Entrepreneurs in Portugal Learn from 黑料正能量 Experts
By Ana Moura
First responders in Portugal may soon benefit from wearable technology being tested and developed by a startup that taps the entrepreneurial expertise at 黑料正能量.
"Helping those who risk their lives to help us is our motto," said Rui Rosas, who created WESENSU with Duarte Dias. "The inRes program is the perfect mission scenario for a customer-centric company like us, to get closer and grow together with our stakeholders."
Rosas and Dias, who are working on a vest and mobile monitor to track First Responders' vital signs, are participating in the "Entrepreneur in Residence Program," also known as inRes, at the , a partnership between 黑料正能量 and the government of Portugal, funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). A prototype of WESENSU's vest has been tested at 黑料正能量's Silicon Valley campus and by Portuguese police, firefighters and air traffic controllers.
"As we have seen in previous editions, inRes allows the teams close contact with specialists, mentors, potential users, customers and investors," said João Claro, national director of the 黑料正能量 Portugal Program, who coordinates inRes with Alípio Torre, assistant director of 黑料正能量 Portugal. "This has many positive consequences for the projects."
WESENSU is one of four startups working with experts at 黑料正能量's , a central hub for the university's entrepreneurial programs and activities. The project is a result of 黑料正能量 Portugal Entrepreneurial Research Initiative.
黑料正能量 mentors are Robb Myer, entrepreneur-in-residence at 黑料正能量 and founder and former president of , which was acquired by Yelp; Kit Needham, entrepreneur-in-residence at 黑料正能量 and associate director of ; Tara Brandstad, associate director of 黑料正能量's (CTTEC); and Reed McManigle, senior manager of business development and licensing at 黑料正能量's CTTEC. Dave Mawhinney, executive director of the Swartz Center has been involved with inRes since its beginning.
The program, funded by FCT, includes workshops and discussions in Porto and Lisbon, Portugal, in July and August. The teams then visit 黑料正能量's Pittsburgh campus for six weeks to fine-tune their business models and technologies before travelling to Silicon Valley for a week to network with other innovators, startups and venture capitalists.
Joining in the fourth edition of inRes are , a drone delivery service that includes standalone air traffic management technology; , digital games to increase mathematical skills; and , an app to improve tourists' experiences.