Smart Open Lisboa: Meet the partners of SOL Housing

Smart Open Lisboa: Meet the partners of SOL Housing

Smart Open Lisboa is back again, in its vertical SOL Housing, dedicated to upgrading Lisbon’s City Life. This vertical has a broad spectrum of opportunities in several areas: assisted living, retail experience, infrastructure and more.

The best way to identify them is to get to know the major players partnering with the programme!

CML – Lisbon’s Municipality

Our goal is to make Lisbon one of the most competitive, innovative and creative cities in Europe. We often hear in major international media that “Lisbon is the new Berlin” or the “New Silicon Valley” to refer to the dynamics of innovation and entrepreneurship that is happening in Lisbon for the past six years. Much of what has been happening is the result of strong ambition and a global and actionable strategy that federates multiple stakeholders, positioning Lisbon in a growth and innovation trajectory unprecedented in its recent history.

Housing Partners

SONAE SIERRA

Sonae Sierra is an international retail real estate company dedicated to serving the needs of investors. We develop, manage and invest in sustainable retail assets and provide investment, architecture & engineering and property management services for clients in geographies as diverse as Europe, South America, North Africa, and Asia, while creating shared value for our business and society.

Sonae Sierra decided to embrace this open innovation program because we are a company with a strong background on Innovation, that is always searching for state-of-art solutions that allows us to reinforce our business competitiveness and our compromise with sustainable development. With this partnership we expect to benefit from the startup’s expertise in different areas, like big data, sensors, devices, etc, to improve our know-how and internal operations, but also contribute to their development and if possible to work with the most relevant ones in a near future. 

Ricardo Rosa, Head of Innovation

EPAL

EPAL is the oldest and largest Portuguese water supply company, with 150 years of outstanding history and has long been the reference supply company in the water sector, both in Portugal and internationally. The company provides drinking water to approximately three million people, covering 1/3 of the population, with the responsibility to design, build, operate and manage the water supply and sanitation systems for which it is responsible, including all related activities and businesses.

Developing products and services in the form of innovative solutions and incorporate them into our operations, with the amazing contributions of our technicians expertize, is one of the ways EPAL gets engaged with the smart cities developing programs. It’s also a consistent evidence of our ability to share solutions in the interests of a more efficient water use. EPAL, Smart Open Lisbon Housing program and all startups involved, will certainly leverage strategic innovation in water services and will contribute to improve the quality of the citizens’ lives and to the social and economic development of the cities.  

GALP

Galp is positioned as an integrated energy player that develops profitable and sustainable businesses, aiming to create value to its stakeholders. It explores and produces oil and natural gas, and generates and markets electricity. Galp’s strategy is based on a resilient E&P portfolio, embedded with an efficient and competitive downstream business, supported by innovative and differentiating solutions that promote the transition into a low carbon economy. 

The company believes that ensuring the protection of people, the environment and assets, as well as the communities it operates in and adopting ethical conduct is crucial for its actions and strategic execution.

MOTA ENGIL RENEWING

Mota Engil Renewing has the mission to be the reference in promotion and operation of Cities’ Renewal, in tight collaboration with municipalities, and responding to the most pressing challenges and needs facing cities and citizens in terms of energy, mobility and housing.

They are a Smart Synergy Provider of Infrastructures and Services, managed by digital platforms (IoT), in the areas of Smart Energy – Smart Charging – Mobility – New Housing, developing integrated, differentiated and competitive solutions, adapted to the reality of each Client – Cities, Companies and Citizens. 

2At ME Renewing, we always seek differentiated ways and approaches to respond to and mitigate the problems and challenges that cities face today, whether in energy management, electric mobility or in the housing and real estate market. In the area of New Housing, we are developing and implementing alternative solutions to business as usual, giving priority to Housing-as-a-Service, managed by digital platforms, adding a set of services that make life easier for citizens, areas where the company operates, such as energy, smart charging and mobility solutions, in a global competitive and differentiated offer.”

