Prototyping fund spring 2025: Show don’t tell, and learn along the way
April 28th, 2025 –noon. Despite the power cut which had just started and thanks to Nova SBE’s generator, the Prototyping Fund Showcase took place as planned at Nova SBE. Many visitors took the time to check out students’ projects and engage with the teams.
The Prototyping Fund is an initiative led by the DESIS Lab @ Nova SBE in partnership with the Haddad Entrepreneurshipl Institute to support students’ ideas that aim to address social and environmental issues. The teams represented several programs from Nova SBE and this year for the first time we were delighted to have other Nova schools represented: Nova Medical School and Nova FCT (Science and Technology). There were eleven projects awardeed Phase 1 funding and two returning projects in Phase 2.
The projects reflected a broad range of themes from upcycling, to health innovation, mental health, education, impact entrepreneurship, and future of work. The prototypes were both physical and digital: from a 3D sanitary product dispenser to a biodegradable gel-based water purifier, a shell-based ceramic paste, a toolkit to develop critical thinking, a card-game, a few websites, apps, and AI-powered chatbots. To learn more about each of the ideas please see below.
Several teams stressed how building their prototypes allowed them to show their ideas to potential users, clients or partners. They realized how showing was more powerful than solely telling.
“When we showed them our 3D printed model, suddenly people understood what we were trying to do” (agora)
“Developing and showing a prototype to potential clients fast was essential to learn quickly.” (PillWeb)
“Testing and refining a prototype allowed us to meet users’ needs”, (H₂iNOVA)
Turning an idea into something tangible that others can react to helps ask questions, refine, understand potential implications and collaborate: that’s prototyping!
We are grateful to the Haddad Entrepreneurship team, in particular Carla Portela, for their support. We thank André Martins and the team at FabLab Lisboa who this year again have supported several projects. We are also grateful to Pedro Almeida, IP & Technology Transfer Manager at Nova FCT for facilitating connections between Nova SBE students and Nova FCT experts. We also want to thank all the mentors who met with the phase 2 projects: Sara Camnasio, Domingo Guimarães, Jorge Lagarto, Catarina Lisboa, and André Martins.
The DESIS Lab Team (Anne-Laure Fayard and Beatriz Bento)
Reshell
Transforms mussel shell waste into an innovative, eco-friendly material used as a component in sustainable ceramic pastes, creating a circular solution for waste and ceramic production.
How we built it
We built the prototype by grinding mussel shells into fine powder with industrial mills, then mixed it with clay and minerals to obtain ceramic pastes, fired for testing.
How the prototyped evolved since the 1st cycle
Our prototype evolved using more advanced techniques, better machinery, and a structured approach. We deepened user interactions to gather targeted, effective feedback.
Top lesson learned
Testing shell-to-clay ratios and shells particle size was key to refining quality; interacting with artists gave us valuable feedback and created interest in the material.
Team
Luigi Sbalchiero – Master in Impact Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 2025
Francesco Dorigo – Master in Impact Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 2025
Project.Unfolded
A reflective card game designed for students to build emotional awareness, deepen connections, and improve teamwork – scalable for use in onboarding, workshops, and team projects.
How we built it
Built a printed card deck using thick matte paper via local copyshops; includes colorful illustrations and comes in a compact, portable box (still work-in-progress).
How the prototyped evolved since the 1st cycle
Evolved from facilitator-led workshops to a self-guided card game, printed on matte cardstock locally, designed to enhance students’ personal development.
Top lesson learned
Effective reflection needs sequenced prompts; card format enables self-led depth. Premium materials matter – real demand shows when people are willing to pay.
Team
Julius Benedikt Kaiser – Management + CEMS, 2025
Jan Kuno Göhler – Finance + CEMS, 2025
PillWeb
Connects hospitals, pharmacies and health centers to share medicine availability, predict demand and mitigate shortages.
How we built it
We built the browser platform with lovable, to bring the solution to life as quickly as possible. Further we used Supabase and Github.
Top lesson learned
Developing and showing a prototype to potential clients fast is essential to learn quickly. Using AI software tools, helps to implement the learnings easily.
Team
Joana Macedo – NOVA Medical School, 2026
Pedro Cascalho – NOVA Medical School, 2026
Tim Holzer – NOVA SBE – Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2026
Samuel Vögtli – NOVA SBE – Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2026
Detective Mr. P.
Patient navigation solution for cancer patients, that supports them in-person during treatment with administrative and emotional burdens.
How we built it
We designed 6 activities with clues and challenges, to help kids develop different problem-solving strategies, think critically, and collaborate on various approaches.
Top lesson learned
In the pre-prototype Green Thumb Academy, kids (6–10) used creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork to solve problems. Mentors’ guidance was key to their success.
