Nova SBE Open & User Innovation Knowledge Center

04/04/2026

04/04/2026

LinkeDean Episode 7 is out!

Dean Pedro Oliveira welcomes Ana Rodrigues from NOVA Medical School - Faculdade de Ciências Médicas for a conversation on patient-centered innovation, the importance of health promotion beyond clinical appointments, and the bridge between medicine and business. The episode explores how students from different backgrounds can collaborate to solve truthful unmet needs in healthcare and why empathy and community presence are vital for modern clinicians.

Watch the full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/01ZdeZaALLPVTx6EqfC6S8?si=aad5cb1613ad43cb

26/03/2026

The study tour at Nova SBE for WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management executives continued with two days focused on strategy, sustainability, and the future of cities.

Tuesday centered on strategy under uncertainty. Nadim Habib led a session on “𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧”, using the strategy and brand transformation work developed for Esporão as a compelling case study, showing how a family-owned w**e producer reinvented itself by balancing agriculture, tourism, and heritage.

Wednesday shifted to the energy transition. Nathalie Crutzen, Founder and Academic Director of the Smart City Institute HEC Liège, explored “𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 – 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧-𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞?”, touching on work developed with . Then, the group visited EDP Renewables and their R&D Center ( ), with António Coutinho, João Gonçalo Maciel and Rui Martins offering a firsthand look at how renewable energy infrastructure is designed to support urban decarbonization under regulatory and technological uncertainty—and why innovation is so critical.

24/03/2026

The study tour at Nova SBE for WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management MBA executives kicked off this Sunday! For the third consecutive year, participants are exploring “𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐲”, diving into open, user, and social innovation while experiencing Lisbon’s unique cultural and business landscape.
The kickoff set the tone with a social visit to Castelo de São Jorge and a dinner at Casa do Alentejo, accompanied by fado music: a memorable introduction to Lisbon’s rich heritage and vibrant atmosphere.
On Monday the program continued with a dynamic mix of thought-provoking lectures and hands-on experiences:
- Pedro Oliveira led a lecture on “Between Exploit and Explore – The Power of Open & User Innovation in Serendipity”, focusing on user-driven innovation, including examples from Patient Innovation.
- A visit to Corticeira Amorim Florestal (Herdade de Rio Frio) explored how a traditional land-based industry innovates under extreme long-term uncertainty, where production cycles span decades. The visit highlighted how R&D and technology are transforming cork forestry, from plantation to harvest, balancing sustainability and profitability. It also illustrated the regional environmental, social, economic, and cultural dependence linked to this industry, as well as the strategic role of geography. The session was complemented by a business perspective from Amorim, presenting cork as a unique and highly versatile material and connecting its properties with industrial applications and innovation potential.
And there’s more to come!

17/03/2026

🌍 NOVA SBE students: applications are now open!
Ready to help shape the cities of tomorrow?
Join the EUTOPIA MORE Innovation Challenges 2026, taking place at the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) under this year’s theme: “The Sustainable City.”

🗓 5–8 May 2026

Over four days, you’ll collaborate with students from across the EUTOPIA alliance, working in interdisciplinary teams on real-world challenges and developing innovative solutions for more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban environments.

🚀 Challenge areas include:
• Sustainable Tourism
• Sustainable Campus Development
• Sustainable Movement in Schools
• Sustainable Mobility

👩‍🎓 Who can apply?
Bachelor’s and Master’s students from any discipline at NOVA SBE. No prior experience required.

✈️ Travel, accommodation, and meals are fully covered for selected students.

⏰ Key dates

• Apply by: 23 March (23:59h)
• Results: 27 March
• Confirmation deadline: 31 March

🌱 Gothenburg is internationally recognised for its leadership in sustainability and its goal to become climate-neutral by 2030 — making it the perfect living lab for this challenge.

👉 Apply here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ZXEus-oUfUu5KvBRH_ptJ3ZI5BKLB2VEhc43X9UNlSRURVk2WktUNVJEVjZVT1dOSFQ3UFBOV0pVRy4u

📩 Questions? [email protected]