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Portugal Community Fund: The Future of Startups in Portugal
With a fund of €10,000, Critical Software and the 351 Associação Portuguesa de Startups aim to support local communities and boost the startup ecosystem across the country.
The fund is designed to support events, research, and initiatives that promote innovation, diversity, and inclusion.
Critical Software and the 351 Associação Portuguesa de Startups have joined forces to launch the Portugal Community Fund, an initiative aimed at strengthening and decentralising the startup ecosystem in Portugal. The fund, with a total of €10,000 to be allocated, is available to support local communities by encouraging activities such as collaborative events, research, reports, and white papers. Each project may receive up to €250, with higher support available for initiatives with greater impact.
The primary goal of the Portugal Community Fund is to promote innovation in various regions of the country, support the development of local community leaders, and create spaces for the exchange of ideas and experiences between founders and aspiring startup founders. According to Eduardo Aires, Innovation Manager at Critical Software, “Innovation is at the heart of Critical Software, and with the launch of this fund, we aim to bring innovation to every corner of Portugal.”
Projects will be selected based on criteria that prioritise diversity and inclusion, and applications will be open to informal communities, individual entrepreneurs, incubators, schools, and non-profit associations. “The first ingredient for a strong startup ecosystem is people,” says Elisa Tarzia, Vice-President of 351 Startups. “With the Portugal Community Fund, we aim to support communities that foster connections and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
The fund will be managed by 351 Startups, allocating 50% of the total amount to initiatives in Lisbon and Porto, with the remaining 50% to be distributed to events and projects in other regions of the country. Applications are now open, and interested parties can find further information and a FAQ guide on the official Portugal Community Fund website.
The partnership between Critical Software and 351 Startups in this project is essential for the development of a more inclusive and sustainable startup ecosystem throughout the country.