EIT Manufacturing Winter School

Introduction

Exploring Augmented Manufacturing: Enhancing Efficiency and Sustainability with Digital Technologies

Anchored in the NextGenerationEU Recovery Plan and guided by the motto “Machines don’t solve problems; humans solve them together!”, the EIT Manufacturing Winter School at Porto is designed to empower participants with essential leadership, intellectual, and creative skills. Participants will leverage their research expertise and technical competencies to tackle complex problems and societal challenges.

Inspired by the New European Bauhaus initiative, this programme fosters a unique, interdisciplinary approach that integrates science and technology with art, culture, and social inclusion. The programme is designed to break down traditional barriers, cultivating the necessary skills and competencies in participants to devise innovative solutions for real-world problems. By blending creativity with cutting-edge technology, this Winter School prepares future leaders to enhance efficiency and sustainability in the field of augmented manufacturing.

Industrial Challenge

Name of the Challenge: Augmenting Efficiency and Sustainability with Technology

During the programme, students will engage in a real-world industrial challenge designed to enhance their innovation skills.

This challenge focuses on the servitization of manufacturing equipment by an industrial equipment manufacturer. Collaborating with a deep-tech startup that utilizes generative AI in manufacturing, the equipment manufacturer aims to transition from selling products to offering services. Participants will explore various business models and their broader impact on both the company and the industry.

Michael Peschl, Head of Research and Development at Harms & Wende GmbH & Co. KG, and Liliana Antão, Chief Technology Officer at ind.tiles, will mentor and challenge the participants.

Learning outcomes

• Develop Expertise in Building Robust Business Models: Gain in-depth knowledge and skills to create strong and sustainable business models that can withstand market fluctuations and drive long-term success.
• Gain Insights into Intellectual Property and Contractual Aspects: Acquire comprehensive knowledge of intellectual property rights and the critical contractual elements within the startup ecosystem, ensuring legal protection and strategic advantage.
• Understand the Role of Digital Technologies in Manufacturing: Explore how cutting-edge digital technologies can enhance the efficiency and sustainability of manufacturing processes, driving innovation and competitive advantage in the industry.
• Master Effective Business Idea Presentation: Learn how to present business ideas convincingly and compellingly to diverse audiences, including potential investors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Perfect the Art of the Elevator Pitch: Understand and apply the key principles of crafting a concise, impactful elevator pitch that captures attention and clearly communicates the essence of your business idea.

Company visit: Industry & Innovation Lab (iiLab)

iiLab is  an infrastructure that supports technology-based innovation in public and private organizations, thus contributing to the development of their skills in the development, adoption and implementation of advanced production technologies, leading to a sustainable competitiveness in the circular economy context.

Demo Day

As part of the Winter School, the Demo Day on Dec 05 is a Launchpad Global Pitchfest, a full day event where the participants will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas together with other students from University of Porto involved in different acceleration programs.

Students from the School of Startups for researchers (UPTEC), the  ClimateLaunchpad (Climate-KIC) and the Venture Scientists program (Conception-X) will join the demo day and present their ideas.

How can participants benefit from it?

The Launchpad Global Pitchfest will take place at the University of Porto Science and Technology park main building and incubator, and will attract entrepreneurs, Business Angels (BA) and Venture Capitals (VC). 

Participants will have the opportunity to network with fellow aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups and entrepreneurs, BAs and VCs, learning and benefiting from the experience of like minded people and extending their networks.