HQA® Visa Program Fostering Global Connection at IPS
A new project at the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal (IPS) has the potential to enhance Portugal’s business relations…
A new project at the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal (IPS) has the potential to enhance Portugal’s business relations with the rest of the world while simultaneously improving territorial cohesion within the country. Through its novel HQA® Visa Program, Empowered Startups has facilitated a partnership between IPS and investor Burak Yilmaz, whose project, Portuconnect, aims to increase the levels of both intercultural competence and intercultural communication within the Portuguese business community.
“Working with Empowered Startups has been an incredible journey. From the very beginning, they have provided unwavering support in launching my project, PortuConnect. Their extensive connections to a vast network of research centers were instrumental in helping me find the right partners at the university. After several rounds of negotiations and collaborative efforts, I’m thrilled to share that I have signed a research contract with IPS,” beamed an elated Yilmaz at the Setúbal campus. “The team at Empowered Startups patiently helped shape my idea, turning my vision into a reality. This has been an amazing experience thanks to their dedication and expertise.”
Improving Business Outcomes
Yilmaz, who has studied and worked in several distinct cultural environments around the world, has witnessed firsthand the direct benefits of intercultural competence in individuals and organizations. This collaborative project will thoroughly assess the current state of intercultural competence within the Portuguese business community while establishing Portuconnect, an online platform that will provide resources for improving intercultural competence in order to improve business relations between Portugal and the rest of the world.
Intercultural competence refers to the ability to communicate effectively and collaborate well with people from different cultural backgrounds. It plays a crucial role in international business due to the increasing globalization of the business environment.
Intercultural communication describes communication between people whose “cultural perceptions and symbol systems are distinct enough” to alter their communication. Developing intercultural competence creates a valuable asset in international business, enabling individuals and organizations to engage effectively in cross-cultural situations and contribute to positive business outcomes.
Creating Cohesion in Portugal
Like every project facilitated by Empowered Startups’ HQA® Visa Program, this endeavour brings foreign direct investment to a Portuguese institution of higher education and creates research opportunities for PhD and master’s students. By partnering with universities and polytechnics outside of Portugal’s major urban centres, Empowered Startups is infusing smaller communities with both investment and opportunity, thus improving territorial cohesion throughout the country.
The month of October will see frequent and exciting project announcements at a variety of institutions across Empowered’s partner network, all made possible through the HQA® Visa Program. These imminent announcements will add to the record-breaking number of Portuguese startups founded through the HQA® Visa Program, as Empowered accelerates the amount of foreign direct investment it attracts to Portugal.
Empowered Startups’ President, Chris Lennon, recently told Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro that Canadian multi-national expects to “bring over 50 million Euros of foreign direct investment” to Portugal over the next three years through its HQA® Visa Program.
Learn more details about the HQA® Visa Program
