Remember the step that we believe would catch the community’s attention – the so-called Government policies for entrepreneurship?
SEE ALSO: The Portuguese Strategy for entrepreneurship was announced!
Now we have more details about the 15 points that are part of the list. Ready to dive straight on the full list of ‘tools’? Here we go:
1. Portugal Free Tech Zone for cutting edge industries (ex: Driverless Cars)
An initiative to transform Portugal in a pioneer country for testing the most innovative technology fields – focus on regulating and introducing changes to the current legislation in line with the guidelines of the European Commission. Portugal intends to become an open place to test the latest technologies, becoming a reference for companies.
2. Ignition and Acceleration Vouchers
In the next 4 years, the Government will distribute vouchers worth 10 million euros, for incubation and acceleration of companies. The goal is to help companies develop projects in acceleration programs or in one of the incubators that are part of the national network.
3. Matching funds with Business Angels
The purpose of this measure is to attract more private, national and international investors.
4. Matching funds with Venture Capital Funds
To reinvigorate the venture capital strategy, 400 million euros of funds will be released. The idea is to invest in new projects in partnership with national and foreign funds, so that more companies have their eyes on Portugal.
5. Momentum Programme
The idea is that new graduates who have benefited from social work scholarships for Higher Education can apply for a set of tools to facilitate the development of their business idea. This program was already tested at Startup Lisboa with successful results and feedback.
6. Equity crowdfunding and peer-to-peer promotion
In August 2015, the previous Government released a law to regulate crowdfunding, that is now responsibility of the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM). The regulatory process for equity crowdfunding and peer-to-peer financing is going to be initiated.
SEE ALSO: New law shaking Crowdfunding in Portugal (2015)
7. Startup Portugal Calls
Portugal Ventures receives a new role of action under the national strategy for entrepreneurship – now it has a more active role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and is no longer focused solely on investment, being also responsible for coordinating, implementing and monitoring several measures.
8. Startup Voucher
Vouchers that aim to support young people with college education to develop business projects. The values of these coupons are yet to be presented.
9. Portuguese Fablabs Network
Proceed with a national network of fab labs, to create synergies and promote the launch of new spaces where scientists and researchers can test equipments and develop prototypes in partnership.
10. Portuguese Incubators Network
The purpose of this network is to promote the cooperation and the sharing of resources between the country’s business incubators, as well as to support the launch of new spaces. Sectors like Agrifood, Sea, Energy, Tourism, Culture, Industry and Public Administration will be a priority.
11. Portuguese startups promotion in major global tech events
This measure intends to put Portuguese companies closer to the international press and customers through the presence of startups in world tech events.
12. Seed Programme
This Seed program aims to create a more favorable tax system with perks for those who invest in startups.
13. Simplex: fight bureaucracy between startups and Public Administration
Startup Simplex is an initiative launched to simplify the lives of citizens and businesses concerning their relation with public services. People can submit ideas for products or services that meet the program objectives between March 8 and April 20.
14. World-class Portuguese Acceleration Program
The purpose will be achieved by supporting the internationalization of Portuguese companies. To achieve that, one of the pillars will be to create a national acceleration program that supports the Portuguese projects, but also attracts foreign startups to Portugal.
15. Leverage Portuguese presence in the Web Summit
Take advantage of this “extraordinary opportunity” by attracting entrepreneurs and international investors to Portugal.