Hitech 2025 Welcomes 16 Cutting-Edge Research Teams

At HiSeedTech, we are thrilled to announce the 16 research teams selected for the transformative journey that is HiTech. These teams bring together 62 researchers, with 36 women and 26 men, from 19 leading Portuguese institutions.

These teams are developing groundbreaking projects across a range of sectors, from healthcare and sustainability to robotics and artificial intelligence. Their diverse expertise and backgrounds will contribute to a vibrant ecosystem within the program, driving forward technologies with the potential to make a lasting impact in their respective fields.

Meet the selected teams:

Technology Push Track

In the Technology Push Track, 10 teams will work on developing their own deep-tech projects, driving forward breakthrough technologies that will shape industries for years to come. Here are the projects selected for this track:

1. 3D printing liquids’ systems and methods
A system that enables 3D printing with solid and liquid materials, creating multi-component systems and reducing manufacturing costs.
Institution: University of Aveiro

2. Contarget
A platform that enables real-time pathogen detection to improve food safety and public health, offering versatility, speed, and user-friendliness.
Institution:Faculty of Biotechnology of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (ESB/UCP)

3. Implementation of Mobile Robotics and Computer Vision Technologies for Business Solutions
A technology bundle that integrates mobile robots and computer vision for smarter, more efficient, and flexible automation in smart factories.
Institution: Polytechnic Institute of Viseu

4. iPROLEPSIS Games
A serious game designed with a particular emphasis on individuals living with Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) to complement current traditional treatments.
Institutions: Técnico and Faculty for Human Kinetics (FMH) from University of Lisbon

5. LignoBeauty
A process to valorize lignin from industrial by-products into sustainable cosmetic ingredients, replacing harmful fossil-based compounds.
Institution: IPB - Polytechnic Institute of Bragança

6. OrganTECH
An organoid-based technology for drug screening, offering a more accurate, ethical, and efficient alternative to animal testing.
Institution: Accelbio

7. PEPILSKIN
A technology that combines peptides and antimicrobial ionic liquids to treat skin disorders, boost collagen, and prevent infections.
Institutions: Faculty of Science of University of Porto, School of Health of Polytechnic Institute of Porto, and U.Porto Inovação

8. Pure2U
A photocatalytic technology activated by natural light to transform indoor surfaces into efficient, sustainable air purifiers.
Institutions: Faculty of Sciences of University of Lisbon and Iscte - University Institute of Lisbon

9. R-Screen
A live-cell imaging sensor that detects and quantifies R-loops enabling high-throughput drug screening for various diseases including cancer.
Institution: GIMM - Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine

10. Transformative Gene Therapy to Halt Neuroinflammation and Disease Progression
A Gene therapy targeting neuroinflammation to slow or stop disease progression in neurodegenerative conditions like Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS).
Institutions: Aila Biotech and i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health

Market Pull Track

In the Market Pull Track, 6 teams will address real-world challenges posed by HiSeedTech member companies - Costa Verde, Lameirinho, Sonae Arauco, and Utis (a company from the Semapa Portfolio). These teams will apply their cutting-edge research to create solutions that tackle pressing market needs.

1. AdDisTec-Advanced Disinfection Technologies
A platform that combines physical and chemical methods to prevent and eradicate biofilm formation in ultrapure water systems.
Institution: Faculty of Engineering of University of Porto (FEUP)

2. BioDiffuse
A coating technology that mimics nature to transform surfaces into opaque ones, offering privacy, durability, and UV/IR protection sustainably.
Institution: NOVA FCT, Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit (UCIBIO)

3. EMTex: Electromagnetic Shielding Textiles
A technology that embeds carbon nanotubes and conductive polymers into textiles, offering lightweight, flexible, and durable electromagnetic interference shielding.
Institution: Alma Science

4. FlashS
A flash sintering process that uses high electric fields to process ceramics, reducing energy costs and minimizing CO2 emissions.
Institution: CICECO, University of Aveiro

5. HydroHapClean
A process that functionalizes microparticles to prevent bacterial growth in post-treatment water processes, ensuring biofilm control.
Institution: Faculty of Engineering of University of Porto (FEUP)

6. Opak
A sustainable cellulose-based white ink offering high opacity, fast-drying, and versatile application on various substrates at reduced costs.
Institution: Alma Science

Over the next 18 weeks, these teams will engage in a dynamic mix of online tutorials, webinars, mentorship, advising, pitch presentations, and networking opportunities. The program is structured to provide hands-on experience and equip participants with the knowledge commercializon skills to help them to bring their research from the lab to the market.

Follow the journey of these teams and stay up to date with the latest updates from HiTech 2025 by subscribing to our newsletter. Stay tuned for more news and insights as we share their progress and milestones throughout the program.