The 5G Challenge 2025, a technological innovation initiative promoted by MEO Empresas, yesterday distinguished the most innovative and transformative solutions in the area of 5G technology. The 3rd edition of the competition was marked by the presence and participation, as members of the jury, of personalities from the technological ecosystem, namely representatives from MEO Empresas, Altice Labs, RTP, Rádio Observador and the National Innovation Agency.
The event highlighted MEO Empresas ' commitment to promoting digital transformation in Portuguese companies, demonstrating the growing impact of 5G technology on the global market. This year's edition allowed participants to test their solutions on a private 5G mobile network, through the Private Custom Network solution, and explore its potential in critical sectors of society such as health, education, industry, agriculture and sustainability, smart cities, logistics and entertainment.
Winners of the 5G Challenge 2025
5G Technology Innovation Award (€20,000): Vologram Messages for Academia | Volograms (Ireland)
A solution that transforms ordinary videos into immersive 3D holograms that are easy to create, replicate in new contexts and share. It works on mobile devices and can be transmitted via 5G, making communication more personal, interactive and emotional, without the need for specialized equipment. Vologram Messages offer an engaging and memorable way to communicate, going beyond traditional video and digital content, simplifying the process so that anyone can create a volumetric hologram with just a video upload.
Best Portuguese Solution Award (€10,000): Verbo | Ledovox (Portugal)
Push-to-talk communication platform with AI, designed for teams on the ground in critical sectors. It uses 5G for fast voice communications, integrates contextual assistance, smart notifications and automates voice-guided tasks, improving operational efficiency and safety.
Sustainability and Social Impact Award (€1,000 voucher in the Online Shop): Amelia Survey | Amelia Hub SL (Spain)
SaaS tool for professionals who interact with 3D data. It allows you to upload, process and analyze images in areas such as surveying or construction. It allows you to calculate stocks of raw materials or objects from images, generate reports and adjust boundaries in 3D models, optimizing informed decision-making and workflow.
The 2025 edition had 42 entries, reflecting the growing interest and participation of companies from all over the world. The diversity of projects and the presence of finalists from countries such as the USA, China, Spain, Canada and Ireland demonstrate the diversity and international reach of the competition.
Finalist solutions in the spotlight
- AI Biodiversity-Care SaaS (China): Platform that uses AI and IoT sensors connected by 5G to detect forest fires and monitor biodiversity in real time.
- Amelia Survey (Spain): SaaS tool for advanced analysis in 3D models in sectors such as construction and mining.
- Grab'n'Go (Portugal): Digital Twin for automated stores based on computer vision and 5G cameras, with no need for local infrastructure.
- Infinity Arena (Portugal): Application for streaming sports events in virtual and mixed reality, with an immersive experience and no latency.
- Internet of Cargo (Portugal): Real-time monitoring of global logistics assets with 5G, cloud AI and blockchain.
- Kule 360 (Portugal): Intelligent security equipment with cameras, AI and a drone landing and charging platform, ideal for industrial environments or cities.
- NetAware (Canada): Application Enablement Platform (AEP), which exposes critical network services via standardized APIs, including CAMARA APIs, and proprietary interfaces, revolutionizing the deployment and use of 5G private networks.
- PolyEdge (USA): Monitoring crowds and vehicles in real time with 5G signals, without cameras or wearables, using ISAC (Integrated Sensing and Communication) technology. By using existing 5G and Wi-Fi networks, it transforms everyday wireless signals into actionable information in real time.
- Verbo (Portugal): Push-to-talk communication platform with AI for operational teams in critical sectors.
- Vologram Messages for Academia (Ireland): Solution for creating and sharing immersive 3D holograms via 5G, accessible on mobile devices.
The importanceThe importance of 5G for the digital future of companies
The 5G Challenge 2025 was a showcase for pioneering solutions, demonstrating how 5G can boost sustainability, operational efficiency and security in multiple sectors. Withexclusive access to the private 5G network, participants were able to test their solutions in real-life scenarios, showing the concrete impact of this technology on reducing carbon footprints, optimizing industrial processes and digitizing critical services.
With the success of this edition, MEO Empresas reinforces its commitment to open innovation and invites startups and companies from all over the world to participate in future editions of this type of initiative, contributing to the development of technological solutions that drive growth and digital transformation at a global level.