Startup Braga

Startup Braga is an initiative launched in 2015 that seeks to promote the development of the digital ecosystem of the city of Braga, Portugal. The initiative, supported by the Braga city council and several local stakeholders, has the goal of creating a thriving startup community and an attractive environment for entrepreneurs and investors. 

Through its activities, Startup Braga aims to help entrepreneurs to develop their ideas, access capital and networks, find partners and mentors, and join the international startup community. The initiative works to build a strong network of partners, including universities, incubators, accelerators, investors, service providers, and other stakeholders. Startup Braga also organizes events and activities to promote the local startup ecosystem, such as hackathons, pitch competitions, and networking events.

Startup Braga was created in 2015 by a group of entrepreneurs, investors and local institutions, who identified the great potential for the development of the technological ecosystem in the Braga district, Portugal. The goal was to foster the digital economy and create a favourable environment for the development of innovative projects and the emergence of startups in the region.

Since its founding, Startup Braga has supported and mentored hundreds of projects and startups, as well as created a strong network of investors, mentors and partners. It has been part of the development of a strong tech ecosystem in the region, with the emergence of new startups, the creation of co-working spaces, the organization of events such as the BragaTech Conference, and the launch of new initiatives such as the Ignite Program.

Startup Braga currently has a team of 6 full-time employees and several volunteers, who work to promote entrepreneurship and technology in the region. The team works to connect startups with investors, mentors, resources, and other opportunities. The organization also organizes events and activities to promote entrepreneurship and provide support to startups.

Startup Braga also works to promote the region as a destination for tech-related investment and talent. The organization actively participates in events and initiatives to promote the region and attract international investors and talent. Additionally, Startup Braga has been involved in initiatives to support female entrepreneurs, such as the Women in Tech program.

The organization also works to create a strong connection between students and the tech industry, through initiatives such as the Student Accelerator Program, which provides training and mentorship to students who are interested in creating their startups.

Recently, Startup Braga launched the Startup Braga Fund, a venture capital fund that invests in early-stage startups in the region. The fund is the first of its kind in the region and is designed to provide financial support to promising startups and help them grow and scale.

Startup Braga is a venture capital fund that invests in early-stage startups in the Braga district. The fund has specific investment criteria that it uses to evaluate potential investments. Here are the investment criteria of Startup Braga:

• Strong team: Startup Braga looks for startups with a strong and experienced team that has a clear vision for the future and the ability to execute their business plan.
• Innovative product or service: The fund seeks startups with unique and innovative products or services that solve real problems and have a clear value proposition.
• Market potential: Startup Braga considers the market potential of the startup's product or service. The market should be large enough to support the startup's growth, and there should be a clear path to profitability.
• Financial plan: The fund looks for startups with a clear and realistic financial plan. The startup should have a solid understanding of its costs and revenue streams, and a plan to achieve profitability.
• Positive impact: Startup Braga is interested in supporting startups that have a positive impact on society or the environment.

Overall, these investment criteria help Startup Braga identify promising startups with a strong team, innovative products or services, large market potential, clear financial plan, and positive impact. Startups that meet these criteria may be eligible for investment from Startup Braga's venture capital fund.

• Entrepreneurship: Startup Braga believes in the power of entrepreneurship to drive innovation, create jobs, and spur economic growth. The organization is committed to supporting and promoting entrepreneurship in the Braga district.
• Collaboration: Startup Braga recognizes that collaboration is essential for success in the startup world. The organization works to create a strong network of investors, mentors, and partners to support startups in the region.
• Innovation: Startup Braga is committed to fostering innovation and supporting startups with unique and innovative products or services. The organization encourages startups to think outside the box and take risks to achieve success.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Startup Braga values diversity and inclusion and believes that a diverse team can bring different perspectives and experiences that can drive innovation and creativity.
• Impact: Startup Braga is committed to supporting startups that have a positive impact on society or the environment. The organization believes that startups can be a force for good and drive positive change in the world.

Startup Braga's mission statement is to "foster the digital economy and create a favourable environment for the development of innovative projects and the emergence of startups in the Braga district, Portugal."

The organization's primary goal is to support entrepreneurship and technology in the region, with a focus on promoting the development of startups and the digital economy. Startup Braga aims to create a vibrant and supportive ecosystem that encourages the growth and success of startups, providing access to resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

Startup Braga is committed to creating a positive impact on society and the environment through its support of startups. By promoting innovation and collaboration, the organization strives to help startups develop unique and innovative products or services that solve real-world problems and have a positive impact on the world.

Startup Braga has a diverse portfolio of startups. The organization has worked with startups in a variety of industries, including fintech, health tech, e-commerce, and software development. Some examples of startups in Startup Braga's portfolio include:

• DefinedCrowd - A data science company that provides high-quality training data to companies looking to build machine learning models.
• Lovys - An insurance technology startup that provides on-demand insurance products through a mobile app.
• Heptasense - A video analytics startup that uses AI and computer vision to analyze and understand human behaviour in real-time.
• Prodsmart - A production management software startup that helps manufacturers improve their processes and increase productivity.
• Barkyn - An e-commerce startup that provides personalized pet food and care products through a subscription-based service.
• Wisecrop - A startup that provides IoT technology for precision agriculture, allowing farmers to optimize their production and reduce waste.
• Tonic App - A mobile app that provides a platform for healthcare professionals to connect and collaborate on patient care.

These are just a few examples of the startups in Startup Braga's portfolio. The organization has supported and mentored many more startups, providing them with the resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities they need to succeed.