Theme: The Edge of Possible

TEDxNOVA 2025 invites you to stand at the threshold of what we believe to be possible, and to take a step further. This year, we explore what happens when bold ideas meet the boundaries of our imagination. “The Edge of Possible” is not just a place; it’s a mindset. It is where innovation begins, where courage is tested, and where the future is shaped.

At TEDxNOVA, our speakers will challenge assumptions and go beyond limits. From breakthroughs in technology to radical reimaginings of social structures, they will take us to the very frontier of change. And they will ask us: What lies beyond?

This year’s event is a celebration of human potential. Of the thinkers, the doers and the dreamers who push past what is known, not because it is easy, but because progress lives at the edge. In a world where the lines between impossible and achievable are constantly shifting, “The Edge of Possible” dares each of us to lean forward and leap.

IMS-NOVA
Campus de Campolide
Lisboa, Lisboa, 1070-312
Portugal

André Pacheco

Physical Oceanographer

André Pacheco is a physical oceanographer at the Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, specializing in coastal oceanography and sustainable marine solutions. André’s current work focuses on marine renewable energies and building sustainable island communities to address climate change adaptation and mitigation. He has contributed to testing marine energy prototypes in EU waters and is committed to translating scientific knowledge into practical, community-focused solutions. Since 2019, André has coordinated Culatra 2030 – Sustainable Energy Community, a pioneering European Commission-supported initiative transforming the island into a living lab for sustainability. Through decentralized energy production, circular economy practices and net-zero transportation, Culatra aims to become the first fully sustainable community in Portugal, setting a global example for island transition and climate resilience.

António Santos

Founder of Windcredible

António Pedro Brito dos Santos is a visionary entrepreneur transforming the urban wind energy sector. A former Corporal in the Portuguese National Republican Guard, he left public service at 39 to found Windcredible, a startup dedicated to making sustainable energy accessible, innovative, and community-driven. A Luso-Cape Verdean, António was born and raised in the vibrant diaspora community often called the “eleventh island of Cape Verde,” carrying his heritage and cultural pride into every project he pursues. Trained in Electronics by the Portuguese Air Force, he combines military discipline, technical expertise, and entrepreneurial vision to tackle one of humanity’s greatest challenges: climate change. Passionate about technology, history, and nature, António believes in a global energy re-education that empowers individuals to take part in building a sustainable future—one urban wind turbine at a time.

Benilde Pondeca

Molecular Biology Researcher

Benilde Pondeca is a Mozambican scientist passionate about life sciences and solving complex clinical and biological problems. She earned her PhD in Biomedicine from Nova Medical School and currently works at Ophiomics, where she leads IVD product development in molecular biology research. Growing up in a developing country and receiving a scholarship to pursue her scientific career fueled her deep commitment to education and mentorship. She channels this passion into empowering the next generation of scientists through teaching and volunteering, notably with the Science on the Walls initiative, inspiring young minds to explore the world of science and discovery. Benilde’s work blends cutting-edge research with a dedication to community impact, demonstrating how science can transform lives, open doors, and spark curiosity.

Eric DeWitt

Cognitive Neuroscientist

Eric DeWitt is a cognitive neuroscientist passionate about uncovering the biological and computational foundations of decision making. He completed his PhD at New York University, combining theory and experiments in reinforcement learning and neuroeconomics to understand how dopamine shapes decisions in humans and primates. For his postdoctoral work in Portugal, Eric dove into rodent research, studying the roles of serotonin and dopamine. Beyond the lab, Eric is deeply committed to science education and outreach. He co-founded and directed multiple summer schools, including the Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience Summer School, and co-launched Neuromatch Academy, a global, online cognitive neuroscience program. Currently, as a Research Associate leading the Computational Cognitive Decision Science Laboratory at Champalimaud Research, Eric collaborates with researchers worldwide to study how neuromodulators influence learning and decision making.

Francisco Soares

NOVA SBE Student

Francisco Soares is a second-year Management student at Nova SBE, turning bold ideas into tangible impact. Passionate about empowering youth, he is co-creating a tech platform that encourages networking and collaboration among aspiring teen entrepreneurs. His belief that “financial literacy isn’t just about money or spreadsheets – it’s about agency, dignity, and freedom” inspired the creation of LONEY, an award-winning financial literacy concept game equipping Portuguese students with essential life skills. Recognized nationally and internationally, LONEY aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, treating financial empowerment as a fundamental human right. Francisco thrives at the intersection of creativity and structured problem-solving, driven to transform ideas into real-world solutions and build systems that restore dignity through knowledge.