GEBALIS

GEBALIS has managed, for the past 22 years, the municipal housing districts in Lisbon, ensuring an integrated management policy based on criteria of proximity, improving the quality of life of resident populations and heritage conservation. GEBALIS’ activities are supported by an operating structure located in several points of the city, covering 66 Districts and about 22 949 housing units.

Associated Partners

SANTA CASA (SCML)

Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML) is the oldest and biggest Portuguese charity and its mission is to improve the quality of life of the individuals and communities in the city of Lisbon and to contribute to the well-being of its underprivileged and vulnerable citizens, irrespective of their age or social problems. 

SCML is best known for his Social Action and for ensuring the exploitation of the State Social Games in Portugal, but also carries out important work in the areas of Health, Education and Teaching, Culture and Promotion of Quality of Life.

NOS

NOS is the biggest communications and entertainment group in Portugal. It offers the latest generation fixed and mobile phone, television, Internet, voice and data solutions for all market segments. It is the leader in Pay TV, new generation broadband services and in cinema exhibition and distribution in Portugal. NOS is part of the main Portuguese stock exchange index (PSI-20), and has more than 4.7 million mobile phone, 1.6 million television, 1.8 million fixed telephone and 1.3 million fixed broadband Internet customers. 

CISCO

Cisco designs and sells a broad range of technologies that have been powering the Internet since 1984. Across networking, security, collaboration, and the cloud, our evolving intent-based technologies are constantly learning and adapting to provide customers with a highly secure, intelligent platform for their digital business. 

“Entrepreneurship and innovation are in the DNA of Cisco, who has been a partner of the SOL program since the first edition. It is thus with great naturalness and enthusiasm that we are once again present and, together with the startups, we seek to solve the future challenges of Mobility and Urbanism. “

Sofia Tenreiro, General Manager at Cisco Portugal

AXIANS

Axians is the VINCI Energies brand dedicated to information and communications technology (ICT) and the digital transformation challenge. We answer to all ICT needs through human-centered methodologies with differentiated solutions in telecoms infrastructures, cloud, and data centers, enterprise networks, digital workspace and data analytics. Cybersecurity is a priority within all these areas. The best of ICT with a human touch.

Axians is proud to partner with Smart Open Lisboa. As a startup implementation program devoted to effectively upgrade city life, it fits exactly with our role in society: to improve the life of people, through the meaningful ICT  we deliver to our clients. And our VINCI Energies’ way of life is in fact fueled through an entrepreneurial spirit. We truly believe that the key to a smarter and prosper city lies on startups and big corporate companies cooperation, learning from each other, evolving and preserving that unique human touch, at the heart of digital transformation.

Pedro Faustino, Board Member, Axians Portugal

TURISMO DE PORTUGAL

Turismo de Portugal is the National Tourism Authority in charge of promoting, improving and guaranteeing the sustainability of tourism as one of the most important economic activities in the country. As part of the Ministry of Economy, it groups together all the institutional powers related to invigorating tourism, from supply to demand. 

“Turismo de Portugal is actively involved in shaping the future of smart cities and implementing projects that solve their challenges: SOL acceleration program enables the development and showcasing of solutions to overcome these challenges and promote sustainable cities. Sustainability is one of our tourism policy priorities and it’s a key driver to innovation.”

Luis Araujo, Presidente do Turismo de Portugal

SHARING CITIES

The Sharing Cities ‘lighthouse’ programme is a proving ground for a better, common approach to making smart cities evermore efficient. By fostering international collaboration between industry and cities, the project seeks to develop affordable, integrated, commercial-scale smart city solutions with high market potentialities. The project draws on €24 million in EU funding. It aims to trigger €500 million in investment and to engage over 100 municipalities across Europe. 

At three strategic locations – London, Lisbon, and Milan – the programme will demonstrate the effectiveness of new technologies in improving urban mobility, increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and reducing carbon emissions.

TOMI

TOMI WORLD is a Portuguese technology company that created and developed TOMI, which is an innovative and interactive urban solution that delivers all information that matters in the right place at the right time. TOMI’s goal is to bring cities closer to people who live, work and travel in it.

