by ricardomarvao | Feb 14, 2018 | Startups
What moonshot idea would you develop that would impact the lives of a billion people in the next 10 years by applying exponential technology to address a global grand challenge?
Last week on February 6th, applications for the first SingularityU Portugal Global Impact Challenge (GIC) closed with 56 completed applications, just over the country average for the first GIC program. For Portugal, a country of just ten million people, that is a very respectable number and one we feel very comfortable with.
What was perhaps the most remarkable was that the applications received, came from all over Portugal and so far, demonstrate excellent quality of ideas, proposals and solutions to transform major industries. The applicants not only address some of the world’s grand challenges in education, environment and governance but we have also received innovative ideas for solutions in health, an increasing field in Portugal but also Space and much more.
The majority of the ideas come not only from entrepreneurs, but also from intrapreneurs, an expression coined for those working in large organizations, involved in innovative, seemingly riskier startup projects. And as hoped the bulk of solutions submitted make use of exponential technologies, the most popular being blockchain but also machine learning, artificial intelligence, biotech, nanotechnologies and virtual & augmented reality.
During the course of this week the applications will be assessed by selected community evaluators and Singularity representatives on criteria such as the use of exponential technologies, impact and scalability and the profile and ability of the candidates submitting the idea. The selection process will not be easy but soon the first finalists of the 2018 SingularityU Portugal Global Impact Challenge will be announced.
The Global Impact Challenge is just the first in a series of activities that will catalyze and build the SingularityU Portugal community and assemble talented individuals and groups able to address and transform major industry and change the lives for billions. Beta-i, Cascais Municipality and Nova School of Business and Economics organizers of the 2018 SingularityU Portugal GIC and partners, Cascais Municipality, and Fundação Alfredo de Sousa invite all to take part, attend and meet the finalists during the SingularityU Portugal GIC Pitch Event on the February 26, 2018 at Centro Cultural de Cascais starting at 2PM.
To register please do so here. We look forward to seeing you there. The winner receives a seat at the SU Ventures Incubator Program, a 10-week program that fosters the development of viable start-ups (for profit or not-for profit) at the Singularity headquarters NASA Research Park in California.
by Carolina Santos | Jan 12, 2018 | Corporates
2018 is the year to go far and beyond which is pretty much the same thing as saying it’s the year to continue to go global but better than ever. And Beta-i is going global without any fear. Proof of that is how we started the year, with two huge international programs one of them focused on Portugal. And this is just the beginning.
The first one is the Global Impact Challenge, that aims to foster moonshot innovations and startups that positively impact the lives of people living in Portugal, with an ability to scale and impact a billion people worldwide in 10 years. The challenge brought by SingularityU Portugal comes to our country for the first time after being in countries like Brazil, Canada or Norway.
The other one is Free Electrons. Yes, Free Electrons is back with its amazing USD 200,000 prize, no strings attached. This program is an opportunity for later stage energy startups to gain access to not one, not two, but eight giant utilities, including EDP, TEPCO, innogy and origin, which can help them expand and scale into new markets.
What’s in it for the startups? A lot. Beta-i going global means nothing if startups don’t go global with us. It’s an opportunity for startups to get to know different markets, explore their pilot and have investment opportunities. All of this, of course, if they try, because you know what they say if you never try you’ll never know.
How can startups try to go global? It’s as simple as applying and dates are the following: Global Impact Challenge applications close on February 6, 2018 and Free Electrons applications close on February 23, 2018. We’re rooting for all of you.
by Carolina Santos | Jan 11, 2018 | Startups
Do you have portuguese nationality or are you a portuguese citizen? Are you 21 years old or older? Are you an accomplished entrepreneur, technologist or scientist? Are you willing to launch an impact-focused startup? Never heard of Global Impact Challenge? Well, then read this post because it may change your life.
It’s the first time Global Impact Challenge comes to Portugal and the reasons are our growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, of our talent, drive and dedication. Let’s rise to the occasion and prove they made the right call coming here and show them we’re able to impact people’s lives in Portugal as well as in the world. Because the truth is we were never a country to run away from a good fight.
The purpose of the SingularityU Portugal Global Impact Challenge is to foster moonshot innovations and startups that positively impact the lives of people living in Portugal, with an ability to scale and impact a billion people worldwide in 10 years.
There are twelve global grand challenges you can address and they are: energy, environment, food, shelter, space, water, disaster resilience, governance, health, learning, prosperity and security. Despite the big range of choices Global Impact Challenge prefer those focused on three specific challenges and those are: environment, governance and learning.
The applications close on February 6, 2018 and the pitch event – where only 5 to 10 startups will go – as well as the winner will be announced on February 26, 2018 in Cascais. What is the prize? The winner receives a seat at SU Ventures Incubator Program, which is a 10-week program that fosters the development of viable startups. Where? In Silicon Valley. Where else?
