Innovative cocktails created at ESHTE win award

A finalist from the Estoril School of Hospitality and Tourism developed a new ready-to-mix drink concept for consumers seeking a high-quality, artisanal experience, using freeze-drying technology and 100% natural ingredients.

The ‘Fusion‘ project, by João Silva, a finalist in the Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management at the Estoril School of Hospitality and Tourism, won 3rd place in the national final of the 21st edition of Poliempreende, considered the largest entrepreneurship competition in polytechnic education in Portugal.

‘Fusion‘ offers instant powdered cocktails, created for consumers seeking a high-quality, artisanal experience using freeze-drying technology and 100% natural ingredients. It is an innovative concept that the creator and the institution believe will revolutionize the cocktail and ready-to-mix drink industry. Third place earned João Silva a three-thousand-euro bonus from the OCC (Order of Certified Accountants).

“This award reinforces ESHTE’s role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among its students and alumni. The school’s academic community congratulates student João Silva, who received support from his colleague Débora Medeiros in preparing and presenting his project. This excellent result is a source of pride for our institution and demonstrates the relevance of the education in hospitality, tourism, and entrepreneurship that the School provides,” said Carlos Brandão, president of the Estoril School of Hospitality and Tourism.

After an intense week of activities, focused on the defence of the 20 best business ideas presented by various polytechnic higher education institutions—which included an intensive training, mentoring, and networking program—the three best projects, including that of the ESHTE finalist, were recognised this week at the University of Aveiro.

The winner of the competition, which was awarded a €10,000 prize, was Fertiwool, a project from the Polytechnic of Portalegre that uses wool to transform it into a 100% natural, sustainable, and highly beneficial organic fertiliser for the soil.

The second prize went to a team from the Polytechnic of Setúbal, with Ignitronic, an integrated and intelligent platform designed to monitor, detect, and immediately intervene in the event of a fire. They won a €5,000 bonus.

At 34 years old, ESHTE is one of the higher education institutions with the best job placement rates in Portugal. In 2024, it achieved an employability rate of nearly 96%. This success is due, in part, to the strong connection between academia and the business sector, a practice that will not change with the integration announced today.

The institution offers undergraduate programs in Hotel Management and Administration, Leisure and Tourism Management, Tourism Management, Tourism Information, and Restaurant Food Production. The school currently offers eight master’s degrees: Food Design, Hotel Management, Innovation in Culinary Arts and Sciences, Food Safety and Quality in Restaurants, Tourism and Communication, Tourism: Strategic Event Management, Tourism: Strategic Destination Management, and Tourism: Innovation in Active and Experience-Based Tourism. In addition to a Doctorate in Tourism, the school offers advanced training (postgraduate) in Cultural Tourism, Literary Tourism, Start-up Creation and Management in Tourism, Food Safety in Catering, Design for Food, and Culinary Arts.

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