26 November 2024
The BioTapResin team, comprised of researcher Nalin Seixas, Ph.D. student Inês Farias, and Professor Armando Silvestre, achieved third place in the Empreende+ business ideas competition. This initiative, organized by UACOOPERA under the STEP UP – University of Aveiro Entrepreneurial strategy, aims to foster technological entrepreneurship and support the creation of new businesses.
This year’s edition set new records, with nearly 30 business ideas presented by members of the University of Aveiro (UA) academic community, as well as external participants who included current or former UA students on their teams.
Nalin Seixas explains that the BioTapResin project focuses on developing a new class of resin-stimulating pastes to replace the traditionally used sulfuric acid-based paste. She highlights, “Our stimulating paste will be formulated with natural, biodegradable, and non-toxic compounds that, in addition to increasing resin production yields, prioritize the safety of individuals working with these materials daily. Furthermore, these pastes can be optimized to prevent soil contamination and tree damage, enhancing both their environmental and economic advantages.”
The team described their participation in the competition as highly constructive, noting that, “The experience challenged us to think more strategically and to communicate the impact of our ideas with clarity. It strengthened our ability to transform science into sustainable solutions. It was also incredibly rewarding to learn about other ideas, which broadened our perspective on innovation, market dynamics, and future opportunities.”
The monetary prize of €2,000 will play a crucial role in advancing the next steps of the project and accelerating its development. In addition, participating teams will receive continued support from the Center for Entrepreneurship to validate and implement their business ideas.
The BioTapResin team emphasized that winning this award is a significant recognition, validating their hard work, dedication, and the relevance and impact of their project. They concluded with an inspiring message: “This is an additional motivation to continue pursuing our goal of creating a more sustainable and responsible future.”
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