“Chart a path together”: CIBT NERBE energising entrepreneurship in Baixo Alentejo

Based in Beja, CIBT NERBE is a technology-based incubator created under the umbrella of NERBE/AEBAL — the Business Association of Baixo Alentejo and Litoral. With a strong focus on regional business development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and internationalization, NERBE/AEBAL supports companies throughout their journey, from idea to international growth. We spoke with João Coelho, Deputy Director of NERBE/AEBAL, about the mission and evolution of the incubator and its role in the local ecosystem.

This content is available in Portuguese.

– How did CIBT NERBE come about? What kinds of projects do you incubate?

NERBE/AEBAL – Associação Empresarial do Baixo Alentejo e Litoral supports companies in the district of Beja at every stage of their journey. Its strategic focus rests on regional business development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and internationalization — ensuring tailored support from the idea stage all the way to global expansion. Our facilities include a services area, an auditorium with a capacity of 255 people, and three pavilions.

In 2018, to strengthen its role in entrepreneurship, NERBE/AEBAL joined forces with CEBAL, COTR, and IPBeja to apply for Alentejo 2020 funding, with the goal of converting part of one of its pavilions into a Technology-Based Incubator. The aim was to create a direct link with the region’s R&D centers and foster stronger collaboration between research, academia, and local businesses.

CIBT NERBE was inaugurated in November 2022 by the Minister for Territorial Cohesion. Within just six months, all physical incubation spaces were fully occupied, and coworking reached an occupancy rate of around 70%. The incubator currently offers 14 physical incubation units and six coworking desks. The companies hosted are either in the startup phase or in the process of innovation.

– Do you have any areas of specialization?

CIBT NERBE focuses on the following areas: Food, Forestry and Sustainability; Water Management and Treatment; Information and Communication Technologies; Cultural and Touristic Animation; and High and Medium-High Tech activities.

These focus areas were defined in line with the region’s smart specialization strategy and the expertise of our partner institutions. With CEBAL specializing in Agricultural and Agri-Food Biotechnology, COTR in irrigation management and technology, and IPBeja bringing strengths in agriculture, environment, ICT, and tourism, it made perfect sense to bring this knowledge together and put it at the service of the region’s business fabric — charting a shared path for innovation and development.

– What does your incubation model consist of?

CIBT NERBE offers three incubation models: physical, coworking, and virtual. Physical incubation includes 14 units, while the coworking space provides six desks.

Regardless of the model chosen, all incubated companies have access to a range of logistical support services: registered address (fiscal and commercial), reception and secretarial services, 24h access with entry control, internet access, meeting/training rooms upon booking, informal work and networking areas, kitchenette, cleaning of common areas, and free parking.

We also run regular community-building activities such as monthly meetups, networking events, training sessions, seminars, and technical workshops organized by NERBE/AEBAL.

Support is tailored to each company’s stage of development:

• Startups receive help with defining their business model and plan, formalizing the business, technical information, access to funding and incentives, connections with financiers, discounted access to our business network, and legal support.
• Companies in consolidation and growth benefit from access to our partners’ R&D expertise, technology partnerships, process engineering, specialized consultancy, and support with licensing.
• Internationalizing businesses get support with market selection, funding, partnership building, identifying importers/distributors, and participation in national and international trade missions through NERBE/AEBAL projects.

– Tell us the story of a startup that made a difference in the incubator. And where has incubating with you made a difference?

As a business association, we prefer not to highlight individual cases — we believe all the companies we support deserve equal recognition.

What we can proudly share is that since the incubator opened, our physical spaces have been nearly at full capacity and coworking has remained highly occupied. Every incubated business operates within the strategic areas defined for CIBT NERBE.

– Do you want to share any news with us?

Yes. One of the most exciting updates is the approval of the second phase of the CIBT NERBE project, funded under Alentejo 2030 and the call for Technological Infrastructure and Equipment — with an investment of over 2 million euros.

The expansion will add 34 new physical incubation units, a coworking space with eight desks, a mini-auditorium, two training rooms, a meeting room, three soundproof booths, two social areas, and an interior green space. Completion is expected by February 2027.

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 CIBT NERBE, 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.