Currently, TOMI WORLD has offices in Portugal, Brazil, UK, and China and is planning to open offices in main cities across the world as part of its internationalization process. 

Do you have a solution that you would like to test with these market leaders? Don’t waste one more minute – apply to SOL Housing!

Why Your Startup Should Apply to Smart Open Lisboa Housing

Why Your Startup Should Apply to Smart Open Lisboa Housing

What makes SOL Housing, the new Smart Open Lisboa vertical, the place for your startup? Explore the reasons why you should consider participating in the programme if you have a startup with a solution for these challenges: urban management & smart infrastructure, construtech, proptech, resource efficiency, smart homes, buildings & retail properties, home care & assisted living, customer & community experience and financial services.

1. Work directly with Lisbon’s Municipality

smart-open-lisbon-housing-1

Lisbon is a city that is now going through a lot of changes: the birth of several innovation hubs, the foreign investment, real-estate development and several programmes from the municipality to invest in the upgrading of the city’s quality is making it a perfect hotspot for new projects to be tested and applied.

Through this programme, you will be working directly with the partners – in this case, Lisbon’s Municipality is the main partner of the programme and you will get access to the decision makers.

2. Test your solution in different industries and sectors

In Smart Open Lisboa, you’ll get the opportunity to test your solution in different industries and sectors, co-operating with different partners of the programme.

You can read here about some of the pilots being developed in the last vertical.

3. Meet prospective clients and the key players in the industry

smart-open-lisbon-housing

By joining Smart Open Lisboa, you will get to make partnerships with utilities and companies working actively in the city, and the chance to use their resources and develop a long-lasting relationship. Get to know the amazing partners of SOL Housing here.

4. Equity-free programme

The main goal of the programme is to promote the cooperation between startups and companies – you don’t need to give up any equity of your company to join.

5. Applications are closing soon

The applications for SOL housing, the new vertical of Smart Open Lisboa, are closing on the 13th of February. So, don’t waste any time and click here to apply now!

5 reasons you should attend Lisbon Investment Summit #LIS

5 reasons you should attend Lisbon Investment Summit #LIS

The Lisbon Investment Summit, also known as #LIS, will be back on 6th and 7th of June to our sunny city. The surprisingly informal and slightly unexpected startup conference will bring together the best startups and investors. Here are the top reasons why you don’t wanna miss it!

1. #nobullshit

This is the event’s motto and the main reason why you don’t wanna miss #LIS. This is not an event that appeals to vanity, there’s no fancy clothes, intro or awards – it aims for real content and people with valuable knowledge in their fields.

As Aptoide said: “#LIS is an environment where things happen. During lunch, we casually met a potential investor that ended up leading our Series A round of investment. This was a crucial milestone that ultimately helped us to reach over 3 billion downloads and over 140 million users.

2. People

Lisbon Investment Summit is an event with a perfect mix of people: the most daring startups, seasoned and savvy investors and most innovative corporate executives. This makes for unique conversations and an open and collaborative mindset. At every corner you’ll have the chance to meet someone inspiring and innovative, and who knows? Maybe they’ll be your next business partner, or better yet, a friend.

3. Startup Pitch Competition

If you’re a startup, you’ll want to apply to the startup pitch competition. Even though the event has an investor-packed crowd, on the competition you’ll have undivided attention, and pitch next to the best and most innovative startups in the scene.

You’re eligible for the competition by purchasing startup tickets to attend – hurry up and get an early bird Founder 2×1 ticket – and filling out a form.

If you’re an investor, here’s the place to see all the up-and-coming startups in the same place.

4. Environment

Ask anyone who has attended previous editions – Lisbon Investment Summit has one of the best floors out there. It’s completely informal, and conversations (and business deals) just flow organically. The event prides itself on being a place where investors don’t hide their badges, and that’s because of the open and collaborative environment created by every person there. You don’t attend #LIS, you are part of #LIS.

