UPTEC – Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto has just opened applications for the thirteenth edition of the School of Startups. Created in 2013, the School of Startups is a business idea acceleration programme that aims to prepare new entrepreneurs for the main challenges in creating and developing a business project.

Over three months and more than 90 hours of training, participants will acquire the skills to validate and develop business ideas in various fields, including the arts, sciences, technologies, health, and the environment, among others. Future entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to participate in practical workshops covering market analysis, differentiation, marketing, pricing strategy, intellectual property, investment preparation and pitch training.

Additionally, the 25 projects selected for the 2025 edition will have access to UPTEC’s workspaces, an extensive network of events featuring more than 100 annual initiatives, and a community of investors, industrial partners, and entrepreneurs.

Applications are open until 21 September and can be made through the School of Startups website, where more information about the initiative is available. Until this date, participation will cost €425 + VAT. With the support of the Santander Portugal Foundation, UPTEC will award six inclusion grants for free access to the Startup School to women entrepreneurs and people of African descent, groups that are underrepresented in entrepreneurship. UPTEC will also award two grants to projects in the creative and cultural field.

With 12 editions under its belt, the Startups School has already supported more than 200 projects and 500 participants, driving the creation of more than 70 companies with an investment that currently exceeds €65 million. Among the alumni of the acceleration programme are startups such as Addvolt, recently acquired by the American group Carrier, Smartex, Wisecrop and Tatara Razors.