AgroGrIN Tech distinguished at the Prémios Empreendedor XXI
AgroGrIN Tech, created by researchers from the Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina (CBQF) of the Escola Superior de Biotecnologia of Universidade Católica Portuguesa, was one of the ten young enterprises that were finalists in Portugal, under the scope of the Prémios Empreendedor XXI programme. An initiative promoted by La Caixa in partnership with Banco BPI Portugal, in which more than 171 start-ups/SMEs participated. Within the scope of this competition, the Agência Nacional de Inovação distinguished, through the Born from Knowledge (BfK) programme, AgroGrIN Tech as the Portuguese company that most distinguished itself in Research & Development (R&D) activities.
AgroGrIN Tech, founded by researcher Débora Campos, with the support of researchers Ricardo García and Ana Vilas-Boas, aims to be a reference at national and international level in terms of technological, sustainable and economic innovation for the full use of the waste generated by the fruit and vegetable processing industries. The application of its patented process enables the production of new functional ingredients of high economic value through this waste, allowing its reintegration into the food chain. Furthermore, the implementation of AgroGrIN Tech's process will enable companies to transition to a circular economy, thus being economically and environmentally sustainable.
The startup was born from the scientific research work developed by Débora Campos during her PhD, coordinated by researcher Manuela Pintado, at the Escola Superior de Biotecnologia of Universidade Católica Portuguesa, in Porto. For this reason, the BfK distinction in the Prémios Empreendedor XXI is the recognition for the high impact of research & development in AgroGrIN Tech's work, the basic pillar of the startup.
The AgroGrIN Tech team explains that this distinction "is the boost the startup needed for its growth and global expansion, as it is currently looking for investment to accelerate its growth process."