Entrepreneurs Bring Their Ideas to Life in the Bloom Your Biz #Porto Acceleration Programme
Fifteen entrepreneurs presented 12 business ideas at the Demo Day of the Bloom Your Biz #Porto Acceleration Programme, marking the conclusion of an intensive entrepreneurial capacity-building journey. Before a panel of judges, partners and invited guests, participants showcased projects that reflect talent, creativity and determination, demonstrating both the potential of their ideas and the progress achieved over the past few months.
Held on 30 June, the Demo Day marked the culmination of the programme's business acceleration process, promoted by the Aga Khan Foundation Portugal in partnership with the Universidade Católica, Porto Campus, through its Cross-Disciplinary Area of Social Economy (ATES). The programme aims to foster a more diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in the city by supporting entrepreneurs in the development of sustainable, impact-driven business ideas.
Over the past few months, participants developed their ideas through a structured programme of training, mentoring and tailored support, acquiring skills in leadership, communication, marketing, financial management and business model development. Demo Day represented the culmination of this journey, providing participants with the opportunity to pitch their projects and demonstrate not only the viability of their ideas but also the personal and entrepreneurial growth they achieved throughout the programme.
At the opening session, Isabel Braga da Cruz, Pro-Rector of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, stressed that "when academia connects with the community, knowledge is transformed into impact." "It is through this connection that we find some of the most meaningful examples of social innovation, inclusion and human development," she added, encouraging participants to make the most of this opportunity to "learn, grow and believe in the potential of their ideas."
The projects presented reflected the diversity of talent across the city of Porto, spanning a wide range of sectors, including sustainable fashion, the creative industries, social impact initiatives, wellbeing, illustration, handcrafted products and the promotion of cultural diversity. Despite their different areas of focus, all shared a common ambition: to transform skills, passions and life experiences into purposeful businesses with a positive social impact.
The event also featured a multidisciplinary judging panel, which recognised the quality and potential of the projects presented. At the end of the session, three projects were awarded: 1st Prize – Miasà; 2nd Prize – Ikiway; 3rd Prize – TilloMethod – unPlug.
More than a competition, the Demo Day provided a space for celebration, learning and networking, where entrepreneurs had the opportunity to share their stories, receive constructive feedback and establish new connections with partners from the entrepreneurship and social innovation ecosystem.
The journey, however, does not end here. Following the Acceleration Programme, the projects now enter a new phase through the Incubation Programme, where they will continue to benefit from specialised support, mentoring and access to Bloom Your Biz #Porto's network of partner incubators, strengthening the conditions needed to transform their ideas into sustainable, impact-generating businesses.
Bloom Your Biz #Porto continues to establish itself as a programme that believes in people's potential and in the power of entrepreneurship as a tool for inclusion, empowerment and social transformation.