Pro - Global
Acceleration Program for Internationalization

Challenge

One of the European Union's key medium/long-term objectives is to create the conditions to position the European economy as the most competitive in the world. In this sense, and in the particular case of Portugal, there is still a long way to go as the trade balance performance and also the intensity of exports lag behind the most competitive economies. The country therefore faces the challenge of increasing its exports, both by broadening its export base (number of companies exporting) and by diversifying its markets (entering new ones).

At the same time, one of the biggest challenges start-ups faces is the difficulty of accessing new markets, particularly due to the limited financial resources for internationalization and the lack of networking and knowledge regarding specificities of international markets. Through this project, we aim to address some of these challenges.

Solution

Pro-Global - Acceleration Program for Internationalization is promoted by Instituto Pedro Nunes (IPN) as part of the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).

Internationalization is a strategic and crucial step for the growth and development of technology-based companies and for the national economy. As part of its mission to promote innovation and qualified entrepreneurship, IPN has designed an acceleration program with the aim of enabling technology-based and innovative start-ups to go international, thus contributing to an increase in their export capacity and, consequently, improving the competitiveness of the national economy.

Objectives, Activities and Results expected / achieved

Pro-Global program aims to accelerate the internationalization of technology-based and innovative companies, namely by supporting their internationalization strategy, broadening their networking and identifying business opportunities in foreign markets.

General objectives of the program:
• Increase the capacity of start-ups for internationalization
• Raise entrepreneurs' awareness of the importance of planning the internationalization process.
• Contribute to increase the export intensity and market diversification

Program activities *:
• Virtual missions (3 per company);
• Coaching/Mentoring (10h per company);
• Tools to support internationalization;
• Workshops / Webinars (5 events, 1 on-site);
• Networking.
* Whenever possible, the number of activities per company can be higher than the values indicated above.

The program will work by carrying out initiatives to support internationalization, namely face-to-face and online sessions addressing topics related to internationalization, from preparation and planning, analysis and selection of markets, drawing up a plan for internationalization and carrying out virtual and on-site missions.

Expected results:
• Number of participating start-ups: 20;
• Number of participating entrepreneurs: 40 to 50.

Pro-Global program will be composed by 2 editions and aims to have the participation of at least 10 start-ups in each edition.

At the end of the acceleration program, the start-ups should have developed/strengthened the following skills:
• Ability to carry out an internal analysis of the company, identifying its strengths and weaknesses, as well as the main threats and opportunities;
• Be able to identify the most attractive markets for the company;
• Define an action plan for internationalization;
• Establish exploratory contacts with entities in the destination market(s).

Please consult the Program and Rules of Participation HERE.
If you have interest in the program, apply HERE.