The "Verdito" project is the overall winner of the ACE Challenge ideas competition run by the Polytechnic of Lisbon, a joint venture of the ACE - Academy of Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship. The initiative, which has been running since 2019, aims to foster entrepreneurial spirit among students and empower participants in various initiatives to develop projects that present solutions to challenges and needs across the various educational areas of the Polytechnic of Lisbon's schools.
The idea behind Verdito is to help companies and consumers guarantee the authenticity and sustainability of their products in the market by granting them a seal.
Created by students Rafael Romão of the Lisbon Institute of Engineering, Ana Beatriz Nobre of the Lisbon School of Health Technology, and Diogo Carvalho of the Lisbon School of Music, the Verdito project offers a personalized analysis for each company or producer, evaluating the entire process, from origin to distribution, to ensure ethical and sustainable practices, both from an environmental and social perspective. With this solution, Verdito aims to combat phenomena such as greenwashing by providing consumers with clear and reliable information.
For Ricardo Pinheiro, vice president of research and artistic creation, entrepreneurship and internationalization at IPL, “The ACE Challenge represents the spirit of innovation, creativity and collaboration that the Polytechnic of Lisbon seeks to foster among its students,” he said.
The AnthoSuture project, developed by students Rui Quintas, Susana Cabral, and Pedro Afonso, from the Lisbon Institute of Engineering, won second place, worth 1,500 euros. The idea proposes the development of an innovative suture thread, produced from naturally occurring materials with the ability to change color based on the wound's pH. By reacting early to changes in pH, AnthoSuture acts as an immediate visual indicator, enabling a rapid and effective response, contributing to the prevention of hospital-acquired infections.
This smart thread turns blue after use, purple in the event of a potential infection, and red when the healing process is proceeding normally.
The finalist projects were presented on July 14, 2025, to the jury, chaired by José Rui Soares of BTEN, and composed of Ricardo Pinheiro, vice president of research and artistic creation, entrepreneurship, and internationalization at IPL, Olímpia Silva of CGD, and José Vasconcelos of BTEN.
The ACE Challenge awards ceremony is scheduled for the start of the 2025/2026 academic year. The winning group will represent the Polytechnic of Lisbon in the national Poliempreende competition, which will be held in Aveiro from September 1 to 5, 2025.
1st Prize | Verdito
Rafael Romão - Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa
Ana Beatriz Nobre - Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa
Diogo Carvalho - Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa
Prize: 2.000€ | CGD
2nd Prize | AnthoSuture
Rui Quintas, Susana Cabral, Pedro Afonso - Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa
Prize: 1.500€ | Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa
Texto de MFC/GCI
Imagens de DS/GCI
