NOVA impACT! Challenges 2024: meet the winning teams!

The 2024 edition of NOVA ImpAct! Challenges, the program created by the NOVA Impact office and Santander Universities, held its Demo Day this Wednesday, showcasing the best projects aimed at solving social and environmental problems. The winning teams each received a cash prize of €2,000 to further develop their projects.

Here are the winning teams:

Circular Foods from NOVA SBE: Circular Foods aims to reintegrate industrial food waste into a new portfolio of healthy and accessible food and beverage products. These products are designed for customers who struggle to find natural alternatives in the market, with a positive impact on both the planet and the community. The project stands out by prioritizing physical and mental health through natural, upcycled ingredients and offering competitive prices thanks to its circular business model. Team members: António Vidinha, Carolina Piloto, José Sarmento, Carlota Moura, and Carlos Morais.

EnsinAI from NOVA IMS: EnsinAI empowers students with an AI-powered tutor and gamified platform that provides affordable and engaging education, addressing the shortage of teachers and the high cost of private tutoring. In one line: Quality, engaging, and fun education that is affordable. Team members: Lourenço Martins and Miguel Neto.

Honourable Mentions:

Sangue.PT from NOVA ENSP: Sangue.PT aims to develop an app for efficient blood management to reduce waste and increase blood donations. It incentivizes blood donors through tailored appeals based on geolocation and current blood type needs. The digital platform also supports education and maintains medical records. Team members: Ana Beatriz, Ana Silva, Elisa Bucho, Francisco Ferreira Pinto, and Gonçalo Lobo.

DentAR Kids from NOVA ENSP: DentAR Kids offers a solution to alleviate children’s fear of visiting the dentist. It includes an app to familiarize them with procedures before consultations and augmented reality glasses during consultations to make the experience less frightening. This approach improves treatment effectiveness, saves time and materials for clinics, enhances working conditions, and provides children with a better overall experience and oral health. Team members: Amância Trindade, Mafalda Almeida, and Carolina Santos.

The jury included Isabel Rocha (Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation, and Value Creation at NOVA), Nuno Comando (Director of Entrepreneurship and Social Investment at Casa do Impacto), Bárbara Leão (Impact Investments Manager at 3XP Global), and Nuno Simões (Head of Santander Universities).