Economy Month 2026 | Innovation Market 2026: From Knowledge to Application🚀

 Science and innovation will intersect in the heart of Guimarães! On October 12th and 13th, the Guimarães Municipal Market will host the Innovation Market: “From knowledge to application,” as part of the 2026 edition of Economy Month.

More than just a technology showcase, this is a sharing space designed to create real bridges between the knowledge generated in academia, the challenges of industry, and the vision of young talent. Over two days, the objective is clear: to promote collaborative innovation, stimulate technology transfer, and bring together all the agents who are building the future of the local and regional economy.

This landmark event was designed to create real bridges between the business sector, academia, and young talent, promoting knowledge transfer and technological development in the region.

The event is structured over two complementary days, packed with activities designed to boost the innovation ecosystem:

PROGRAM

Day 1 (October 12th)
Target audience: companies

2:30 PM | Inauguration of the Innovation Market “From knowledge to application”
– Ricardo Araújo, Mayor of Guimarães
– Pedro Arezes, Rector of the University of Minho

2:45 PM | Visit to the Innovation Market “From knowledge to application”

2:45 PM | Speed ​​Meetings – Connect4Innovate (3 rotations – 15 minutes)
Empowering collaborative innovation – ENESII – Companies

3:30 PM | The future of the local economy: talent, innovation and industry
– Raúl Fangueiro, Pro-Rector for Innovation, entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer
– João Barros, President of AI² – Agency for Research and Innovation *
– Jorge Fontes, General Director of LRC – The Light Rebar Company
– Moderator: Margarida Rossi, Executive Director of the Minho Business Association

4:15 PM | Presentation of PACTC – Green Academy
– Carlos Ribeiro, President of the Landscape Laboratory

4:35 PM | Closing

_______________________________________________________________

Day 2 (October 13th)
Target audience: students, entrepreneurs and researchers

9:30 AM | Visit to the Innovation Exhibition “From Knowledge to Application”

10:30 AM | Fast Talks (10 min.)
– Careers in Innovation
– What Companies Are Looking For
– From Ideation to Market | Elisabete Sampaio e Sá, Professor at the School of Economics and Management of the University of Minho and mentor of Set.Up Guimarães

11:00 AM | Speed ​​Meetings – NextGenConnect (3 rotations – 15 mins each)
– Companies: presentation of opportunities
– ENESII: Presentation of projects and opportunities

11:30 AM | Visit to the Innovation Showcase “From Knowledge to Application”

12:30 PM | Lunch break (not included)

2:30 PM | Visit to the Innovation Showcase “From Knowledge to Application”

2:30 PM | Speed ​​Meetings – NextGenConnect (3 rotations – 15 mins each)
– Companies: presentation of opportunities
– ENESII: Presentation of projects and opportunities

3:30 PM | Presentation of the Hackathon “Hack4Guimarães 2035”

4:00 PM | Pitch of the challenges and introduction of the mentors

* to be announced

Location: Guimarães Municipal Market

The technological development and competitiveness of our region depend on our ability to collaborate and share value. Whether you represent a company seeking new solutions, a research institution with projects to scale, or a young person looking to inspire your professional career, the Innovation Market is the place to forge purposeful connections.

We invite the entire community to join us on October 12th and 13th at the Guimarães Municipal Market. Come and discover how, together, we can transform today’s knowledge into tomorrow’s innovation.

Registration for day 1 (October 12th) HERE | Registration for day 2 (October 13th) HERE