Research and accumulation of knowledge are key factors for being a developed country. This includes the passing on of gathered knowledge from academic institutions to the business sector.
“We believe that there can be no development without knowledge, without research, if we don’t invest in our higher education institutions, our knowledge centers and interface entities. We will never be a developed country if our brand is not to be competitive, with technology-based companies and knowledge-based activity,” she stressed.
Ana Abrunhosa was present at the signing ceremony of the partnership agreement between the University of Coimbra (UC) and the company Empowered Startups, for cooperation in attracting international investors in research and development, innovation and technology transfer activities.
In her speech, the Minister for Territorial Cohesion stressed the importance of this type of partnership, which means that companies are born global. In her opinion, higher education institutions play an essential role as trainers of the new generations and “catalysts for more and better knowledge”, but above all they are “responsible for transferring this knowledge outside the walls of the Academy”, allowing it to reach society and be applied in companies.
“And this isn’t just true for cutting-edge sectors, it’s true for all sectors: it’s true for traditional sectors, for agriculture, for forestry, for all industries, for services. This is a truth that cuts across all sectors of activity,” he said.
The director of partnerships and projects in Portugal at Empowered Startups, Francesco Berrettini, also highlighted the role of these partnerships for the entrepreneurs they work with, leaving a commitment to help attract investment and qualified people, so that “new companies with global potential” can be born.
The rector of the University of Coimbra, Amílcar Falcão, pointed out that the agreement signed with Empowered Startups meets one of the missions of the University of Coimbra, which involves “transferring knowledge to society”. “We are a leading university, with a high number of patents and many projects capable of creating value. And I believe that this partnership can bear very positive fruit for all parties,” he added.
Amílcar Falcão was also concerned about the emigration rate of young Portuguese graduates, who “are very well accepted abroad”. “First we have to make sure they don’t leave and then make sure they come back. This is achieved with these partnerships,” he concluded.
Founded in 2009 in Vancouver, Canada, Empowered Startups’ mission is to connect the work of universities with the business world, helping researchers and entrepreneurs to commercialize innovation. Since its foundation, it has supported more than 2,600 entrepreneurs and contributed to the creation of more than 450 startups on several continents.
In Portugal since 2019, the company’s aim is to attract highly qualified professionals to the country, with experience in entrepreneurship and the ability to lead businesses and invest in scientific research projects. In February 2023, the company handed the government a Letter of Commitment in which it promised to attract ten million euros and 150 entrepreneurs to Portugal by 2025.