Empowered Announces New Partnership with Associação Portuguesa do Ensino Superior Privado (APESP) 

On July 15, 2025, Empowered Startups announced an exciting partnership with the Associação Portuguesa do Ensino Superior Privado (APESP). APESP represents 38 non-state higher education institutions in Portugal and works to improve the country’s higher education system. It seeks to contribute to a modern and dynamic system that attracts bright students and prepares the next generation to face present and future challenges. 

The Future of Collaboration 

The partnership between Empowered and APESP opens new possibilities for students, entrepreneurs, researchers, and higher education institutions. At its core is a shared commitment to collaboration and innovation. Together, we hope to connect researchers and global professionals, facilitating knowledge exchanges that foster learning, cultural understanding, and academic growth.  

Driving Innovation Across Portugal  

The future of Portugal’s knowledge economy lies in its ability to unite higher education institutions, private capital, and global talent under a shared, strategic vision. Though policy plays a role in shaping this future, collaborative efforts are the key to creating sustainable, systemic support structures.   

Empowered currently partners with 16 universities and polytechnics throughout Portugal. This new partnership with APESP will be an exciting next step in bringing additional foreign direct investment into Portugal through the HQA® Program. Empowered Startups is the only government-endorsed delivery partner of the HQA® Program. It invites global academics, professionals, and entrepreneurs to bring their expertise to Portugal by launching and growing innovative research ventures that make a measurable impact.  

We look forward to the ideas and innovations that will come from this collaboration. 

Learn more about the APESP and the Portugal HQA® Program.