Escola Superior de Atividades Imobiliárias (ESAI) Joins Empowered’s Network in Portugal
On September 18, 2025, Empowered Startups added another celebrated institution of higher education to its growing network in…
On September 18, 2025, Empowered Startups added another celebrated institution of higher education to its growing network in Portugal. The Escola Superior de Atividades Imobiliárias (ESAI, the Higher School of Real Estate Activities) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Empowered, adding to the list of universities and polytechnics partnering with Empowered for the HQA® Program.
ESAI is a member of the Associação Portuguesa do Ensino Superior Privado (APESP, Portuguese Association of Private Higher Education), an organization which Empowered partnered with in July of this year. The private university, founded in 1989, is located in Lisbon, Portugal, and focuses on innovation in the real estate sector and related industries. ESAI is the first higher education institution to join the HQA® Program in the capital city.
Making Strides in Portugal
“The MOU with ESAI represents an expansion from Portugal’s interior to new opportunities in major cities in the country,” notes Francesco Berrettini, Director of Partnerships & Projects at Empowered Startups. “Our focus remains on territorial cohesion in the interior regions, but accessing major cities will allow us to scale the HQA’s impact by attracting global capital, retaining local talent, and fueling Portugal’s innovation economy.”
As Empowered’s partner network grows in Portugal, so does the number of internationally funded research projects with the HQA® Program. The program invites global academics, professionals, and entrepreneurs to bring their expertise to Portugal, launching and growing innovative ventures that make a real impact. Professionals are paired with Portuguese institutions on these projects, which are funded through foreign direct investment.
If you’re interested in the HQA® Program, visit the program page for more information on how to apply.
