In the 3rd edition of the Innovation Award, held on Sunday in Tavira as part of the XII Mediterranean Diet Fair of the Algarve, the company Momodoro won first place. This company was founded by young food engineers who graduated from the University of Algarve and presented a proposal for crispy snacks aimed at children and babies, enriched with macroalgae produced in Portugal. The opening session was led by Maria de Lurdes Carvalho from CCDR Algarve, who highlighted the importance of the initiative as a tool for promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and the ability to transform endogenous resources into opportunities for sustainable development.
Thirteen applications were submitted, which received more than 1500 public votes, valuing endogenous resources such as carob, medronho, honey, figs and algae, among other identity products of the region. DreamGuru came in second place with the Alfarroba Tea project – ALKARUB, while GreenCoLAB achieved third place with the AlgaeBeer project – an American Pale Ale craft beer produced from microalgae from the Portuguese coast, including from Ria Formosa.
Special distinctions of 250 euros were also awarded to the projects Bees In Tube, with BeeWraps, reusable cotton cloths impregnated with beeswax, jojoba oil and natural resin; Medronho in a Bottle, a drink based on medronho brandy with fresh fruit juice and only 5% alcohol content; and Nova Vida – Neuza Sermain, with Carob Cola, a handcrafted cola based on carob, without added aromas and naturally caffeine-free.
The closing session was led by José Apolinário, president of CCDR Algarve, who framed the Innovation Award within the regional strategy for promoting innovation and competitiveness, highlighting the potential of blue biotechnology and applied research as drivers of economic development. The initiative is promoted by CCDR Algarve, in partnership with the Municipality of Tavira, Caixa de Crédito Agrícola Mútuo do Sotavento Algarvio and the Association In Loco.
