The robust partnership between the University of Algarve (UAlg) and Empowered Startups continues to thrive with the announcement of an innovative project that has the potential to influence the future of public spaces around the world. AI for Placemaking seeks to revolutionize how urban spaces are conceptualized, designed and managed by integrating AI into public infrastructure to construct more vibrant, resilient and people-centered cities. Lee Berlin, a founding partner of Formwerkz Architects in Singapore, has signed a contract with UAlg to collaborate on researching and developing artificial intelligence to enhance the process by which public spaces are created, known as placemaking.
“This project will combine architecture and AI for the development of a solution that will accelerate the design process and improve customer experience,” explained Paulo Martins, Empowered’s Startup Leader in Portugal. “It’s a perfect blend of knowledge and experience between the researchers and entrepreneurs that combines various scientific areas that align with the main business idea of this startup. It’s been a gratifying experience to work in partnership with The University of Algarve on this R&D project with our entrepreneurs.”
HQA Visa Program Paying Dividends at UAlg
Berlin has come to Portugal via Empowered Startups’ HQA Visa Program, which facilitates immigration and start-up incubation for accomplished businesspeople. The program pairs entrepreneurs with partner institutions in its large network of Portuguese universities and polytechnics for the purpose of collaborating on innovative R&D projects. AI for Placemaking is the second HQA project signing at UAlg in the past two weeks with at least two more contract signings coming later this spring via the HQA Visa Program. Since 2021, UAlg has welcomed more than 25 start-up projects through its partnership with Empowered Startups.
Empowering Territorial Cohesion
One of the core tenets of Empowered’s HQA Visa Program is improving territorial cohesion in Portugal through regional economic development. By partnering with a prestigious network of more than a dozen Portuguese universities and polytechnics, like UAlg, located outside of the country’s major urban centres, Empowered Startups is able to match these institutions with accomplished international businesspeople to collaborate on innovative, high-potential projects. The HQA Visa Program has now brought more than 70 entrepreneurs to Portugal as part of Empowered Startups’ three-year commitment to facilitate 250 internationally funded projects to at least 10 universities and polytechnics throughout the country.
