(Photo credit: Neoalgae)
On December 16, 2024, IMPRESS partner Neoalgae participated in the inaugural edition of the Rural Startup Awards held at the Oviedo Congress Palace (Edificio Calatrava) in Oviedo, Asturias. Organized by the Spanish Association of Startups and funded by the European Union’s Next Generation EU program, and as part of Spain’s Recovery and Resilience Plan, the event was led by the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Tourism through the EOI School of Industrial Organization.
The Rural Startup Awards aims to promote and elevate Spanish women entrepreneurs while recognizing Asturian companies that exemplify the ongoing smart transformation of the rural sector. Over 200 participants, representing three core sectors, gathered for this prestigious event, namely:
- Agrotech
- Rural Tourism
- Sustainability
Neoalgae at Espicha Tech
Prior to the event’s main component, Neoalgae participated in the first edition of Espicha Tech, a forum where 10 industry experts explored the future of food. Here, Neoalgae showcased two innovative olive oil products:
- Olive oil infused with Dunaliella salina, a microalga rich in beta-carotene.
- Olive oil infused with Tetraselmis chuii (read more here), celebrated for its high content of proteins, vitamins, and essential fatty acids.
Showcasing IMPRESS’ relevance
During the event, Neoalgae also presented IMPRESS’ research milestones, accolades, and scope, emphasizing its role in tackling contemporary sustainability challenges, particularly in marine and freshwater ecosystems. Neoalgae further highlighted its alignment with the European Union’s strategies for advancing the Bioeconomy and promoting sustainable blue economy (Blue Growth).