Guilherme Victorino

Associate Dean and Professor at NOVA IMS

Guilherme Victorino is currently Associate Dean and professor at NOVA Information Management School in the areas of Design Thinking, Change Management and Knowledge Management and coordinates two Post Graduation Courses in the areas of Information Management and Business Intelligence in Healthcare and Digital Marketing. He is also coordinator of the Design Thinking course at the NOVA Doctoral School, accompanying PhD students in disruptive innovation processes. He has a career of more than 15 years as an Executive in the sectors like Healthcare, Media and Telecommunications. Guilherme is certified trainer in Design Thinking and Change Management, having the opportunity of working on new approaches to innovation in reference companies in several countries. Currently he is the Director of the NOVA Innovation & Analytics Lab, leading a team of data scientist and design thinkers in the development of innovation projects with public and private sectors.

James Breiding

CEO at Naissance Capital and S8nations

Founder of S8nations, a global initiative and non-profit organization, inspired by my latest book ‘Too Small to Fail’. It is dedicated to making an impact – promoting success stories of small nations around the world, and facilitating learning and collaboration. Founder of Naissance Capital Ltd, a Swiss investment firm that finds or creates outstanding investment opportunities in non-traditional investments including private equity; hedge funds; and special situations. Author of ‘Swiss Made – the Untold Story of Switzerland’s success’ (Profile Books) and ‘Too Small to Fail – How some Small Nations are Reshaping the World’ (Harper Collins). Available in 10 languages, ‘Swiss Made’ has become the most authoritative work on ‘Swissness’. Many of the leading Swiss companies, foundations, and high net worth individuals have supported the Swiss Made initiative, designed to raise awareness of Swiss achievements at home and abroad.

Miguel Neto

Director of NOVA Information Management School (NOVA IMS)

Miguel de Castro Neto is the Director of NOVA Information Management School and an Associate Professor at the institution, where he leads the NOVA Cidade – Urban Analytics Lab. He is also the founder of the NOVA Business Intelligence & Analytics Lab in partnership with BI4All and Microsoft, and co-founder of the NOVA Data-Driven Public Policy Lab. Neto has served as the Secretary of State for Land Planning and Nature Conservation, advocating policies like ‘Sustainable Cities 2020’ and the reintroduction of the Iberian Lynx in Portugal. He holds a PhD in Agricultural Engineering from the Instituto Superior de Agronomia and a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Évora. As an academic, he stands out for creating innovative programs in Business Intelligence and Smart Cities, including specialization in Knowledge Management and Business Intelligence, internationally recognized as the best master’s degree in the field by Eduniversal for the sixth year.

Qian Janice Wang

Section Design & Consumer Behaviour

Qian Janice Wang is an experimental psychologist and computer scientist exploring why we eat what we eat. As Head of Section for Design and Consumer Behaviour at the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Food Science, her research investigates the brain’s flavour system and its influence on eating behaviour, aiming to encourage healthier and more sustainable lifestyle choices. Janice completed her PhD at the Crossmodal Research Laboratory at the University of Oxford and holds a master’s degree from the MIT Media Lab, bringing together expertise in computer science, interaction design, experimental psychology and sensory science. A lifelong lover of wine, Janice is a stage 3 Master of Wine student and WSET educator, and proudly led Oxford to victory over Cambridge in the varsity blind tasting competition. Her passion for sensory experiences—whether in food or wine—fuels her curiosity and innovative approach to research.

Razvan Sandru

Phenomology Researcher at Champalimaud Foundation

Adrian Razvan Sandru completed his PhD in Phenomenology at University of Tuebingen, Germany, in 2020, with a thesis on the nature of subjectivity in liminal situations. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Champalimaud Foundation, contributing to translational research, with a focus on the development of conceptual frameworks and naturalistic experimental design for the study of lived experience. He has published several articles and a book on the meaning of self in situations of uncertainty, which contribute to the theoretical development of phenomenological approaches to the non-rational dimensions of subjectivity, as well as on morality and sociopolitical consequences of philosophical thought, where he emphasises the role that community plays in human well-being. He coordinates the Ethics Working Group within the Science for Policy Bridge AI project.

Véronique Lerch

International Human Rights Consultant

Véronique Lerch is an international human rights consultant with a refreshing vision: to reimagine advocacy and create real social change. Refusing to be limited by traditional approaches, she once designed a creative laboratory exploring humour as a tool for advancing human rights, sparking innovative conversations and producing an inspiring series of videos. Her work spans a wide spectrum—from business and human rights to child rights and the ethics of technology—bringing together unconventional alliances and fresh perspectives to address today’s most pressing issues. Véronique supports organizations in policy and strategy development, advocacy planning, organizational growth, and capacity-building. Beyond her consulting work, she is a passionate facilitator, trainer, and lecturer, teaching at various universities and helping professionals unlock their potential as changemakers.