PBDH promotes access to Test Before Invest opportunities at the Infante D. Henrique Regulatory Sandbox
May 13, 2026
The Portugal Blue Digital Hub (PBDH) promoted an initiative dedicated to access to Test Before Invest opportunities at the Infante D. Henrique Regulatory Sandbox (ZLT) of the Portuguese Navy, strengthening the connection between companies, innovation ecosystem entities and the Portuguese Navy.
The session aimed to present the capabilities, expertise and facilitation services provided by the Infante D. Henrique ZLT, a space designed for the experimentation, validation and demonstration of technologies in real or near-real environments. Focused on emerging digital technologies, the initiative showcased new possibilities for testing and developing solutions applied to the Blue Economy, contributing to accelerating the sector’s digital and environmental transition.
Throughout the day, participants had the opportunity to learn more about the Portuguese Navy’s innovation programmes aimed at startups and SMEs, including REPMUS, a reference initiative for the demonstration and experimentation of unmanned systems and emerging technologies in operational contexts. The session therefore helped frame the Navy’s role as a promoter of innovation, technological collaboration and the development of solutions with applications in the maritime domain.
The initiative also included the observation of ongoing tests in aquatic and aerial environments, providing participants with a practical insight into the conditions and opportunities offered by the ZLT. These moments demonstrated the potential of this type of infrastructure to support companies and innovative entities in validating solutions before they enter the market.
In addition to the technical and demonstrative component, the meeting promoted networking and matchmaking moments, creating space to identify opportunities for collaboration between different actors in the ecosystem. The presence of Sines Tecnopolo also reinforced the importance of cooperation between national entities in driving innovation, fostering new synergies and supporting the development of technological solutions aimed at addressing the challenges of the Blue Economy.
With this initiative, PBDH reinforces its role as a facilitator of the Blue Economy’s digital and environmental transition, promoting access to testing, demonstration and experimentation infrastructures that enable companies to reduce risks, validate technologies and accelerate innovation processes.