«Web Summit 2023: i3S Brings Porto's Health Innovation to the Spotlight», by André Albergaria
Amidst the buzz of Web Summit 2023 in Lisbon, the Porto city emerged as a focal point, showcasing its commitment to cutting-edge projects on municipality, tourism, innovation, talent and entrepreneurship.
The eighth edition of this transformative event, held from November 13-16, drew in around 70,000 attendees. Notably, a record-breaking 2,600 startups unveiled their groundbreaking ideas, initiatives and infrastructures.
Invited by the Porto City Council, the i3S took stage at the Web Summit 2023, showcasing its pivotal role in the health innovation ecosystem. The Porto City Council's pavilion became a hub of initiatives and projects, where conversations, pitches, and presentations unfolded, providing a glimpse into the dynamic activities catalyzing innovation in the city.
The overarching themes of entrepreneurship, investment, talent, and tourism were at the forefront of Porto's presence at the largest European tech event. The i3S, in particular, seized the opportunity to spotlight its disruptive journey of innovation under the theme "Unleashing Porto's Health Potential: A Disruptive Journey of Innovation".
The success of i3S's presence can be attributed to the significant networking opportunities within the Porto pavilion. This unique setting allowed for the alignment of steps, strategies, activities, and partnerships related to innovation, involving the Porto City Council. These efforts are poised to bring substantial benefits to the health innovation ecosystem in Porto and to i3S in particular.
Positioned as a powerhouse of translational research and innovation in healthcare, the i3S showcased its transformative impact on the city—forging collaborations with healthcare stakeholders, empowering patients, and fostering a stronger community.
i3S, represented by André Albergaria and Bárbara Macedo from i3S Research & Innovation, took the Web Summit stage to present the i3S health ecosystem anchored in three key impact areas:
1. Innovation: Encompassing partnerships for value creation, technology transfer, and support for startups.
2. Clinical Activities: i3S engagement in clinical diagnostics and molecular screening for the community, clinical involvement for translational and clinical research with hospitals and pharmaceutical industry, and living labs for remote monitoring.
3. Science and Society: Initiatives focused on patients and citizens, promoting health literacy, and actively involving the community in healthcare endeavors.
The i3S's participation at Web Summit 2023, held from November 13-16, not only showcased its achievements but also laid the groundwork for future collaborations, ensuring that Porto's health potential continues to thrive on the global innovation stage.