Porto, May 14, (Lusa) – Secretary of State for the Economy João Rui Ferreira announced on Thursday the launch of Tech Foundry Portugal - Deep Tech Edition, a national acceleration programme designed to support the transition from laboratory to market. 

Portugal is "launching its largest acceleration programme" exclusively for Deep Tech (cutting-edge science or engineering that solves complex global challenges), he said during the opening of the SIM Conference at Alfândega do Porto. The event features more than 350 startups, 72 investors, and 40 speakers.

With this programme, "we are creating a bridge" between laboratories and technological teams, he said.

The programme, developed by Startup Portugal in partnership with Hello Tomorrow, consists of "four months of intensive acceleration" and provides access to a global network of deep tech investors and specialists.

Participation is free, and the application process begins in June.

Porto Mayor Pedro Duarte highlighted the importance of hosting the SIM Conference in the city.

"This conference means a lot to us," he said, noting that Porto is assuming a "relevant" role as a technological hub.

The city "is a player" in this ecosystem and remains ready to take on "an important role" in this field, he said.

Porto will host face-to-face sessions of Tech Foundry Portugal, a programme that reinforces the city's position as one of Europe's leading hubs for technological entrepreneurship and innovation, he said.

The programme, developed by Startup Portugal in partnership with Hello Tomorrow, Europe's largest deep-tech community, consists of four months of intensive acceleration between September and December. Participants gain access to a global network of investors and deep-tech specialists. 

Tech Foundry Portugal will select up to 40 national teams in the early stages of formation, with technology demonstrated in a laboratory or other relevant environment.

The Deep Tech Edition targets teams and startups with headquarters or R&D activity in Portugal seeking to industrialise and validate their technology in the market. 

Priority sectors include biotech & healthtech, advanced materials & nanotech, ocean & marine tech, climate & clean tech, advanced computing & technologies, space & aeronautics, robotics & autonomous systems, dual-use technology, and GovTech. 

"Portugal has internationally recognised quality scientific research, but what is missing is the bridge between the laboratory and the market," said Miguel Aguiar, executive director of Startup Portugal. "This is exactly what Tech Foundry Portugal builds: four months of intensive acceleration, access to a global network of specialised deep-tech investors, and a direct link to Banco Português de Fomento (BPF)  funding instrument. 

It is a complete journey, not just another programme." 

Teams selected for funding under IFIC Deep Tech, a line launched by the BPF with investment of up to €750,000 in capital or quasi-capital, have direct access to the Tech Foundry acceleration programme. 

This co-investment scheme with private partners integrates capital and acceleration into a single pathway. 

The Deeptech & Tech Foundry Ecosystem Line of the Financial Instrument for Innovation and Competitiveness (IFIC) aims to support science- and technology-based startups in developing and validating deep-tech innovations.

These innovations stand out for their transformative potential, rooted in frontier science, technology, and engineering.

The announcement occurred during the third edition of the SIM Conference, an event organised by Startup Portugal, which concludes Friday, 15 May. 

ALU/RYOL // ADB.

Lusa