Antonio Pargana Foundation and UPTEC aim to support diaspora university students in starting businesses
INTRODUCTION
The program is free and will select only 25 students from any educational institution.
The Antonio Pargana Foundation, in partnership with UPTEC – Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto, has opened applications for the latest edition of the Escola de Startups (Startup School), this time with a special focus on Portuguese-descendant students.
Launched in 2013, the Escola de Startups is a business idea acceleration program designed to prepare new entrepreneurs for the main challenges of creating and developing a business project. Thanks to the partnership with the António Pargana Foundation, this edition is presented as an immersion program in the entrepreneurial ecosystem for Portuguese-descendant students.
Over five days, students from the Portuguese diaspora at all levels of study, universities, and polytechnic institutes will have the opportunity to develop skills in ideation, validation, and communication of entrepreneurial projects.
Students do not need to have a fully developed business idea to participate—only an interest in entrepreneurship is required. Through workshops, corporate visits, talks with Portuguese-descendant entrepreneurs, and capacity-building activities, the 25 selected students will gain insight into the economic, industrial, and innovation landscape of the Northern region of Portugal, as well as a direct connection to the investment ecosystem.
The first round of applications is open until November 28 and can be submitted via the Escola de Startups website, where more information about the initiative is available. The program will be conducted in Portuguese, and participation is free of charge.
The Antonio Pargana Foundation’s mission is to promote knowledge of Portugal's history, culture, and scientific and technological capabilities, strengthening the connection between the diaspora and their descendants to Portugal while fostering cooperation opportunities between individuals and entities from those countries. Since its creation in 2007, UPTEC has supported more than 740 business projects in arts, sciences, and technologies.
