BIKINNOV promoted the 1st R&D Days on World Bicycle Day with a focus on collaborative innovation

On June 3, 2025, BIKiNNOV – Bike Value Innovation Center Association held the Research & Development Days (R&D) of its Technology and Innovation Center (CTI). This meeting, which marked World Bicycle Day, brought together researchers, experts, representatives of the scientific and technological system and companies from the soft mobility sector to share knowledge, discuss challenges and strengthen innovation in the two-wheel sector.

The program began with a guided tour of the CTI facilities, followed by the opening session. The opening session was marked by a speech by Gil Nadais, BIKiNNOV’s Executive Director, who challenged the attendees:
“Challenge BIKiNNOV. We want you to tell us where we can do better, where we can add more value to innovation in the sector. This center is at the service of companies, research and collaboration.”

Luíz Lopes, from the National Innovation Agency (ANI), underlined ANI’s role in supporting entities like BIKiNNOV:
“ANI has accompanied BIKiNNOV. We believe that centers like this are essential for transforming knowledge into economic value, accelerating innovation and consolidating Portugal as an international benchmark in strategic sectors.”
Ricardo Vicente, from the Directorate of Investment for Innovation and Business Competitiveness (IAPMEI), highlighted the importance of collaborative agendas:
“Mobilizing Agendas, such as AM2R, are a clear example of the two-wheel sector’s ability to organize, cooperate and innovate together. This approach is essential for leveraging industrial and technological development.

This was followed by presentations by César Coutinho, BIKiNNOV’s Technological Director, and pitches from the R&D projects currently underway, as part of the Interface Mission – Core Funding for the CTI and AM2R – Agenda Mobilizing Business Innovation in the Two-Wheeler Sector. These presentations were particularly enriching, as they allowed participants to gain a deeper understanding of the technical capabilities of each piece of equipment installed at the CTI and the specific objectives of each project under development, highlighting the real impact of innovation in the two-wheel sector.

During the “Challenges and Future of R&D” panel, Nuno Gomes, representing the Vice-Rector of the University of Coimbra, Nuno Mendonça, and as the leading institution of the INOVC+ consortium, presented the project’s mission:
“We want to implement and consolidate an innovation ecosystem for the transfer of knowledge and technology. In a context of networking, our aim is to enhance the results of R&D+I and ensure that they have a real impact on the economy of the Central Region.”

Luís Silva, from the UC Business – Technology Transfer Office (TTO), highlighted the link between science and the market and his experience in the annual management of 585 patents, which generate revenue of around 1 million euros a year:
“At the University of Coimbra we have been working to ensure that research is not confined to laboratories. Our focus is on boosting the transfer of knowledge and strengthening the relationship with companies.”
Luiz Lopes, a PhD candidate in the Governance, Knowledge and Innovation Doctoral Program at the University of Coimbra, presented his research work:
“What I’m trying to understand is: How the different innovation intermediaries in Portugal relate to forms of knowledge co-creation and how this relationship contributes to the performance of functions
and the mitigation of innovation failures over time.”
The panel ended with a speech by Pedro Sá, Director of Innovation and Development at Polisport, who left an inspiring note on innovation in the sector, sharing the industry’s vision:
“The world of cycling is a passionate world. And innovation begins when we take the first step, with the first prototype. There is no innovation without action.”

Conclusions of the BIKiNNOV R&D Days and Commitment to the Second Edition in 2026
The BIKiNNOV Research & Development (R&D) Days, held on June 3, 2025, highlighted the relevance of collaboration and innovation in the bicycle and soft mobility sector. The event, which brought together various experts and companies from the sector, reflected on the challenges and opportunities that innovation offers for the future of sustainable mobility.

The event allowed for an exchange of valuable knowledge about the R&D projects underway at the Technology and Innovation Center (CTI), highlighting the concrete impact of innovation in the bicycle sector. Participants had the opportunity to explore the CTI’s capabilities and discuss how the technologies under development can transform the industry, from improving processes to creating new products and solutions for sustainable mobility.

Another important point was the emphasis on knowledge transfer, especially between universities and companies. The creation of innovation ecosystems that connect research and the market was highlighted as one of the keys to ensuring that R&D results translate into economic impact and progress for society.

In terms of practical innovation, the event also underlined the importance of action, pointing out that innovation begins with experimentation and the development of prototypes. The focus is not just on ideas, but on the concrete implementation of solutions that can transform the sector.

Commitment for 2026
Based on the success of this edition, BIKiNNOV has already confirmed its commitment to hold the second edition of the R&D Days in 2026. The aim is to continue to promote knowledge sharing and strengthen partnerships between the various entities involved in the sector. The second edition will be even more ambitious, with the expectation of wider participation and a more in-depth study of the central topics covered, consolidating BIKiNNOV as a center of excellence for innovation in the soft mobility sector.
BIKiNNOV reaffirms its commitment to advancing innovation and sustainability in the sector, betting on another year of developing solutions that can shape the future of mobility in Portugal and beyond.

Financing

This event cuts across the various projects underway at the Technology and Innovation Centre, namely Interface Mission – Core Funding for Technology and Innovation Centres (CTI) and AM2R – Agenda Mobilizing Business Innovation in the Two-Wheel Sector, both funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) and the European Union’s NextGenerationEU Funds.

INOVC+ is a strategic program for the Central Region that aims to implement and consolidate an Innovation Ecosystem for the Transfer of Knowledge and Technology, promoted by a network of 23 partner entities. Its aim is to boost the value of R&D+I results and their application in the regional economy, and it is a continuation of the previous InovC, InovC 2020 and InovC+ programs. With a duration of 30 months, the project represents a total eligible investment of approximately 4.1 million euros, 85% co-financed by the CENTRO 2030 and Portugal 2030 programs, with the support of the European Union – The European Funds Closer to You.