences to develop innovative ideas to tackle real-world industry challenges. Registration is open until 27 April.

The initiative will take place in person at the Department of Mechanical Engineering (Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra – FCTUC) on 30 April and will feature training sessions and activities on innovation, design thinking, entrepreneurship, and pitching. The event encourages teamwork and prepares participants to develop high-impact solutions, culminating in a final pitch to a panel of judges on the afternoon of 14 May.

The winning team will receive a €2,500 grant to attend the European Innovation Academy, the world’s largest entrepreneurship programme.

The UC Tech Challenge is organised by the University of Coimbra in collaboration with the University of Évora and the University of Trás-os-Montes, with the support of companies such as ACA Group, Dan Cake, and Sogilub.

As part of the UI-CAP project, the UC Tech Challenge is an initiative promoted by five public universities from the North, Centre, and Alentejo regions aimed at enhancing the employability of the academic community, especially young researchers (up to 29 years old), recent graduates, and master's and PhD students.

The programme includes a series of initiatives designed to equip participants with the skills needed to drive technological innovation and entrepreneurship in the regions covered by the partner universities and supports the development, refinement, and validation of business ideas that can lead to the creation of new companies and self-employment opportunities. Additionally, it provides participants with essential tools to boost their employability.

More information about the UC Tech Challenge is available here.

^{Translation: Diana Taborda}