5. City of Lisbon

Dinner with strangers in a trendy restaurant? Networking on a boat across the Tagus river with a view of the city? Hell, yeah! Part of the reason Lisbon Investment Summit has such a cool ambiance it’s because of its amazing backdrop: the lively and welcoming city of Lisbon. We’re not psychics but we predict sunny weather, warm temperatures, amazing sights, and exciting side events. Oh, and of course, a bustling and thriving startup ecosystem that you’ll get to know and connect with!

Excited yet? Claim your #LIS tickets here!

Or take a look at the dreamy photos of last year’s edition in the gallery below!

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Free Electrons’ applications are open!

Free Electrons’ applications are open!

Applications are open for Free Electrons – the first truly global acceleration program, that connects the most promising startups with leading utilities in the energy sector. The program seeks to find solutions in the mobility, clean energy, smart grids, and digitalization.

On March 13th, the startups selected for the bootcamp (happening in Dublin) will be announced.

Just like the last edition, the program will have 3 modules: the first in Columbus, in the North-American state of Ohio, in May; the second in Hong Kong, China, in June; and the last module will happen in Lisbon, in September, when a winner will be announced – winning a $200.000 prize.

In its 3rd edition, Free Electrons already has a successful history: several pilots began business partnerships between the startups and the utilities and last edition’s winner, SOLshare, is revolutionizing the energy market in Bangladesh, where over 50 million people still can’t access the electrical grid.

Partnering up

The founders of Free Electrons are Ausnet Services (Austrália), DEWA (Dubai), EDP (Portugal), ESB (Irlanda), Innogy (Alemanha), Origin Energy (Austrália), SP Group (Singapura) e Tokyo Electric Power (Japão). In 2018, the American Electric Power (USA) and CLP (Hong Kong) also joined the program, with the program being powered by Beta-i.

These 10 utilities of the energy sector have, together, around 80 million clients and are located in more than 40 countries – which gives mature energy startups the chance to go global by accessing these partners.

Applications are now open until the 22nd of February.

Five FAQs about SingularityU Portugal Summit Cascais

Five FAQs about SingularityU Portugal Summit Cascais

We have been talking about SingularityU Portugal Summit Cascais for a long time now, but it is completely natural that there are still some doubts about it. To clear them out, here are some frequently asked questions about this one of a kind event.

What is SingularityU Portugal Summit Cascais?

SingularityU Portugal Summit Cascais is the first event about exponential technology taking place in Portugal. Exponential technology refers to technologies that double in power or processing speed every year.

The event will bring the world’s leading speakers and experts on exponentially accelerating technologies together with Portuguese leaders of today and tomorrow to give the knowledge and insight needed to compete and win in an exponentially changing world.

Where and when will it be happening?

As its name suggests, SingularityU Portugal Summit Cascais will happen in the sunny city of Cascais, in the newly inaugurated Nova SBE Campus. October 8th and 9th are the selected days to this summit organized by Câmara Municipal de Cascais, Beta-i and Nova SBE and supported by Galp Energia, Ageas, and Semapa. Write them on your planner.

What will be the main topics?

Over the course of two days, you’ll hear from world experts in exponential technologies, from Silicon Valley and beyond, and learn what the implications are for you. From governance to neuroscience, there will be space to discuss economics, the future of organizations, exponential energy, the human potential and the future of education and jobs.

Who is coming?

On stage there will be more than 20 speakers, including well known speakers, such as Esther Wojcicki, considered the most influential educator in contemporary times, David Roberts, one of the main specialists in the world in disruptive technology, Amin Toufani, a specialist in emergent economies and finance, Vivienne Ming, a neuroscientist, technologist and entrepreneur named one of Inc. Magazine’s 10 Women to Watch in Tech, amongst others.

Will I just listen to these world leading speakers?

Besides talks and debates, there will be one stage dedicated to workshops and showcases, a way of creating an engaging experience and not just a regular summit, where you listen and go home.

In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to meet all the speakers as well as the chance for networking in a high-level environment, trying all kinds of tech demos and trying out the delicious catering option, an important factor at any summit.

I want to go. How can I confirm my presence?

There are still some tickets available, but if you really want to go you must confirm your presence ASAP. You can get your tickets to these extraordinary two days here.

See you there!