Terms and Conditions — Hub Azul Venture Building

1. Framework

Hub Azul Venture Building is a scientific venture building program promoted within the scope of the
Hub Azul Network, integrated into the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), and coordinated by
Fórum Oceano – Associação da Economia do Mar (Ocean Economy Association), hereinafter referred to as the “Organizer”.

The program aims to support the valorization of scientific research results and intellectual property assets within the Blue Economy sector, fostering the transfer of science to market.
Participation in Hub Azul Venture Building is governed by these Terms and Conditions.

2. Program Objectives

Hub Azul Venture Building aims to:

  • Identify, map, and assess research results and intellectual property assets with commercialization potential;
  • Support researchers and R&D teams in scientific entrepreneurship;
  • Assist in structuring pilots, proof-of-concept initiatives, and potential spin-offs;
  • Promote connections between science, industry, investors, and the Blue Economy ecosystem.

3. Participants and Eligibility

The program is open to:

  • Researchers, faculty members, PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and R&D teams;
  • Individuals affiliated with universities, polytechnic institutions, or research centers integrated into or associated with the Hub Azul Network;
  • Projects involving research results, technologies, or intellectual property assets.

Applications may be submitted individually or as a team.
Submission of an application does not confer any right to participate nor guarantee selection into the program.

4. Applications

Applications must be submitted through the official application form provided for that purpose.

The Organizer reserves the right to:

  • Request additional information from applicants;
  • Close, extend, or modify application deadlines;
  • Declare void any application containing false, incomplete, or misleading information.

5. Evaluation and Selection

Applications will be assessed by a multidisciplinary evaluation committee based on criteria that may include, among others:

  • Customer Readiness Level (CRL);
  • Technology Readiness Level (TRL);
  • Business / Market Readiness Level (BRL);
  • IP Readiness Level (IPRL);
  • Team Readiness Level (TMRL);
  • Funding Readiness Level (FRL);
  • Team motivation and availability;

Selection decisions are discretionary, final, and not subject to appeal.

6. Program Structure

Hub Azul Venture Building includes, among other activities:

  • Intellectual property mapping and assessment;
  • Participation in a Startup Studio lasting approximately 10 weeks;
  • Training sessions, mentoring, and technical support;
  • Engagement with industrial partners, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders;
  • A final presentation event.

The program may be conducted in a hybrid format (online and in-person), with details communicated to selected participants.

7. Intellectual Property and Confidentiality

7.1 Intellectual Property

Ownership of intellectual property associated with the projects remains with the respective researchers and/or their home institutions, in accordance with applicable legislation and internal regulations.

Participation in the program does not imply the transfer, assignment, or automatic licensing of any intellectual property rights to the Organizer, partners, or third parties.

Any commercial exploitation, licensing, or spin-off creation shall be governed by separate agreements executed between the relevant parties.

Feedback, mentoring, or contributions provided within the program do not grant co-ownership or authorship rights over project intellectual property.

7.2 Confidentiality

Participants undertake to:

  • Maintain the confidentiality of all technical, scientific, commercial, or strategic information accessed within the scope of the program;
  • Refrain from disclosing confidential information relating to other projects, entities, or participants without prior authorization.

The Organizer will require the execution of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), applicable to participants and, where relevant, partners and mentors.

8. Personal Data Protection

Personal data processing is carried out in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and Portuguese Law no. 58/2019 of August 8.

Data Controller

Fórum Oceano – Associação da Economia do Mar
UPTEC Mar – Room C2, Av. da Liberdade S/N | 4450-718 Leça da Palmeira, Portugal

For further information regarding personal data processing, Fórum Oceano may be contacted at:
secretario.geral@forumoceano.pt

Personal data will be processed for the following purposes:

  • Management of applications and program participation;
  • Communication related to Hub Azul Venture Building;
  • Institutional dissemination of the program and its results.

Data will be retained only for the period necessary to fulfill the stated purposes. Data subjects may exercise their rights in accordance with applicable legislation.

9. Communication and Public Disclosure

The Organizer may publicly disclose:

  • The names of selected projects;
  • General information regarding program results;
  • Images or videos from events, subject to participant consent.

10. Disclaimer of Liability

Participation in Hub Azul Venture Building:

  • Does not guarantee investment, funding, company formation, or commercial success;
  • Does not replace legal, financial, tax, or regulatory advice;
  • Does not render the Organizer liable for decisions made by participants during or following the program.

11. Program Modifications

The Organizer reserves the right to modify the schedule, format, or contents of the program whenever necessary for its proper execution.

Any significant changes will be communicated to participants.

12. Final Provisions

Participation in Hub Azul Venture Building implies full acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

In the event of a dispute, Portuguese law shall apply, and the courts of the Lisbon district shall have jurisdiction, unless otherwise mandated by mandatory legal provisions.