We are Hiring an Administrative Assistant

About the Position

 

About Us:

Empowered Startups is a Global Startup Incubator, Accelerator, and Foundry with a diverse and expansive portfolio of international relationships and businesses. We partner with public research facilities to mentor, accelerate and incubate innovative domestic and global business ideas. We work with both aspiring and driven entrepreneurial leaders and businesspeople capable of building outstanding startups that enhance the prosperity of their chosen ecosystem. Our award-winning proprietary digital incubation platform ESP (www.esplatform.com) is used by research facilities, public incubators, and education institutions globally.

Job Overview:

We are looking for a skilled and conscientious Administrative Assistant to join our operations team and assist with preparing and organizing key documents, tracking and compiling information, and managing related correspondence. This position involves managing and producing significant volumes of documents, so attention to detail is critical.

Duties & Responsibilities:

  •  Implementing administrative tasks and processes necessary for the operation of the organization

  • Data entry and compilation

  • Document production

  • Circulating and coordinating signatures and assisting in the compilation of documents and related information

  • Management of CRM system

  • Corporate records management

  • Legal assistant type duties

Qualifications:

  • Strong English speaking and writing skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills with excellent communication skills
  • A passion for detail and excellence
  • Familiarity with Salesforce and QuickBooks is an asset but not required
  • Fluency in Portuguese is beneficial but not require

How to Apply:

Submit CV to [email protected]. Cover letters (optional) can be addressed to the Hiring Manager.

Start Date:

Immediate or as soon as possible. The position will remain open until it is filled.

We appreciate everyone that applies, however only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Empowered Startups Signs MOU with Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo (IPVC) to Expand HQA Visa™ Program

Empowered Startups Signs MOU with Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo (IPVC) to Expand HQA Visa™ Program

Viana do Castelo, Portugal – July 18, 2023 – Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo has entered an MOU with Empowered Startups to expand Empowered’s HQA Visa™ Program to the institution. This will give IPVC the opportunity to receive foreign direct investment towards research secured through the program. 

“[This MOU] will leverage and allow closer relations between the Polytechnic of Viana do Castelo, which has scientific and technological know-how, and foreign companies, which aim to receive this knowledge and invest in the national market,” said IPVC President Carlos Rodrigues. “It will also make the territory more cohesive, inclusive and competitive.” 

Empowered Startups, a Canadian multinational based in Évora, has been operating its HQA Visa program in Portugal for a little over three years, but recently delivered to the Government a Commitment Letter agreeing to recruit 50 new entrepreneurs, business executives, and domain experts to invest in new projects within the next 12 months, and then to grow the program further each year thereafter. The Commitment Letter was presented to the Minister of Territorial Cohesion, Ana Abrunhosa in a session at the Alentejo Science and Technology Park, on February 8, 2023. 

Empowered Startups has already established partnerships with the universities of the Algarve, Aveiro, Évora, Beira Interior and with the polytechnic institutes of Bragança, Guarda, Leiria, Santarém, and Portalegre. With the addition of Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, Empowered Startups will further its commitment to expand the program to universities and polytechnics throughout the interior regions. 

“With this program, we bring direct foreign investment to universities and polytechnics in the form of research funding and commercialization expertise. Our program also brings broader economic stimuli, particularly to the interior regions, by creating and establishing new companies, commercializing new technology, and bringing international talent to local economies,” says Chris Lennon, President of Empowered Startups.  

The HQA Visa Program aims to recruit highly qualified foreign professionals, with domain expertise, business leadership, and entrepreneurial experience, to start and finance research projects at Universities and Polytechnics and to spin out new startup companies to commercialize Portuguese innovation resulting from those projects. 

More information about the HQA Visa Program can be found at https://hqavisa.pt/ and at https://empoweredstartups.com/portugal-hqa-visa/. 

About Empowered Startups: 

Founded in 2009 in Vancouver, Canada, Empowered Startups’ mission is to connect work done in universities with the business world, helping researchers and entrepreneurs commercialize innovation. It has focused its work in remote and rural areas to attract talent and new job and business opportunities to these locations. Since its founding year, it has supported more than 450 startups on 6 different continents. 

Canada’s New Tech Talent Strategy to Include Improvements to the Canada Startup Visa Program

Canada’s New Tech Talent Strategy to Include Improvements to the Canada Startup Visa Program

Canada Has Launched Their First-Ever Tech Talent Strategy to Foster Innovation and Growth Including Improvements to the Canada Startup Visa Program

Over the past several years, our Empowered Startups executive team has had several conversations with IRCC about how to grow and streamline innovation through programs like the Canada Startup Visa program – and they’ve listened! In an exciting move to fuel growth, today Canada’s immigration minister has unveiled its first-ever Tech Talent Strategy. Included in today’s announcement are great changes to the Startup Visa Program – adding more flexibility for founders. Here is a quick summary of the key highlights of this groundbreaking initiative.

Supporting Canadian Startups: IRCC has acknowledged startups play a vital role in driving innovation and economic growth. The new Tech Talent Strategy acknowledges this by focusing on supporting Canadian startups. The government has announced increased quotas, introduced a 3 year work permit for program participants (reducing the need to renew and do excess paperwork), and Startup Visa work permits will be open so that entrepreneurs can also provide expertise and economic boosts to existing businesses in Canada.

Attracting Global Tech Talent: The Tech Talent Strategy aims to make Canada a magnet for skilled professionals in the technology sector. By welcoming talented individuals from across the globe and allowing Startup Visa founders to work as subject matter experts under open work permits, Canada hopes to boost its tech industry and foster an environment of innovation. This will provide ample opportunities for both Canadians and international experts to collaborate and contribute to the country’s technological advancements.

