NOVA Medical School and the Health Economics & Management Knowledge Center are strengthening their commitment to innovation and health education through a new edition of the Nutrition Shark Tank, an initiative that challenges recent Nutrition Sciences graduates to transform academic knowledge into practical solutions for some of today’s most pressing health challenges.
Inspired by the format of the well-known entrepreneurship television show, Nutrition Shark Tank is a platform where science, creativity, and critical thinking converge, showcasing projects designed to generate meaningful impact on population health.
The initiative is driven by a shared ambition to combine technical expertise in nutrition with the best practices for bringing ideas into society and the economy. It brings together NOVA Medical School, the Health Economics & Management Knowledge Center, and the Haddad Entrepreneurship Institute at NOVA School of Business and Economics.
At a time when “health does not begin within the healthcare system, but much earlier—in schools, through nutrition, physical activity, environments, and health literacy”—the event promotes a shift in perspective, encouraging a more integrated, preventive, and outcomes-oriented approach to health.
Throughout the first semester, students participated in the Shark Academy, a structured program of mentorship and masterclasses developed in partnership with NOVA SBE. The program equipped participants with the tools to identify real-world problems and develop innovative, sustainable, and practical solutions for the healthcare ecosystem.
At the final event, teams will present their projects to a panel of experts—the “Sharks”—composed of leaders from healthcare, industry, innovation, and public policy. More than simply evaluating ideas, the panel will challenge assumptions, provide critical insights, and help refine the proposed solutions. Invited organizations include leading institutions such as Nestlé, CUF, Médis, Hospital da Luz, Multicare, Diaverum, Taguspark, and Sonae MC, among others.
“Nutrition Shark Tank was created from the conviction that future health professionals should not only master scientific knowledge but also be able to create solutions, lead change, and generate meaningful impact in people’s lives,” said Conceição Calhau, Coordinator of the Undergraduate Program in Nutrition Sciences.
The event will also feature the “Health 360” Roundtable, a strategic discussion bringing together experts from academia (Ana Moita Macedo, NOVA Medical School), health economics (Pedro Pita Barros, NOVA SBE), the business sector (Eduardo Batista Correia, Taguspark), and local government (Bárbara Carvalho, Cascais City Council) to discuss the major challenges facing Portugal’s healthcare system.
Based on the premise that health is shaped far beyond healthcare services, the discussion will promote an integrated and preventive vision of health, addressing topics such as sustainability, healthcare financing, professional training, public policy, and the role of local communities. More than a debate, the session aims to lay the foundations for a shared health agenda, focusing on what improves health and reduces risk, strengthening prevention, and creating lasting impact in people’s lives.