Empreende XXI

Community Ecosystem

Empreende XXI is a program that helps you create, develop and finance your new business project. If you want to develop your project, this program might be a good option for you. This is a program developed by IEFP, in partnership with Startup Portugal. Applications are now closed.

  • Any person registered with the IEFP who has an economically and financially viable business idea, over the age of 18.

  • Be enrolled in the IEFP;
  • Be over 18 years old;
  • Have the contributory status regularized before the Tax and Customs Authority and Social Security;
  • Not in default with regard to financial support granted by the IEFP;
    Have the situation regularized in terms of refunds under the European Structural and Investment Funds;
  • National citizens of European Union countries may apply, provided they meet the requirements mentioned in the previous points and have a residence registration certificate and valid identification document (identity card or passport);
  • Non-national citizens can apply, as long as they have a title that allows them to reside or stay in Portugal and that enables them to register as job candidates.

  • Present economic and financial viability, measured through the preparation of an investment financing plan and financial statements;
  • Submit a funding request to the IEFP of no more than 85% of a maximum of 200,000 euros (the project may, however, exceed this total amount);
  • Do not include, in the investment to be made, the purchase of share capital in an existing company;
  • Projects must maintain the company’s activity and ensure the creation of the respective full-time job for the promoters receiving support, except in cases where a part-time job has been approved by the IEFP, for a period of no less than two years, counted from the date of signature of the acceptance term.

  • Consult here the Regulation of the Empreende XXI Program (in Portuguese);
  • Consult here the Accompanying Entities Accreditation Manual (in Portuguese).

  • Consult here the list of accredited Accompanying Entities for the program.

Roadshow Empreende XXI

During October 2022, the Startup Portugal team did a roadshow to explain how the program works.

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If you have questions, you can find out more through empreendexxi@startupportugal.com.