Direção de Transferência de Tecnologia do IST (TT)

Start to Spark Awards – 2025/2026

Start to Spark is a hands-on innovation program, developed within the scope of the 1st Cycle Integrative Project (PIC1), where university students turn early-stage ideas into real, impactful solutions. Throughout the program, students learn how to identify relevant problems, collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, and build something concrete, whether in health, technology, or any other field they are passionate about. Teams have the freedom to develop their ideas using hardware, Artificial Intelligence, digital tools, or conceptual prototypes.

The Start to Spark Awards – 2025/2026 Edition

Beyond the academic component, and included in the Instituto Superior Técnico Innovation and Entrepreneurship Awards competition (I&E@Técnico), the Start to Spark Awards are supported by the Santander Foundation and aim to encourage, recognize, and promote the innovation and entrepreneurship projects conceived by the teams.

Demo Day – June 1, 2026

The culmination of the program and the awards ceremony will take place at Demo Day, on June 1, 2026, in person at the Técnico Innovation Center (TIC). During this event, the teams will give the final presentation (pitch) of their projects, followed by the public announcement and award attribution session.

Prizes:

In the 2025/2026 edition, with the support of the Santander Foundation, the following prizes will be awarded:

  • Start to Spark Award – 2025/2026 Edition: €2,500.
  • Start to Spark Honorable Mentions – 2025/2026 Edition: 2 prizes of €1,500 each.

Target Audience:

  • Eligible candidates for the Awards are all Instituto Superior Técnico students enrolled in the 2025/2026 academic year in the 1st Cycle Integrative Project (PIC1) course who have chosen to participate in the Start to Spark program.
  • Eligibility for the awards is dependent on the mandatory registration of all team members for Demo Day through the Santander Open Academy platform (the form will be made available on May 1, 2026).

Applications:

Applications from May 1 to 29, 2026, through the Santander Open Academy Platform: here.

  • Applications for the Start to Spark Awards will run from May 1 to 29, 2026, using a form that will be made available on the opening date.
  • Candidates must apply for the Awards on the Santander Open Academy using the dedicated form.
  • Only applications from teams where all members have registered on the application form, with clear identification of the team/project, will be considered.
  • The application implies full acceptance of the public notice (edital) and the Regulations of the Instituto Superior Técnico Innovation and Entrepreneurship Awards Competition.
  • Anyone interested can send requests for clarification regarding this competition to: tt@tecnico.ulisboa.pt.

Awards Attribution:

The awards will be granted based on the assessment of the final pitch presented at Demo Day.
The jury will evaluate each project based on the 5-minute pitch and the team’s ability to answer the questions posed during the 10 minutes of Q&A, taking into account the following criteria, all weighing 20%:

  • The panel will evaluate the projects based on the following criteria, all with a 20% weight:
    • Problem Relevance: Is the problem in question clearly defined and significant? Does the problem respond to a real and relevant need?
    • Market Opportunity and Timing: Is there a sizable and accessible market? Does the team demonstrate awareness of the right time to enter the market?
    • Business Model: Is there a clear and viable path for value creation? How convincing is the revenue or impact model?
    • Team: Does the team have the right combination of skills, motivation, and commitment to take the idea forward? Have they validated the idea (prototype, testing, feedback)?
    • Pitch Presentation and Clarity: Was the presentation clear, engaging, and well-structured? Did the team communicate their idea effectively?

Jury:

The evaluation will be conducted by a panel consisting of members from Instituto Superior Técnico and partners from the innovation ecosystem. The jury will be composed of:

  • The Vice-President for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Instituto Superior Técnico, or a representative from the Management Board appointed by him.
  • A representative from Casa do Impacto.
  • A representative from the Santander Foundation.
  • A representative from Unicorn Factory.
  • An external guest with an outstanding track record in the area of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Deadlines and Dates:

  • Application period for the Awards/Demo Day: May 1 to 29, 2026 | Applications.
  • In-person Demo Day and date of the public award attribution and announcement session: June 1, 2026.
  • Unless explicitly stated otherwise, deadlines expire at 11:59 PM / 23:59 on the specified day.

Documentation:

 

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