Overview.

HiTech is a hands-on programme by HiSeedTech, specifically designed for research teams developing deep-tech projects in Portugal.

Over 18 weeks of training, workshops, and mentoring, HiTech provides research teams with essential knowledge commercialisation skills, empowering them to transform cutting-edge technologies and scientific discoveries into high-growth business opportunities.

Since its launch, more than 900 researchers have participated in the programme, with the involvement of 140+ business experts, contributing to the creation of 81 startups by HiTech alumni. 43% of Portuguese EIC Accelerator and 36% of Portuguese EIC Pre-Accelerator grantees started their journeys with HiTech.

HiTech helps research teams to:

Link science and technology to product and market needs.
Communicate scientific results effectively to business and investor audiences.
Evaluate commercialisation strategies to move technologies from the lab to the market.
Align their research with Horizon Europe’s goals to increase impact and improve dissemination and exploitation outcomes.

HiTech combines two complementary tracks:

Technology Push Track: Teams focus on exploring the commercial potential of their own deep-tech projects and developing pathways towards commercialisation.
Market Pull Track: Teams address real-world challenges proposed by HiSeedTech Associates and companies within their portfolios, applying their research and technological expertise to industry-driven opportunities.
Explore the HiTech 2027 Market Pull Challenges.

Throughout the programme, participating teams receive support to:

Develop a comprehensive business case for a product or service concept based on their research.
Create a compelling pitch presentation that clearly communicates their business case and value proposition to potential investors and industry leaders.
Explore collaboration opportunities with HiSeedTech’s member companies to address industry-specific challenges and potentially form strategic partnerships.

Want to see the programme in action? Watch the testimonials from the HiTech 2026 teams.

Applications for HiTech 2027 are open until 5 February 2027. Apply to HiTech 2027

Who
Can Apply?

HiTech is open to:

R&D teams from universities and research centres.
Start-ups developing early-stage deep-tech projects.

Eligibility criteria:

Teams must consist of two to five members.
The project must be a deep-tech innovation with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) above 2.
Teams must be affiliated with a Portuguese university, research centre, or start-up.
These criteria apply to both the Technology Push and Market Pull tracks.

Applications for HiTech 2027 are open until 5 February 2027. Apply Now!

What
are the costs?

HiTech does not involve any fees for participating teams. The programme is supported by HiSeedTech's member companies as part of their corporate social responsibility commitment to fostering technology-based innovation in Portugal.

However, before applying, teams should consider:

There are organisational costs involved in running the programme, so ensure that you have the time and commitment to participate fully throughout its duration.
Participants are expected to dedicate 6-8 hours per week to programme activities.
There is a 'moral' penalty for teams that withdraw after the programme has started, as doing so prevents another team from taking part in their place.

How
it works?

The HiTech 2027 edition will run from 2 March to 30 June 2027. The programme combines training, mentoring, and continuous feedback to help research teams transform their deep-tech projects into market-ready solutions. It includes:

Weekly online sessions (Tuesdays, 14:30-16:00): Focused on business case development, guiding teams step by step towards commercialising the technologies they bring to the programme.
Webinars (every other Tuesday, 16:00–17:00): Seven sessions covering key topics such as technology commercialisation, intellectual property, pitching, and funding opportunities.
Weekly assignments: Practical deliverables that allow participants to apply the concepts learned in each session directly to their projects.
Support sessions (every other Tuesday, 16:00-17:00): Optional sessions offering additional guidance for preparing weekly assignments.
Biweekly mentorship: Each team is supported by two dedicated mentors, who provide personalised business guidance.
Pitch presentations: Each team delivers three pitches—an initial pitch introducing their technology, a mid-programme pitch presenting the value proposition of their deep-tech project, and a final pitch during the HiTech Closing Session.
Advisory Sessions: Held before the mid-term and Closing Sessions to help teams fine-tune their pitches.

Throughout the programme, teams:

Develop a business case for a product, service, or process concept grounded in their technology.
Pitch their projects at the HiTech Closing Session to an audience that includes HiSeedTech's member companies, pre-seed investors, and corporate ventures.
Complete the programme with a clear commercialisation pathway.

HiTech 2027 key dates:

Applications: 9 November 2026 - 5 February 2027
Selection process: 8-12 February 2027
Announcement of results: 16 February 2027
Programme: 2 March-30 June 2027

Apply to HiTech 2027

Want to learn more before applying? Join one of our online or in-person Information Sessions to discover the programme and get your questions answered. Explore the HiTech 2027 Information Sessions

The
concept.

HiTech is the entry-level programme within HiSeedTech's portfolio of initiatives, designed to support the commercialisation of technologies emerging from scientific research while equipping participants with the essential skills required for successful technology commercialisation.

The follow-on initiative to HiTech supports participating teams in further developing their business case and beginning the search for funding from dilutive sources (e.g. venture capital) or non-dilutive sources (e.g. Horizon Europe funding) to advance their projects.

Finally, a subsequent initiative will guide participating teams through the three key pathways to turn their business case into impact:

Start a venture.
License the technology to an existing company.
Partner with an organisation to further develop the technology.

	Watch the pitches from previous teams:
2026: Circle, DeepWood, FlexForge, GlioBrain-Plate, NEXUS, OBSIDIAN, PEROVflex, PetriTag, SPARCS, Y-Sense
2025: 3D Printing Liquids, AdDisTec, Aila Biotech, BioDiffuse, EMTex, HydroHapClean, iPROLEPSIS Games, LignoBeauty, OPAK, OrganTECH, PEPILSKIN, Pure2U, R-Screen
2024 (part of European Project S3E): BioScreen, Blood2Power, BreastScreening-AI, C-Anal View, CPSE, DOPANTS, EcoPlan, GENESIS, miRALS, NemaTeam, OncoMagnetoSweep, OncoMets, THYMI, UP WIND.
2023 (part of European Project S3E): BioMEMs, Cancer Therapeutics, Carbon^2, CAVI, DVS@FunNanoSurf, EditUp, EPF3Bio, HEKA Vision, HTS INKS, MARCIA, Met Lab, Nano INK, Sumatrix Biotech
2022: BioElectroFilm, BioReboot, Fykia Biotech, HuTissue, MyoChip, PURR.AI, SENSEPREDIC, Smart Photonics, TINK
2021: Bactometer, CryoDES, Heartware, i-Grape, MOON Therapeutics, N9VE, NEVADA, PurifY
2020: ACS20, Ceramics4All, Chemi-Tumor, DIAGONAL, GOTech Cardiovascular, M9'Calibre, Metabofind, Phyergy, PureDNA, Self Stacked Systems
2019: AMTC- Anti-malarial combination therapy, CLEVER, ENKI HydroTec, IR Bactyping, NewAlgaFeed, Nitrogen Sensing Solutions,TripleHope
2018: 2Resource, AntiBioCoat, Aqua in Silico, GlassLink, GlycoDiagnostic, OncoAdvanC+, Plastics-4B, PPK, SensiNOV, Targ.Tex, UNI.Value