The 2024 edition of the Altice International Innovation Award (AIIA) received a total of 91 applications from various countries, including Portugal, Luxembourg, Ireland, the United States, Germany, Poland, Estonia, Spain and Croatia. From all the applications, 6 projects were selected, distributed between the two categories in the competition: "Startup" and "INCLUI" by Fundação Altice.
The finalists of the 8th edition are early-stage startups that present innovative proposals in relevant technological areas or that promote digital inclusion and communication accessibility. At stake is a total amount of 100,000 euros, allocated between the "Startup" category, worth 75,000 euros, and the "INCLUI" category by the Altice Foundation, worth 25,000 euros.
Startup" category
- EfpClinic - Through artificial intelligence and remote diagnostics, Enhanced Fertility aims to help fertility clinics make clinical decisions about diagnosis, screening and treatment that are more likely to result in births.
- N10GLED - Provides a quantum key distribution (QKD) system for long-range communications. Providing the highest level of security, it provides ultra-secure keys to encrypt information and guarantee its protection.
- Seedsight - Offers advanced quality assessment solutions for the cereals and grains industry. By combining cutting-edge technologies (Rayleigh scattering, IoT and AI-driven analysis), Seedsight offers immutable digital fingerprints of goods, providing real-time, high-precision information that allows milling companies to optimize their processes, reduce waste and improve product quality.
INCLUI" category by Altice Foundation
- Designest - A company that manufactures educational design technologies based on scientific research for people with special needs, such as autism.
- I can hear you, my son!/LYNX - The project aims to bring affordable hearing aid solutions to people with hearing limitations, taking advantage of commonly used consumer electronics such as earphones and smartphones. Lynx solutions aim to empower families, charities and other institutions with effective, low-cost hearing solutions to combat isolation and the early stages of dementia.
- Multiple Sclerosis Success - Offers a specialized suite of online wellness programs designed specifically for people with multiple sclerosis. The program offers education, support, community and resources to empower people with MS to effectively manage their disease, maintain an active lifestyle and achieve their wellness goals.
In addition to the monetary prizes, the AIIA offers the Born from Knowledge Distinction, which recognizes projects born from scientific and technological knowledge, with an additional prize of 2,500 euros. This award is given in partnership with the National Innovation Agency (ANI). In addition, the AIIA has partnerships with Startup Lisboa and Startup Braga, which support the incubation of the projects of the finalist startups.
Jury 2024
The jury for this edition is made up of:
- Ana Figueiredo, CEO of Altice Portugal
- Gil Azevedo, Executive Director of Unicorn Factory Lisboa
- Henrique Martins, Associate Professor @ISCTE-IUL, @FCS-UBI @CLSBE and Digital Consultant
- João Paulo Firmeza, General Manager of Altice Labs
- Luís Rodrigues, Executive Director of Startup Braga
- Miguel Castro Neto, Director of Nova IMS
- Rui Calçada, Dean of FEUP
- Sílvia Garcia, Executive Board Member of ANI
- Teresa Salema, Director of Altice Foundation
Since its launch in 2017, the Altice International Innovation Award (AIIA) has stood out as an essential platform for promoting and recognizing entrepreneurship and technological talent in Portugal. Through this award, Altice Portugal reinforces the country's position in the development of global innovation, boosting national talent and publicizing it in international markets.