Applications are now open for another edition of Explorer, a free programme funded by Santander X, with the support of UPTEC – Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto. The initiative aims to encourage young people to present business ideas that contribute to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals created by the UN by 2030.

To participate, young people must present an idea or project with entrepreneurial potential and not have a legally constituted/incorporated company associated with the project presented.

Over 12 weeks, participants will have access to digital content and challenges through which they will be able to develop their projects.  In addition, they can count on lectures on entrepreneurship with startup founders and internationally renowned figures, and an online workspace where social and collaborative learning are the main methodologies.

At the end, projects that complete the activities and have had a minimum of 96 hours of training receive a certificate of participation in the Explorer pre-incubation programme.

This edition kicks off in January 2026 and will be held 100% online in twelve countries – Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the United States, Spain, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Uruguay. Explorer takes a practical approach based on social learning dynamics, designed to enable participants to become an active part of change by implementing economically sustainable projects in different industries, sectors and types of organisations.

Registration is open until 2 December and can be done via the Santander X platform, where more information about the initiative is available.

About Santander Explorer 

Explorer is a Santander X programme that offers young people from around the world access to different initiatives promoted by international universities in a digital, open and collaborative environment. It has supported more than 10,000 young people over its ten years of existence. The University of Porto, through UPTEC, has been participating in Santander X Explorer since 2020.

19 November 2025