STARTUP VISA

Centro de Incubação Atlântico – Atlântico Incubation Center is a certified incubator by IAPMEI for hosting international entrepreneurs (residing outside the Schengen Area) under the Startup Visa Program, the official program of the Portuguese Government that facilitates the entry and establishment of highly qualified foreign entrepreneurs in Portugal. 

Launched under Regulatory Order no. 4/2018, this program aims to attract talent and innovation, enabling the development of entrepreneurship and/or innovation projects with a positive economic impact in the country. 

As a recognized hosting entity since 2020, Atlântico Incubation Center supports candidates who wish to launch startups with growth and internationalization potential from Portugal. 

How does the process work? 

The Startup Visa operates on a rolling basis, and the entire application process is carried out through the program’s official platform. The main steps are: 

  1. Online application, submitting project and entrepreneur(s) information; 
  2. If at least one incubator (such as the Atlântico Incubation Center) expresses interest in the project, it is evaluated by IAPMEI, which assesses:
    • The degree of innovation of the project; 
    • Its growth potential; 
    • Its scalability in the global market; 
    • The viability of long-term establishment in Portugal after the program. 
  3. Upon a favorable decision from IAPMEI, an Incubation Agreement is signed between the entrepreneur and the incubator; 
  4. An Acceptance Letter for the Startup Visa (valid for 180 days) is then issued — this document is necessary to apply for a Residence Permit with the competent authorities. 

Why Choose the Atlântico Incubation Center? 

By choosing the Atlântico Incubation Center as your hosting incubator, you gain access to a vibrant ecosystem, full support services, specialized mentoring, connections to investment networks, and an environment designed to foster innovation and business success. 

If you have an innovative idea and are looking for a gateway to Europe from Portugal, Startup Visa might be your first step. 

EMPREENDE XXI 

Since 2023, the Atlântico Incubation Center has been accredited by the IEFP – Instituto de Emprego e Formação Profissional (Portuguese Organization for Employment and Vocational Training) to support promoters and their companies under the Empreende XXI program. 

The support provided by the Atlântico Incubation Center aims to: 

  • Promote entrepreneurship, business creation, and self-employment
  • Support the creation of investment projects aligned with entrepreneurship and job creation initiatives, particularly in project structuring, risk mitigation, fundraising, and ensuring the sustainability, development, and consolidation of the projects 
  • Foster the development of entrepreneurship skills 
  • Monitor and support the consolidation of projects, especially in the initial implementation phase 

As part of its accreditation, the Atlântico Incubation Center carries out a range of initiatives, including: 

  • Development of educational materials to support the creation and development of ideas and businesses
  • Organization of bootcamps, training sessions, and seminars for entrepreneurs 
  • Economic and financial viability analysis of investment projects applying for support under the Empreende XXI program
  • Incubation services 
  • Mentoring and specialized consultancy in entrepreneurship to strengthen competencies and support the structuring and consolidation of projects 

PORTUGAL VENTURES 

In 2020, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Atlântico Business School and Portugal Capital Ventures – Venture Capital Company, aimed at establishing a partnership to promote access for seed and early-stage projects to venture capital investment. 

The Centro de Incubação Atlântico – Atlântico Incubation Center is a member of the Ignition Partners Network of Portugal Ventures, promoting the opportunities created by this entity among its incubated startups and taking on the responsibility of selecting, evaluating, and submitting applications to the various funding Calls. 

The Ignition Partners Network is a network of over 100 partners of Portugal Ventures, connecting the main players of the Portuguese entrepreneurial ecosystem. Together, we share a common goal: to promote financing mechanisms and instruments that support projects fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Portugal.