“We’re here to make it happen!”: Life at START Esposende

Situated along Portugal’s northern coast, START Esposende focuses on fostering businesses and projects that align with the region’s strengths, providing the structure and support needed to help them take root and grow. To learn more about what makes it stand out, we spoke with Joana Barbosa, Coordinator at START Esposende.

This content is available in Portuguese.

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

START Esposende was created with a clear vision: to serve as a bridge between local talent and business opportunities while fostering entrepreneurship in the municipality. Recognizing the need for a space to unite good ideas, growth-driven businesses, and a network of experts, the municipality set up a place to nurture innovation. START Esposende is multilateral, from fintech to traditional businesses seeking modernization and scaling. Our mission is simple: help ideas and companies grow, benefiting the local economy. Whether for early-stage or market traction, we’re here to make it happen!

– Do you have an area of specialization?

Although we are a multi-sector incubator, we focus particularly on strategic sectors that reflect the unique characteristics of our territory. These sectors take advantage of the best the region has to offer and align with global trends in innovation and sustainability:

Marine and Water Economy: With our rivers and seas, we have the perfect stage to explore vast resource potential, from aquaculture to sustainable seaweed use.

Industry: Strengthening ties with the industrial sector, particularly in creative and high-value tech areas, is key to driving innovation and expanding the value chain.

Agro-food 4.0: We encourage the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in agriculture, as well as emerging niches like packaging and preservation industries.

Water, Tranquility, and Nature Tourism: Esposende is a prime destination for wellness, water sports, and nature-based experiences.

These sectors reflect our identity, and more importantly, are areas where talent and ideas can thrive to make a real impact.

– What does your incubation model consist of?

The incubation model at START Esposende is divided into three phases: pre-incubation, where we help structure business ideas; incubation, for companies up to 24 months old; and development, for more mature companies, ensuring continuous growth.
We offer three modalities: physical workspaces (coworking or private offices), and virtual, for businesses that don’t need physical space.

Key services include access to a network of specialized partners and mentors.

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

Lympid, a fintech using blockchain to create investment opportunities for non-specialists, is a great example of a startup that made a significant impact at our incubator. Although they were with us for just three months, the team greatly benefited from our mentor network, receiving high-quality support that addressed their key challenges. This tailored guidance was crucial for the company’s growth and maturation, helping them move forward in their journey.

– Failure is also part of the journey. What did you learn most from something that didn’t go well?

The biggest lesson we learned was the need to establish a clear balance between what the incubator can provide and what is the entrepreneur’s responsibility. Sometimes, especially in the early stages of incubation, we may be tempted to do everything for the teams, but this ultimately hinders their growth and learning. Our role is to provide the necessary support without replacing the entrepreneur’s active role in execution and decision-making. The true value lies in the process of building and learning, and that’s what we aim to facilitate.

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

Our key differentiator is the personalized and agile support we provide, backed by a network of mentors and partners always ready to assist. Additionally, our close connection with the local business community, as the investment attraction agency and the face of economic development for the Esposende City Council, enables synergies between new startups and established companies. The informality in communication and flexibility in support are also key elements for the success of the businesses we incubate.

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

We take care of our community by fostering a collaborative and close-knit environment where startups can learn from each other, share experiences, and form partnerships. We organize regular events, workshops, and meetups to facilitate networking and joint growth. In addition, we offer continuous, straightforward support to ensure companies feel guided throughout their journey. We plan to make this community even more cohesive with additional integration and collaboration initiatives, always aiming to create new opportunities and synergies.

– What are the main challenges for incubation in your specific context (region, vertical, size, etc.)?

Limitations in access to qualified human resources can make it challenging to attract talent. Additionally, we sometimes observe a lack of preparation and commitment from some entrepreneurs, as well as a misunderstanding of the incubator’s role. These challenges require constant support and a personalized approach to ensure that startups are well-equipped to face the market and grow sustainably.

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

This year, we have two exciting initiatives you should mark on your agenda! The 2nd edition of Start Me Up – Job, Entrepreneurship, and Future Fair will be a great event for those looking to explore opportunities and expand their network in the world of entrepreneurship. Additionally, START Esposende | Digital Way, a new project focused on supporting tech businesses and startups, will foster digital innovation. Both are excellent chances to connect and grow within the local ecosystem!

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 START Esposende, 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.