This Thursday, in Viseu, the first edition of ViseuINOV took place, a meeting that brought together business leaders, investors, higher education institutions, local government representatives and organizations linked to innovation and social impact. The event was promoted by SILIA – Ethical Innovation Ecosystems, in collaboration with the Municipality of Viseu and the Nguzu Project, with the aim of bringing together talent, knowledge, companies, investment and territory.
The program started at 10:00, at Casa da Ribeira, with the Strategic Session "Viseu 2026–2029", which included the presentation of the strategic plan of the Municipality of Viseu for the innovation area, a case study on the evolution of Beira Interior between 2013 and 2025 and the proposal to create a working group to support Viseu over the next three years. The morning also included a presentation dedicated to tourism and gastronomy in the municipality.
After a working lunch at Palácio do Gelo, participants visited the Visabeira Group. At 4:30 PM, at the Multipurpose Pavilion integrated into the São Mateus Fair, the first Territorial Conferences Session took place on the theme "Investing in Strengthening the Portuguese Innovation Ecosystem — Why Viseu? Talent and Investment", with five panels dedicated to the role of higher education institutions, social innovation, organizations, large companies and municipalities.
Among the participants were representatives from the Polytechnic University of Viseu, University of Maia, University of Beira Interior, CCDR Centro, municipalities of Viseu and Covilhã, Visabeira Group, Purem Tondela, Rock & Dão, Nguzu Project, SEA, DIG-IN, M21, N2W and Palace Restaurant. SILIA's president, Maria Maltez, argued that the goal is not to create yet another innovation ecosystem, but to "give system to what already exists", connecting needs, knowledge, talent and investment and transforming these relationships into concrete projects.