Team
Sofia Bordoni – Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2025
Adel Kovacs – Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2025
Sara Leal – Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2025
Marian Latorre – Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2026
KuzaCollective
Empowers African consultantswith back-office support, skills certification, benefits, networks and vetted opportunities, unlocking their full potential.
How we built it
We created two versions of the landing page to assess the needs and communicate the value proposition. We also created social media posts to get signups and a pitch deck.
Top lesson learned
Initial idea: match startups/small businesses with shared support. Pivot: greater potential supporting independent consultants to deliver more value than startups.
Team
Isaac Jumba -Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2026
H₂iNOVA
A biodegradable gel-based water purifier that removes bacteria, viruses and heavy metals, providing a simple and sustainable solution for safe drinking water in vulnerable communities.
How we built it
Developed in the laboratory, designed as small circular discs made from agar-agar and sodium alginate, incorporating nanoparticles and natural oils for better efficiency.
Top lesson learned
The importance of prototyping to test and refine our solution, ensuring it effectively meets users’ needs and performs as intended in the real world.
Team
João Bonacho – Computer Science and Engineering, 2026
Catarina Luís – Biotechnology, 2026
Jorge Coutinho – Biotechnology, 2026
Mónica Rosa – Biotechnology, 2026
Tiago Frazão – Computer Science and Engineering, 2026
Eezi
Enhancing the connection and engagement between therapists and patients for a more continuous therapy journey that reduces drop-out rates and improves mental healthcare for all.
How we built it
We evolved from having a dummy prototype into a fully accessible platform built on an online service that therapists and patients can interact with.
Top lesson learned
Talking to both therapists and patients on an ongoing basis is key to success.
Team
Luca Guerrini -Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2026
Viola Di Veroli -Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2026
Diana Andus-Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2026
CauseConnect
We connect small to medium sized impact organisations in emerging markets with young professionals who apply their business skills to help them grow while gaining meaningful work experience.
How we built it
As MVP1 we’re building a website with AI chatbots that match professionals and orgs based on skills, interests, and needs for impactful, tailored collaborations.
Top lesson learned
We must stand apart from volunteering, offer professionals clear value, and focus on a scalable business model to ensure long-term success and real impact.
Team
Hanna Haas -Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2026
Constantin Spence -Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2026
Isaac Jumba -Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2027
BridgeWise
Most-easy to use digital upskilling platform for SMEs to expand digital expertise in a targeted and efficient manner.
How we built it
We developed an online presence and digital skill management tool that guides the entire upskilling process from skill gap analysis to governmental funding management.
Top lesson learned
Prototyping isn’t about delivering something low-quality; it’s about refining the first customer interaction until they’re eager to commit.
Team
Luca Maximilian BlöcherInternational Management, 2026
Niklas Josua KohlInternational Management & CEMS, 2026
agora
Provides workplaces with a subscription-based period care system, including dispensers, refills, and donations – turning an overlooked need into structured, inclusive infrastructure.
How we built it
We designed a CAD model of a period product dispenser and created a functional prototype using 3D printing to test usability in workplace restroom settings.
Top lesson learned
We learned that even small design details can take a lot of time to prototype – iteration, testing, and refinement are more time-consuming than expected.
Team
Marie-Chantal Anterist – Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2026
Jakob Louis Pöttgen – Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2026
Hannah Zapf – Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2026
Kristina Martins – Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Jan 2026
SOMNO
An AI-powered, voice-controlled sleep companion that guides users from falling asleep to waking up with personalized relaxation, soundscapes, and CBT-based coaching.
How we built it
We prototyped gathering real user feedback, building a software Interface, using voice AI scripts and Wizard-of-Oz tests to simulate sleep coaching.
Top lesson learned
Sleep issues stem from stress & habits. Users want adaptive, voice-based support that feels personal and is non-intrusive.
Team
Finn Peters – Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2026
Constanza Heymanns – Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2026
Felix Foesch – Management, 2026
TabBack Memories
NFC cards that link to customizable digital memory albums. Designed as meaningful physical gifts that connect to personal photos, videos, and messages.
How we built it
We built simple MVPs by printing images, attaching them to NFC cards, and linking the chips to cloud-based albums with customizable digital content.
Top lesson learned
For some people, having a physical object can make the digital memories feel more special and emotionally meaningful.
Team
Gabriele Inama – Impact Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 2026
Carlo De Luca – Impact Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 2026
QUIT.
Smart Vape Pen that reduces nicotine concentration automatically and over time. QUIT also tracks users’ consumption behavior and feeds an algorithm to optimize nicotine cessation.
How we built it
Designed the app layout in Figma and built a prototype using nicotine and non-nicotine vapes connected to an Arduino microcontroller running custom code.
Top lesson learned
Relying on external experts like developers can slow progress—but their input is essential to build something impactful.
Team
Vivian Müller -Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2026
Toni Hofbauer -Impact Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2026
Thank you!
