“Celebrating the Present to Inspire the Future”: 20 years of TAGUSVALLEY

With a history that’s now well into its second decade, TAGUSVALLEY remains committed to supporting entrepreneurship. Pedro Saraiva, TAGUSVALLEY’s Executive Director, explained to us what sets this Science and Technology Park apart and what challenges lie ahead.

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– How did TAGUSVALLEY come about? What kind of projects do you incubate?

TAGUSVALLEY – Science and Technology Park is a project that began in 2004 in Abrantes, in the district of Santarém. The Park plays a fundamental role as a driving force behind innovation, entrepreneurship, knowledge and the economy of the Médio Tejo region, offering various services to support and satisfy the needs of the business fabric, both at regional and national level.

We currently host 67 projects, 25 of which are incubated in coworking spaces, 23 in virtual incubation, 15 in office incubation and 4 in business development support (acceleration and installation).

– Do you have an area of specialization?

We are a technology-based incubator, with a focus on the information technology, industrial processes, food and energy sectors. However, we are always open to an initial conversation for projects in a variety of sectors.

– What does your incubation model consist of?

TAGUSVALLEY’s incubation model offers startups comprehensive support, from concept development to the growth and internationalization phase. This support includes access to modern infrastructure, specialized mentoring in the areas of management, legal, communication and financing.

Our 3 + 3 Program is a structured approach to welcoming and developing projects and startups, divided into two phases of three months each. This program aims to provide continuous and progressive support to entrepreneurs, helping them to evolve from the initial phase of the idea to its realization and entry into the market.

In addition to the 3 + 3 Program, our incubation options include office incubation and coworking (in person and virtual). These modalities are designed to welcome projects and create physical conditions that are conducive to their sustainable development, regardless of the stage they are at.

We believe that our ecosystem and infrastructures offer projects and professionals a wide range of resources and opportunities to turn business ideas into concrete successes. With collaborative workspaces and the possibility of access to a network of mentors and experts, we provide the ideal environment for projects to develop and grow.

– Can you tell us the story of a startup that made a difference in the incubator? And where did incubating with you make a difference?

There are many stories, but the common thread is the professional experience the founders had that led them to want to realize their dream of having their own company, in a market they already knew or in exploring new business models they aspired to, and TAGUSVALLEY was there for them and tried to meet their needs.

CLASSE A+ is the project of two civil engineers who, in 2008, believed in the importance of energy efficiency. They now have a team of 15 senior technicians and 1 administrative manager operating at least five different businesses in the construction and real estate sector. In the beginning, it was important to help build the business model, find financing for the organization’s growth and the support of providing a space that suited their needs.

TECHFRAME is a market leader in the provision of digital intellectual property surveillance services, with more than 20 years of activity, has diversified its activity into e-games since 2018 at TAGUSVALLEY and has started a new project dedicated to the surveillance of graphic signs, to complement and reinforce its basic service, using current artificial intelligence technologies. The proximity of the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar, with its professors and students, was the trigger for the development of the project in a low-density territory.

– What is your incubator’s differentiating factor? In other words, what is it about you that is unique and enhances the success of the startups you incubate?

In addition to the general support services for the development of ideas and business models, a link to the regional industrial/institutional fabric articulated with industrial incubation capacity, particularly focused on the food sector, bioeconomy and industrial processes, TAGUSVALLEY boosts the success of the startups it incubates by providing industrial pilot resources capable of supporting startups in responding with their prototypes, pilots and first batches placed on the market, with the respective industrial licensing.

On the other hand, the technical capacity allocated to our applied research units also allows access to a vast local and national knowledge network to support the technological development of the products themselves.

Finally, because we are in an inland region, attracting and retaining qualified staff is strategic for the region and a positive differentiating factor when it comes to accessing European funding, in conjunction with the Abrantes municipal incentive system to support the creation of jobs in the Science and Technology Park.

– What kind of projects or startups are you looking for now?

We always have room for projects and startups that are developing innovative solutions in the areas of agri-food, renewable energy, environmental sustainability and IT.
We are especially interested in companies that are in the prototyping or initial expansion phase, with the potential for scalability and significant impact on the market.

– Community is one of the factors that distinguishes an incubator from an office center. How do you take care of yours and what plans do you have to make it more cohesive and fertile?

TAGUSVALLEY regularly organizes networking events, workshops and mentoring sessions to foster collaboration between community members. One of the bets we currently have on the table, with the closure of the Pego coal-fired power plant, is the technological free zone dedicated to renewable energies articulated with a program of activities dedicated to the digital transition and sustainability, will surely be the seed to attract and involve a greater number of partners to enrich the experience and complement the range of solutions for those who are with us.

– What are the main challenges for incubation in your specific context?

Some of the main challenges include the need to attract more investment to the region, retain qualified talent and promote innovation in emerging sectors, such as renewable energies alongside industry 4.0, the bioeconomy and the food sector, strengthening the operational component of industrial incubation. Another challenge is to increase the visibility of startups at national and international level, to ensure that they can scale and grow beyond the region.

– Do you want to share any news with us? Any events or initiatives that we should all keep in our agendas?

In December 2024, TAGUSVALLEY will celebrate 20 years of supporting entrepreneurship and encouraging innovation. Everyone is very welcome in Abrantes at the beginning of December for a program of activities that will celebrate the present to inspire the future.

ABOUT #INCUBXDISCOVERIES

#IncubXdiscoveries is Startup Portugal’s monthly feature that will help you discover Portuguese incubators. What projects they incubate, how they manage their community and what success stories they’ve had and future projects are some of the topics covered in these interviews.

If you’d like to find out more about TAGUSVALLEY, either because you’d like to see your project incubated in this region or because you’d like to establish a partnership, contact the Startup Portugal team at incubadoras@startupportugal.com.