Encouraging Diversity and Inclusion: Canada takes pride in its multiculturalism and diversity, and the Tech Talent Strategy upholds these values. The initiative promotes diversity and inclusion in the tech sector by actively seeking talent from underrepresented groups. By harnessing the potential of diverse perspectives and experiences, Canada aims to build a vibrant and inclusive tech ecosystem.

Investing in Skills Development: To ensure a strong and skilled tech workforce, the Tech Talent Strategy emphasizes the importance of investing in skills development. The government plans to collaborate with educational institutions and industry leaders to offer relevant training programs and courses. This will equip Canadians with the necessary skills to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving tech landscape and secure high-quality employment opportunities.

Canada’s first-ever Tech Talent Strategy marks a significant milestone in the country’s quest to become a global leader in technology and innovation. By attracting top tech talent, supporting startups, fostering diversity, and investing in skills development, Canada aims to build a thriving and inclusive tech ecosystem and we are thrilled to be a part of it. This strategy sets the stage for an exciting future, where Canada can leverage its diverse talent pool to drive technological advancements and secure its position on the global tech stage.

Photo by Luis Quintero

 

News From The Incubator: Southpond Technologies Sees Major Success From First Beta Test

News From The Incubator: Southpond Technologies Sees Major Success From First Beta Test

Southpond Technologies Sees Major Success from first Beta Test

Southpond Technologies, a venture in incubation at Empowered Startups, has recently completed the first beta test of its online financial education product, Investment Jigsaws, with impressive results. Southpond Technologies’ mission is to provide an easy way for the public to learn and understand complex financial products. The goal of its inaugural game-based education product, Investment Jigsaws, is to increase financial literacy among non-finance professionals and help users make informed decisions on how to invest and save money.

For Southpond Technologies, this beta test was a way to test the difficulty of the puzzles, and the overall satisfaction with the online experience and key features of the solution. After testing Investment Jigsaws with 143 users, 82% of users provided positive feedback, noting the product was ‘helpful’, ‘easy to use’, and ‘of good quality’. Feedback also included that the puzzles were very detailed and that it was a great tool to learn about investment.

‘I believe with the right tools, non-finance professionals can understand the key elements of complex financial products, which will empower their ability to make smart investment decisions. Our mission is to reveal what is behind the curtain of institutional investors through interactive, easy to understand games. The Empowered Startups team has helped me find a clear path from idea to product and from a mission to a full-fledged business. -Howard (Haimo) Yang, Founder

The Investment Jigsaw Beta test also illustrated key areas for improvement in the user flow of the product. The next development process will include fixing bugs and adding in specific actions such as a back button or a timer that measures how long users spend on each question. The next test will include two more complicated jigsaw puzzles explaining more complex topics, with an expected completion date later this year.

Want to participate in the current Investment Jigsaw beta test? You can try it for free here

About Southpond Technologies

Southpond Technologies is a financial education platform that provides easy, fun games for individuals to understand the essentials of complex financial products and systems. The goal is to educate and empower the public on financial literacy, helping individuals make more informed choices on the best investment and financial products to reach their goals.

 

Contact Information
Website
Email
LinkedIn

Photo by Lukas

Empowered Startups Signs MOU with Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal (IPS) to Expand HQA Visa™ Program

Empowered Startups Signs MOU with Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal (IPS) to Expand HQA Visa™ Program

Evora, Portugal,  June 9, 2023 – Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal (IPS) has entered an MOU with Empowered Startups to expand Empowered’s HQA Visa™ Program to the institution. This will give Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal (IPS) the opportunity to receive foreign direct investment towards research secured through the program.

Empowered Startups, a Canadian multinational based in Évora, has been operating its HQA Visa program in Portugal for a little over three years, but recently delivered to the Government a Commitment Letter agreeing to recruit 50 new entrepreneurs, business executives, and domain experts to invest in new projects within the next 12 months, and then to grow the program further each year thereafter. The Commitment Letter was presented to the Minister of Territorial Cohesion, Ana Abrunhosa in a session, at the Alentejo Science and Technology Park, earlier this year, on February 8th, 2023.

Empowered Startups has already established partnerships with the universities of the Algarve, Aveiro, Évora, Beira Interior and with the polytechnic institutes of Bragança, Guarda, Leiria, Santarém, and Portalegre. With the addition of Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal (IPS), Empowered Startups will further its commitment to expand the program to Universities and Polytechnics throughout the interior regions.

The HQA Visa Program aims to recruit highly qualified foreign professionals, with domain expertise, business leadership, and entrepreneurial experience, to start and finance research projects at Universities and Polytechnics and to spin out new startup companies to commercialize Portuguese innovation resulting from those projects.

“With this program, we bring direct foreign investment to Universities and Polytechnics in the form of research funding and commercialization expertise. Our program also brings broader economic stimuli, particularly to the interior regions, by creating and establishing new companies, commercializing new technology, and bringing international talent to local economies,” says Chris Lennon, President of Empowered Startups. “We work outside of major urban centers because by strengthening the connection between the quality research that takes place there and the local business fabrics, we are able to create meaningful impact and generate new opportunities in these territories. This is, we believe, fundamental for the sustainable future of the country.”

More information about the HQA Visa Program can be found at https://hqavisa.pt/ and at https://empoweredstartups.com/portugal-hqa-visa/.

About Empowered Startups:

Founded in 2009 in Vancouver, Canada, Empowered Startups’ mission is to connect work done in universities with the business world, helping researchers and entrepreneurs commercialize innovation. It has focused its work in remote and rural areas to attract talent and new job and business opportunities to these locations. Since its founding year, it has supported more than 450 startups on 6 different continents.