The H2O & Sustainability Summit 2023 was an event within the scope of the H2O & Sustainability Innovation HUB, which took place on October 19 and 20, 2023, at the University of Algarve - Campus da Penha, in Faro. The H2O & Sustainability Innovation HUB is an accelerator of innovation in the areas of water, sustainability, and circular economy, involving Municipalities, Institutions, Companies, STARTUPS, Universities, and Research Centers in a collaborative ecosystem, with partners such as the Municipality of Faro, Four Seasons Fairways, Indaqua, Minsait, Mazars, Infralobo, Ambifaro, Zertive Consulting, Vodafone, and the Municipality of Vila do Bispo.
180 Participants
11 Countries
67 Entities
During the two days of the event, 180 people from 11 countries, including Portugal, Brazil, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, and the United Kingdom, attended the University of Algarve, representing 67 entities such as Municipalities, Tourist Companies, Water Concession Management Entities, Technology Companies, Universities, Research Centers, Startups, and Public Entities. The event also had the presence of various media outlets.
Throughout the event, several relevant topics were discussed, including global sustainability challenges associated with climate change, sustainable smart cities, economic and financial restructuring of water and sanitation concessions, application of technology in water systems for efficiency gains, trends in terms of ESG, sustainable tourism, challenges and opportunities related to desalination, and how data and Artificial Intelligence can help achieve sustainability goals.
Additionally, we had an exhibition hall (fair event) throughout the event, held at the UAlg Tec Campus building, with the participation of various companies and startups, providing opportunities for networking and business development.
Throughout the event, several relevant topics were discussed, including global sustainability challenges associated with climate change, sustainable smart cities, economic and financial restructuring of water and sanitation concessions, application of technology in water systems for efficiency gains, trends in terms of ESG, sustainable tourism, challenges and opportunities related to desalination, and how data and Artificial Intelligence can help achieve sustainability goals.
The H2O & Sustainability Summit also had the pleasure of having interventions by Arq. Hgo Pires (Secretary of State of Environment) and Dr. Maria do Céu Antunes (Minister of Agriculture) who, even if not being able to attend in-person, had video interventions to speak on the importance of initiatives like the H2O & Sustainability Innovation HUB when it comes to help solving issues related with water, sustainability, circular economy and others.
Watch the videos below!
Call for Projects - 1st Edition
As part of the H2O & Sustainability Summit 2023, the Pitch Ceremony of the Call for Projects was also held, targeting Universities, Research Centers, and Startups, where the best groups had the opportunity to present their projects to participants and the jury.
Congratulations to the winners of each category!
Startups Category
Bandora Systems - 1st Place | Startups Category
Windcredible - 2nd Place | Startups Category
LS Engenharia Geográfica - 3rd Place | Startups Category
PhD & Doctorates Category
Trees4Water - 1st Place | PhD & Doctorates Category
Nano beats Micro - 2nd Place | PhD & Doctorates Category
Resilient - 3rd Place | PhD & Doctorates Category
Students Category
Adsol - 1st Place | Students Category
2LiveGreen - 2nd Place | Students Category
Hydrous - 3rd Place | Students Category
Speakers
Rogério Bacalhau
President of Municipality of Faro
Sophie Matias
Councilwoman at Municipality of Faro
Telmo Vieira
Managing Partner at PREMIVALOR CONSULTING
Manuela Moreira da Silva
Professor at University of Algarve and Researcher at CIMA - ARNET
Will Wynn
CEO at Recharge Water, LP and Former Mayor of Austin, Texas, USA
Mário Peres
IoT Country Sales Manager at Vodafone
Jorge Coelho
Chief Information and Innovation Officer at Municipality of Faro
Jorge Oliveira
General Manager at Four Seasons Fairways - Quinta do Lago
Pedro Perdigão
CEO at INDAQUA
Jóni Barroso
Business Development Manager at INDAQUA
Maria João Vaz
Head of Sustainability at Mazars
Pedro Moura
Head of Phygital Division for Portugal at Minsait
Rui Castilho Dias
Manager - Public Administration & Healthcare at Minsait
Rute Silva
Mayor of Vila do Bispo Municipality
Jorge Costa Reis
Partner & CEO at Zertive
Nuno Silva Carvalho
Partner at Zertive
Carmona Rodrigues
Professor at Nova School of Science & Technology
Clemente Pedro Nunes
Professor at IST - University of Lisbon
João de Quinhones Levy
Professor at IST - University of Lisbon
Carolina Cruz
Co-Founder at C-MORE
Teresa Esteban
CEO & Co Founder at Rede do Empresário
Alberto Mota Borges
Faro Airport Manager
António Eusébio
President of the Administrive Council at Águas do Algarve
Carlos Manso
President of the Adminstrative Concil at INFRALOBO
The vision of the H2O & SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT is to drive innovation, collaboration, knowledge exchange and to leverage Business Development opportunities in the areas of Water, Sustainability and Circular Economy. Ultimately, this summit aims to contribute to address the global challenges of water scarcity, environmental conservation, and social impact.
Become an H2O & SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT Partner
The H2O & SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT is also an opportunity for companies, organizations and STARTUPS to promote their innovative products, services and solutions related with Water, Sustainability (Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energies), Circular Economy and ESG. The H2O & SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT is a place that focuses on giving the participants access to various collaborations and business development opportunities. With this focus in mind, we have created a partner program where companies, organisation and STARTUPS have special conditions before, during and after the summit. Here are some of the benefits of joining this partner program:
Access to multiple free Standard and Executive tier tickets + Discounts on aditional tickets
Promotion on H2O & Sustainability HUB's multiple channels (LinkedIn, Newsletters, and more)
Possibility of meetings with decisions makers and support in the development of business opportunities
In-Person presentation at the SUMMIT
Access to business/networking dinner with decision makers
Opportunity to formally join the H2O & Sustainability Innovation HUB