First HQA® Project Rolls into Polytechnic University of Coimbra 

A sustainable tourism project aimed at enhancing cultural and economic interactions between travelers and local businesses throughout Portugal has become the first startup initiated through the HQA®Program at the Polytechnic University of Coimbra (PUC). The inaugural project announcement comes less than nine months after PUC officially joined Empowered Startups’ network of Portuguese universities and polytechnics that partner with transnational entrepreneurs to launch innovative R&D projects through the HQA® Program.   

“This first project signing under the HQA® Program with Empowered Startups reinforces the Polytechnic of Coimbra’s commitment to fostering an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem capable of enhancing knowledge transfer and valorization, thereby acting as a catalyst for the region’s social and economic development,” announced Sara Proença, Director of INOPOL Entrepreneurship Academy at PUC.  

Solving Society’s Challenges

When PUC joined Empowered Startups’ partner network last June, Proença envisioned projects that delivered “practical, innovative solutions aimed at solving society’s challenges while also acting as a catalyst for economic and social development of the region”. The inaugural project lives up to that description in every regard.  

Lead by a Canadian entrepreneur, this project aims to develop a structured information platform that will allow motorhome travelers to safely and seamlessly navigate Portugal’s diverse and remarkable regions in a sustainable, unintrusive manner that both supports and promotes the country’s rural businesses and municipalities.  

Paths Less Traveled 

The Canadian entrepreneur who will spearhead the project is a very accomplished business professional and an avid motorhome enthusiast, who has experienced the full spectrum of benefits and challenges the popular means of travel offers in various countries throughout Europe.  

Combining her business acumen and personal insight with INOPOL’s ability to leverage technology, stakeholder collaboration, and sustainable tourism principles, this project will create a structured, community-driven travel experience that benefits travelers, local businesses, and regional development. The desired outcome is to increase tourism revenue for rural areas, promote economic growth, and enhance the overall travel experience in Portugal. 

HQA® Program Rolls On 

The project signing at PUC adds to an expanding footprint of HQA® endeavours initiated throughout Portugal through Empowered Startups’ novel program, which has delivered more than 6.6 million euros of foreign direct investment to fund innovative research projects across the program’s 15 partner universities and polytechnics.  

Recently, founders from several of these projects congregated with university officials, researchers, and business professionals in Coimbra for insightful discussions on increasing investment and entrepreneurship in Portugal. During the event, Empowered Startups’ President, Chris Lennon, stated the Canadian multinational is on track to facilitate 50 million euros of foreign direct investment to Portugal through its HQA® Program by 2027.  

Learn more about the HQA® Program