The Polytechnic Institute of Guarda and World Talents sign a partnership to attract international investment and promote research projects.

World Talents, a platform that connects entrepreneurs and global companies with local universities and startup ecosystems, has announced a partnership with the Polytechnic Institute of Guarda (IPG). The goal is to attract international investment and expand research and innovation opportunities through the Global Talent Portugal program, which acts as the bridge between entrepreneurs, investors, and the startup and university ecosystems in Portugal.

Global Talent Portugal gives universities access to new funding opportunities and resources to strengthen research and development projects, while expanding their international network. In turn, entrepreneurs and businesses establish their activities in the country, contributing directly to local ecosystems through investment, R&D projects, and knowledge transfer, World Talents explains in a statement.

Through the Global Talent Portugal program, World Talents has attracted around 80 entrepreneurs and companies to the country, with a total investment of approximately 2.8 million euros.

“World Talents believes that innovation and the growth of Portugal's startup ecosystem also depend on attracting international entrepreneurs. Through our mentorship program and support for the development of proprietary technologies, these entrepreneurs can make a difference in the growth of the Polytechnic of Guarda, at a time when this Institution's mission is to advance its doctoral programs and differentiating degrees,” says Bernardo Saraiva, co-founder and director of World Talents.

“IPGuarda has established and promoted new investment opportunities that allow our professors and researchers to grow in the areas of entrepreneurship, technological innovation, and the dissemination of our knowledge to external players who bring added value. The partnership with World Talents represents and reinforces this commitment, and we believe it can make a difference in our action plan,” says Joaquim Brigas, president of the Polytechnic Institute of Guarda (IPG).

In the field of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Polytechnic of Guarda offers eleven Research Laboratories, including Robotics, Information Systems, Chemistry and Materials, and Prototyping, among others, alongside Polytechnic To Business (P2B) — a diverse series of programs and initiatives that contribute to a close and cohesive relationship between the institution and the business community. P2B includes Poliempreende, a business idea competition, and Policasulos, a business project incubator.

The partnership with the Polytechnic Institute of Guarda follows World Talents' recent expansion into the northern region, also aiming to directly strengthen the university and regional innovation network.