Ideas Born to Stay: Arrisca C Distinguishes Innovation and Entrepreneurship at IPN
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Instituto Pedro Nunes (IPN) hosted the final of the Arrisca C Business Ideas Competition on April 8, 2026, recognizing innovative projects with an impact on the Central Region.
Promoted by the University of Coimbra (UC), within the scope of the INOVC+ project — Innovation Ecosystem for the Transfer of Knowledge and Technology in the Central Region —, Arrisca C continues to establish itself as one of the main drivers of scientific and technological entrepreneurship. For over a decade, the initiative has contributed to the emergence of academic spin-offs and startups, encouraging the development of ideas in strategic areas such as energy, health, digital technologies, culture, and bioeconomy.
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In this 14th edition, more than €71,000 in monetary prizes and development support were awarded, distributed across five categories: Innovation, Junior Innovation, Social Innovation, Sustainable Innovation, and Innovation in Culture, Tourism and Heritage, reflecting the diversity of proposals and the scope of the competition. Among the distinguished projects are NanoSenol in the Innovation category, CLEA in Sustainable Innovation, Discovery in Social Innovation, Water Shield in Junior Innovation, and CypherPlug in Culture, Tourism and Heritage.
The president of IPN highlighted the direct link between the competition and the innovation ecosystem established within the institution. João Gabriel Silva stated that "many of the ideas that emerge in the Arrisca C competition later appear as startups here [at IPN]", pointing to "a perfect continuity" between the initial phase of the ideas and their incubation. According to the director, the competition fulfills an essential function by stimulating reflection and the maturation of projects, helping to understand "what are the characteristics of an idea that makes sense and has potential".
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The session was marked by the presentation of the 15 finalist projects in pitch format, before a specialized jury composed of representatives from INOVC+'s partner entities. More than competition, the event proved to be a space for sharing, validating, and growing the ideas presented.
With over 1,300 participating projects throughout previous editions and more than one million euros awarded in prizes, Arrisca C consolidates itself as a launching platform for ideas that often transcend the competitive stage and evolve into concrete solutions in the market, contributing to innovation and development in the Central Region.
.jpg)
Instituto Pedro Nunes (IPN) hosted the final of the Arrisca C Business Ideas Competition on April 8, 2026, recognizing innovative projects with an impact on the Central Region.
Promoted by the University of Coimbra (UC), within the scope of the INOVC+ project — Innovation Ecosystem for the Transfer of Knowledge and Technology in the Central Region —, Arrisca C continues to establish itself as one of the main drivers of scientific and technological entrepreneurship. For over a decade, the initiative has contributed to the emergence of academic spin-offs and startups, encouraging the development of ideas in strategic areas such as energy, health, digital technologies, culture, and bioeconomy.
In this 14th edition, more than €71,000 in monetary prizes and development support were awarded, distributed across five categories: Innovation, Junior Innovation, Social Innovation, Sustainable Innovation, and Innovation in Culture, Tourism and Heritage, reflecting the diversity of proposals and the scope of the competition. Among the distinguished projects are NanoSenol in the Innovation category, CLEA in Sustainable Innovation, Discovery in Social Innovation, Water Shield in Junior Innovation, and CypherPlug in Culture, Tourism and Heritage.
The president of IPN highlighted the direct link between the competition and the innovation ecosystem established within the institution. João Gabriel Silva stated that "many of the ideas that emerge in the Arrisca C competition later appear as startups here [at IPN]", pointing to "a perfect continuity" between the initial phase of the ideas and their incubation. According to the director, the competition fulfills an essential function by stimulating reflection and the maturation of projects, helping to understand "what are the characteristics of an idea that makes sense and has potential".
The session was marked by the presentation of the 15 finalist projects in pitch format, before a specialized jury composed of representatives from INOVC+'s partner entities. More than competition, the event proved to be a space for sharing, validating, and growing the ideas presented.
With over 1,300 participating projects throughout previous editions and more than one million euros awarded in prizes, Arrisca C consolidates itself as a launching platform for ideas that often transcend the competitive stage and evolve into concrete solutions in the market, contributing to innovation and development in the Central Region.
