The already expansive network of Portuguese universities and polytechnics partnered with Empowered Startups has grown with the addition of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD). Located in the north-eastern city of Vila Real, UTAD becomes the fourteenth higher education institution in Portugal to sign an agreement with the Canadian multinational to participate in its HQA Visa Program. Though the signing is already official, the partnership will be commemorated with a ceremony at UTAD in the coming weeks.
With its uniquely designed HQA Visa Program that stimulates both investment and innovation, Empowered Startups pairs highly accomplished transnational entrepreneurs with Portuguese universities and polytechnics to collaborate on innovative research and development projects. The program facilitates direct investment into R&D at partner institutions providing the schools, researchers, and students with tangible benefits that go beyond the scope of the specific projects.
“We’re pleased to welcome another highly acclaimed university to our HQA Visa Program, which is bringing direct investment, increasing opportunities, and improving territorial cohesion throughout Portugal,” remarked Chris Lennon, President of Empowered Startups. “While the immediate economic stimulus from our investors is important, the long-term impact of the HQA Visa Program will be even more significant. In addition to the knowledge transfer to students and the industry contacts they enable, these projects create avenues for talented individuals to stay in smaller communities instead of leaving for large urban centres or other countries all together.”
Increasing Investment in Portugal
The expansion of its partner network is the latest example of Empowered Startups’ commitment to increase investment in Portugal. Lennon and several members of Empowered’s team in Portugal participated in and brought investors to Startup Capital Summit in Coimbra as well as the inaugural SIM Conference in Porto. Both events featured stakeholders from all sectors of Portugal’s startup ecosystem and were widely celebrated by those who attended. More importantly for the investors Empowered introduced to its network of partners in the higher education and business communities, several compelling opportunities were revealed and will result in further direct investment into the Portuguese economy.
As the only government-endorsed delivery partner of the HQA Visa Program, Empowered Startups has delivered 74 transnational entrepreneurs and well over €4 million of direct investment to Portugal. Empowered Startups is committed to facilitating at least 25 projects and high potential founders to each of 10 Portuguese universities and polytechnics in the span of 36 months through its HQA Visa Program.
