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Innovation

Porto is a remarkable place for innovation.

In Porto you can find world-class scientific and academic institutions, high levels of investment in research and development (R&D), generous R&D tax incentives for businesses, a modern telecommunication infrastructure and access to the best talent and R&D infrastructure.

Increase in R&D Investment

R&D investment of Porto Metropolitan Area as a percentage of regional GDP increased from 0.84% in 2003 to 2.08% of regional GDP in 2017.

Porto can now provide a new generation of scientists and engineers, from new doctorates to other researchers.

Portugal was the 9th International Innovation Champion in the world in 2018 according to CTA – Consumer Technology Association.

Innovative companies - excellent performance in terms of in-house innovation capacity and development of product/process or marketing/organizational innovations.

Portugal ranked 32nd in the world in Global Innovation Index 2018.

Portuguese scientists are among the best in a wide range of areas - engineering, materials sciences, medical sciences, physics, aerospace sciences - developing cutting-edge research and regularly publish their findings in many of the world’s most cited publications.

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Prestigious R&D and Technology Institutions

The quality of Portuguese scientific research institutions is among the best in the world – 22nd in the Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018.

Porto is home to some first-class research institutions that bring together universities and industries.

Fraunhofer Institute - the largest organization for applied research in Europe - has chosen Porto to open its first subsidiary outside Germany.

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International R&D Partnerships

Partnerships for the Future Programme brings together Portuguese entities and international institutions of excellence - Carnegie Mellon University, Harvard Medical School, University of Texas in Austin and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

Innovation. Did you know that...

a world-class research institute in health sciences is emerging in Porto?

I3S consortium, headed by the University of Porto, brings together four research institutions, researchers from several schools and three hospitals.

With more than 1300 workers, of which over 600 are researchers, I3S provides a vibrant environment for new scientific discoveries and translation into improvements in healthcare.

I3S focuses its activity on developing solutions to some of the greatest health challenges - cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, infectious diseases and regenerative medicine. It has a vast network of international partnerships with world-leading entities in its field of activity. It also provides consulting services in several countries.
Porto is home to a company that invests 20% of its turnover in R&D?

BIAL, a Portuguese pharmaceutical group, invests 20% of its turnover in research on innovative pharmaceuticals.

BIAL products are present in more than 50 countries spread over four continents - Europe, America, Africa and Asia.
the first GPS in the world with aerial photography was created in Porto?

Ndrive, a company from Porto, introduced the first GPS in the world with aerial photography.

Nowadays, the company is a business accelerator for Telcos, OEM and manufacturers with sales in over 50 countries.
A company in Porto provides cutting-edge technology to the European Space Agency’s lab and also in the area of electric vehicles?

EFACEC is the largest Portuguese solution provider for the electrical and electromechanical industries developing technologically advanced solutions in energy, mobility, engineering and environment.

Present in various countries around the world, it has developed and manufactured the first electronic instrument recognized by the European Space Agency and by NASA.

EuTEMP is an automatic register of temperatures in space and began flying in the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

EFACEC is also one of the leading electric vehicle equipment manufacturers and was one of the first companies in the world to provide quick chargers for electric vehicles.
Porto has the largest network of buses with Wi-Fi in the world?

Built by the tech startup called Veniam, a spin-off from the University of Porto, Porto has the largest and the most sophisticated vehicle-based network in the world. More than 600 buses and taxis are equipped with routers that serve as mobile Wi-Fi hotspots.

The network has already caught the interest of cities like San Francisco, in the USA, and Barcelona, in Spain.
in Porto we are at the forefront of the waves?

The OceanScan - Marine Systems and Technology company is one of the main suppliers of robotic submarines in Europe and an excellent example of Porto’s best know-how in the sea research field.
the future aircraft interiors are being developed in Porto?

The Life (Lighter, Friendly and Eco-efficient Aircraft Cabin) project is developing innovative solutions for aircraft interiors combining eco-efficient, lightweight and comfort with an integrated and innovative design.

The project is being developed with the involvement of suppliers in the aviation and transport industries, design companies and R&D institutions.

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