Bondalti concluded the first edition of the ‘Together Matters: From Purpose to Impact’ programme with a hackathon held in Estarreja, where the different projects in the competition were discussed and refined, culminating in the presentation of awards to the winning teams.
Aimed at university students from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP) and the University of Aveiro (UA), this initiative, developed as part of Bondalti's corporate responsibility strategy, challenged participants to create concrete and sustainable solutions to real industry problems through close collaboration between academia, business and civil society.
During the Hackathon, six multidisciplinary teams benefited from the support and guidance of mentors from partner organisations with a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation - Bondalti, Beta-i, Quercus and IRIS (Regional Incubator for Social Innovation) - enabling them to develop their business skills, collaborative work and direct contact with the social innovation ecosystem.
In this programme, students worked on two main themes:
- Adaptation to climate change and just transition - focusing on solutions and technologies for the water sector, with a view to increasing water security and resilience;
- Green energy and business 4.0 – focused on the development of green and renewable materials, sustainable supply chains and new business models.
At the end of the event, three teams were awarded prizes for their solutions that stood out in the different criteria evaluated:
- Bondalti Challenge Winner: Bio Tap Resin
Project description: A natural, biodegradable stimulant paste for extracting pine resin, replacing the use of sulphuric acid. The solution offers greater safety for workers, higher yields per tree and added value for companies that use resin as a raw material.
Prize: Participation in a global entrepreneurship event + €2,000 prize money
- Best Sustainable Solution: Biociclo
Project description: A solution for the production of sustainable packaging and products from Portuguese agricultural waste. The initiative aims to replace disposable plastics, add value to waste and create a positive environmental, economic and social impact through a circular value chain.
Prize: Advanced training in sustainability at BCSD + €1,500 prize money
- Best Entrepreneurship Project: Aquasense
Project description: An intelligent water leak detection system with ultrasonic sensors and real-time monitoring, capable of identifying leaks and pressure variations without interrupting the network. The solution is designed for water supply companies and consumers, contributing to reducing losses and efficient water management.
Prize: Acceleration of the idea at IRIS - social innovation incubator + €1,500 prize money
The projects were evaluated based on six fundamental criteria: Creativity, Feasibility, Clarity and Quality of Presentation, Market Potential, Impact and Sustainability, and Team Collaboration and Leadership.
With this initiative, Bondalti strengthens its ties to the university community and the region where it is based, fostering closer links between academia and industry, actively contributing to the development of new business leaders and sustainable solutions with a real impact on society.
More information about the programme here.
