It encourages entrepreneurship in Portuguese higher education at national level, it is reaching its 20th edition and counts with 100 industrial property registrations and continues with 1,700 projects under its belt. Coordinating Council of Higher Polytechnic Institutes (CCISP) praises the initiative.
The largest national network to encourage entrepreneurship in polytechnic higher education in Portugal is designated Polyempreende and contributed over the last two decades (since 2003) to the presentation of approximately 1,700 projects, to the creation of around 100 companies and 100 industrial property registrations.
Involving more than 1,200 students, the 20th edition of the initiative, already underway, is coordinated University of Madeira (ONE) and began with the passage of testimony from the Polytechnic of Cávado and Ave (IPCA) for UMA.
Stimulate entrepreneurship, enhancing professional outlets; promote the changing attitudes of academic actors participants, as well as the creation of new innovative companies and regional implementation, with potential for growth; It is encourage innovation and patent registration are some of the primary objectives of the Polyempreende.
Consisting of all the country’s polytechnic institutions, non-integrated higher education schools (Nursing in Coimbra, Porto and Lisbon, Hotel and Tourism in Estoril and Escola Náutica Infante D. Henrique) and polytechnic schools of the universities of Aveiro, Algarve and MadeiraO Polyempreende is aimed at students, graduates or teachers from the aforementioned institutions, or other people, as long as they are part of teams made up of students and/or graduates.
How it works
The process begins with the registration of business ideas on a platform created for this purpose, following a training phase with workshops E and E2through which promoters acquire skills to develop their business plans.
You projects will later be evaluated by a Regional Jury and the winners will represent their institution in the national competitionscheduled for early September.
To the regional level, the prize value can go up to €2,000 euroswhile the winner of the national competition can win up to €20,000 euros.
It should be noted that from 2023, the 1st place in the National Competition came to be called Comendador Rui Nabeiro Awardin honor of one of the great drivers of entrepreneurship and this initiative in particular.
O winner of the first Comendador Rui Nabeiro Award was the project Pit O’Grampresented by student Francisco Henriques (Polytechnic of Viseu), which consists of a program and communication devices for use in car inspection centers, seeking to facilitate communication between inspector and client, when it is necessary to evaluate the underside of the car.
The resource allows you to overcome the difficulties of oral communication, replaced by animated pictograms on a monitor, requiring only keyboard button input.
In 2013, the Polyempreende was recognized internationally, receiving the European Business Promotion Awardin the category of Investment in Entrepreneurial Skillsconsidering the unique methodology developed.
“By providing students with the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills, Poliempreende is enabling them to think differently about their future and take control of their professional paths. It’s not just about winning awards or starting a business – it’s about gaining confidence, learning new skills and connecting with a network of like-minded people”, highlights Maria José Fernandes, president of the Coordinating Council of Higher Polytechnic Institutes (CCISP), which highlights that students who participate in the program “can gain a deeper understanding of the entrepreneurial process and learn to take risks, think creatively, and develop innovative solutions to problems”.
About CCISP:
The Coordinating Council of Higher Polytechnic Institutes is a collegiate body, with the responsibility of joint representation of public polytechnic higher education establishments. One of its main responsibilities is issuing opinions on matters that concern matters related to the sector. It is, therefore, a consultation entity of the ministry responsible for higher education, and is also called upon to take a position with from other bodies, such as the Education and Science Commission of the Assembly of the Republic, and to participate in project preparatory meetings with public and private partners.
