Sustainable Success in Portugal | Mohamed Emam 

Sitting comfortably in the lobby of a hotel in Coimbra, Mohamed Emam smiles broadly as he recalls the discovery of the pathway that ultimately brought him to Portugal.  

“When I found out that there is a project, there is an opportunity that matches highly qualified people to carry out their projects or their dreams somewhere else, and actually, they will help you through the process… it’s a perfect idea. And this is where I found that the HQA® is a very nice match for me,” he eagerly explains.  

HQA®: “The Whole Package” 

Emam hails from Egypt and has considerable experience in international business. Though his professional roots are in Cairo, he and his family have previously launched companies in several countries, from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates to Africa. Having worked in so many different environments, Emam was quick to spot the favourable conditions that make Portugal such an attractive location to launch a startup.        

“Portugal is a very pleasant place. The people here are very welcoming. English is widely spoken here. And as I’m telling you, it’s a place where you can really have growth potential,” Emam articulates.  

He had identified Portugal as a desirable location to expand his business interests, so Emam began exploring the different avenues that would allow him to pursue business opportunities in concert with earning residency. That quest led him to Empowered Startups’ HQA® Program, which appeared to meet all the criteria he was looking for.   

“The HQA® comes with a whole package. So, it gives flexibility in staying or not staying. It gives you help throughout the whole process from starting the project, linking you with the local municipalities, linking you with the right network, linking you with competent university individuals and staff that could help you through the process, besides the company formation, legal advice, and accounting advice. So, it was a match for everything. It checked all the boxes for me,” he reveals. 

Trust the Process 

Impressed with what his research had resulted in, Emam decided to submit his application through Empowered Startups’ website. He promptly received a response and accepted an invitation to discuss the HQA® Program in further detail.  

“From day one, actually, the experience was very, very positive. I remember when I applied for it, and we set up the first call. I was talking with someone from the headquarters in Canada, and he answered every single question. This was amazing for me. He was well prepared,” Emam recounts as he describes the initial stages of his journey in the HQA® Program. He proceeded with confidence, creating a research-based project proposal that would be developed into an innovative startup in collaboration with a Portuguese university.  

“Then the next level, when I started and signed the contract, and when the Portuguese team took me over, Filipe and his team in Portugal, it was amazing. They know everything. They understand the process quite deeply,” he attests before ensuring he speaks to the depth of the assistance provided by Empowered’s extensive operation.  

Sustainable Startup 

An integral component of the HQA® Program is the extensive network of partner universities and polytechnics across Portugal. Not only are the institutions very well regarded for their research facilities and personnel, but they offer a diversity of expertise that allows Empowered Startups to match incoming entrepreneurs with R&D programs equipped to meet the needs of their various pursuits. 

“My passion has been always in sustainable energy,” explains Emam when asked about his project. “I come from a mechanical engineering background, and all my business, my family business and my businesses even through expansions, has been in this sector. Sustainability was my personal passion, and even in my free time, I used to read a lot about it. I’m a green associate within the USGBC in the USA.” 

Intent on furthering his sustainability endeavours, Emam launched a startup and developed a project aimed at improving green practices in Portugal. He quickly found a partner university and wasted no time in getting to work. 

“The name of the project is called Conta Verde, based on a company that we established here in Portugal called Particula Prolifera. We’re working currently with the University of Algarve, and it’s mainly focused on sustainable energy projects,” he details. Since the project’s inception, Emam has been impressed with both the aptitude and attitude of the team he is collaborating with at the university.  

Opportunity Knocks 

Proof of the project’s positive evolution is exemplified by a significant adaptation that has been made along the way.    

“We found a deeper opportunity here when we came to Portugal regarding solar businesses. And going more technical, we found even further opportunities in something called virtual battery storage concepts, that we will be really working really hard with the university on those concepts mainly,” Emam explains.   

“Portugal is the fastest growing country now in this principle. Because other European countries have been doing this for the last couple of years; Germany, other countries in the European Union, where they are leading in this solar or the virtual storage concepts. And what I like about it is that the Portuguese market is still to grow in this market. Portugal has now just started this a couple of years ago, so now we’re talking about between 30% and 40% growth in the sustainable energy business. And it has been my passion. So, as I’m telling you, it was a match for everything,” he adds as a means of reinforcing why the HQA® Program provided the perfect pathway to Portugal on multiple levels.  

Growing the HQA® Community 

Emam was among a diverse group of HQA® founders who convened in late February for the “International Talent for Innovation” event in Coimbra that brought researchers, university stakeholders, and investors together to share ideas, knowledge, and opportunities. In addition to the numerous takeaways from thought-provoking discussions, the result was a collective commitment to foster further cooperative activities to support Portugal’s growing innovation sector.    

“It has been a great experience, and I would like to urge others to join us as well on this. There is an opportunity here: as the community for Empowered Startups grows in Portugal, everyone is really winning. And we will definitely benefit from this as the community grows,” he said confidently. 

Given his career background working in multiple countries, it’s hardly surprising that Emam possesses a global and collaborative mindset. His genuine fondness for this western European nation is clear as day, and he’s not shy about sharing Portugal’s potential with other entrepreneurs. 

“I would urge everyone to look at this as an opportunity to grow, start up something new, and do something you’re passionate about,” he advises. “And Portugal is one of the very few places now that has the right ecosystem for that. It’s growing in every aspect. Sustainable energy is one of the sectors, FinTech is one of the major sectors now, IT technology, and AI as well. There is huge, huge room for development and evolving here. And this is what I like about Portugal most. That you have really, really high hopes in growing.” 

With such an engaging, optimistic outlook and a track record of success, Emam seems destined to positively impact Portugal’s sustainability sector and those he connects with by virtue of his project. His energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and he has no desire to limit himself or his company to this initial foray into a new market.      

“Some people would take it in a way that it’s like as if they are ending their story through the HQA® Program. To me, it’s the start, really,” he grins.  

Learn more about the best immigration program for entrepreneurs to Portugal and the EU, the HQA® Program.