RNI – Portugal Incubators
RNI - Portugal Incubators is a community that brings together all incubators operating in Portugal
RNI – Portugal Incubators brings closer all Portuguese incubators and improves their value proposition by fostering collaboration and developing initiatives that help them build enduring startup programs. By being part of this network, incubators will work together to build a close-knit community of incubation in Portugal.
Join the community and have access to:
- Exclusive events and initiatives developed for Portuguese incubators.
- Privileged information on the evolution of incubation in Portugal.
- Unique partnership opportunities with other incubators.
- Eligibility to apply to programs to which RNI – Portugal Incubators membership is mandatory (e.g. IAPMEI’s Startup Visa Program).
- You will have an active voice on building the future of incubation in Portugal.
- Also, valuable perks for your incubated startups.
How the membership works
Membership is annual.
This means that all members of RNI – Portugal Incubators need to renew their membership once per year.
Applications to be part of RNI – Portugal Incubators or to renew membership can be made at any time of the year.
Disclaimers:
- New memberships or renewals resulting from applications made until December 31, 2023 are valid for a period of 6 months.
- If you want to apply or renovate the IAPMEI’s Startup Visa Program certification in 2023 you must apply to RNI – Portugal Incubators until November 5, 2023. Startup Portugal will review your application within a period of 15 days.
RNI - Portugal Incubators and Ecosystem Boosters Network
RNI – Portugal Incubators works together with the Ecosystem Boosters Network to boost the Portuguese entrepreneurial landscape and bring support to several players in the ecosystem who dedicate their activity to help startups creation and growth.
The Ecosystem Boosters Network includes entities that provide incubation services but don’t fulfill the requirements to join RNI – Portugal Incubators.
Thus, if you don’t meet all the criteria to be part of RNI – Portugal Incubators, apply to the Ecosystem Boosters Network and gain access to an exclusive community (more information about the application process will be available in early 2024).
Membership Perks
RNI – Portugal Incubators is negotiating with a variety of companies to bring valuable benefits to members and their incubated startups.
If you have something to offer to the Portuguese incubator’s community, please send us an email to rni@startupportugal.com and let us know why we should partner up.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Existing entities that offer incubation services in the areas of entrepreneurship and innovation, with Portuguese VAT number.
All entities must meet a list of criteria to be part of RNI – Portugal Incubators. Find the full criteria here.
You can find the questions in the application form in this document.
The membership process is carried out throughout the year by Startup Portugal.
After submitting the application, Startup Portugal will assess whether the entity meets all criteria and communicate the result.
Communication of results will be carried out during a period of 60 days after submission of the application to the application email. Exception: New memberships or renewals resulting from applications made until November 5, 2023 will be reviewed within 15 days (this is valid for incubators wanting to apply for IAPMEI’s Startup Visa Program in 2023).
If any application item is not properly explained in the application, Startup Portugal may call or meet with the entity to clarify the item and/or request more detailed information.
All incubators certified by Startup Portugal must go through a renewal process within 12 months of their last certification.
Exception: New memberships or renewals resulting from applications made until December 31, 2023 are valid for a period of 6 months.
If you applied to be part of RNI – Portugal Incubators and your application wasn’t successful, you will automatically be added to the Ecosystem Boosters Network.
Also, if you do not meet all the criteria to be part of RNI – Portugal Incubators, you can apply directly to the Ecosystem Boosters Network (more information about the application process will be available in early 2024).
The Ecosystem Boosters Network, managed by Startup Portugal, is a community of diverse entities that play a crucial role on the Portuguese entrepreneurial ecosystem.
All entities that desire to be an incubator but don’t meet the requirements to join RNI – Portugal Incubators can also be a member of this community.
Yes, if you want to continue being part of the network. Certification by RNI – Portugal Incubators is now annual, so you will have to renew yours.
For the purpose of eligibility for certification under the IAPMEI Startup Visa Program in 2023 it is mandatory to be a certified incubator by RNI – Portugal Incubators, so you will have to make a new or renew the application by November 5, 2023.
Even if you do not intend to apply to the IAPMEI Startup Visa Program in 2023, you must make a new/renewed application to RNI – Portugal Incubadoras to be a member of the network and beneficiary of its programs and initiatives. The application can be made at any time.
Any questions?
Send your questions to rni@startupportugal.com.