Created in 2002 on the initiative of the Pedro Nunes Institute (IPN) and the University of Coimbra, IPN-Incubadora — Association for the Development of Idea and Business Incubation Activities, is a private, non-profit institution.
At the IPN business incubator, companies in their early years benefit from conditions that facilitate access to the scientific and technological system and an environment that provides knowledge in areas such as quality, management, marketing and contact with national and international markets. The Incubator provides support during the early stages of innovative and/or technology-based business projects and advanced services. Priority projects are spin-offs from the University of Coimbra and start-ups that ensure a strong connection to the university environment, whether through students, teachers or research projects in laboratories, as well as projects from the private sector and R&D in consortium with industry.
The Physical Incubation Programme, as the name suggests, involves the company setting up its operations on the Incubator’s premises. Under this programme, the company is allocated one or more incubation units in which to carry out its activities. These spaces are fully furnished, and the company has access to a range of basic shared services, which are included in the price: reception, security, cleaning, and access to two telephone lines, amongst others.
The Incubator currently offers a range of incubation spaces/modules, with floor areas of 20, 28, 33, 40, 56 and 66 m², fully equipped with lighting, data networks, telephone connections, etc. The 33 and 66 m² modules also have water connections. The current time limit for a company’s physical incubation is four years. In special cases, duly justified and assessed by the Incubator’s management, this period may be slightly extended.
Os módulos “Space Incubator” correspondem aos mais recentes espaços de incubação onde são admitidas, prioritariamente, startups participantes ou alumni do programa ESA BIC Portugal e outras em que as tecnologias de origem espacial são relevantes.
The price charged is based on the floor space occupied by the company and increases year on year, in line with the company’s expected growth. The current monthly rates, to which VAT is added, are:
| Startup e Spinoff de ESCTN** | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Spaces | 1º ano | 2º ano | 3º e 4º ano |
| 20/28 m2 | 10€/m2 | 12€/m2 | 14€/m2 |
| 33/40/56/66 m2 | 9,50€/m2 | 11,50€/m2 | 13,50€/m2 |
| 33/45/80 m2 | 11€/m2 | 13€/m2 | 15€/m2 |
The Virtual Incubation Programme offers a range of services and facilities similar to those of the Physical Incubation Programme, with the exception of those relating to the exclusive use of incubation modules or spaces. All projects approved at the pre-application stage are automatically approved for the Virtual Incubation Programme and may begin to make use of the services and facilities provided even whilst preparing their application for the Physical Incubation Programme. There are two types of virtual incubation: Start and Follow-up:
The ‘Start’ programme of the virtual incubation scheme is aimed at entrepreneurs who have recently launched their project or business and do not yet require a physical space. The company may not even have been formally incorporated yet. The Virtual Incubation Start contract has an initial duration of three months and may be renewed for further periods of the same length, if justified.
Graduated companies – that is, successful projects that have completed the Physical Incubation or Virtual Start phase (those that did not require physical space and used only the Virtual Incubation programme) and wish to continue using the Incubator’s services – may sign a new Virtual Incubation contract, in this case with ‘Follow-up’ status. This contract has a duration of 3 months and is automatically renewable for equal periods.
A co-working space for companies participating in the Start Virtual Incubation programme that require a physical workspace, even if shared with other projects. The space includes furniture for two workstations, a printer, internet access and 24-hour access to the facilities, in a room with capacity for six to eight projects.
| Technical guidance during the company’s formation and start-up phase |
| Tutorial support for drawing up the company’s business plan |
| Intellectual property and legal advice (e.g. technology transfer agreements, patent registration, trademarks) |
| Provision of physical space for installation (20, 28, 33, 40, 56 or 66 m²) |
| Logistics services: meeting rooms, post office, telephone, fax, internet, photocopying |
| Links and contacts with various national and international research centres, other sources of knowledge, funding bodies, etc. |
| Exclusive access to sources of knowledge and learning from the University of Coimbra |
| Access to a pool of consultants specialising in various fields (Management, Investment, Marketing, Tax, Health, Safety and Environment, Strategy, Technology, Quality, and others) on favourable terms |
| Accounting and tax planning services |
| Applications for incentive schemes for investment, R&D, innovation, employment, and other areas |
| Access to regular training courses on technological and management-related topics |
| Support with investment fundraising and securing financing |
API para integrar o SI no site
API para integrar o SI no site
As Incubadoras “Powered by IPN” são estruturas de apoio ao empreendedorismo, de base local ou institucional que resultam de parcerias estreitas entre o IPN e autarquias locais e outras instituições e que, tendo gestão partilhada, seguem o modelo de gestão e atuação das atividades de incubação da IPN Incubadora, reconhecido nacional e internacionalmente há mais de 25 anos, funcionando sob a sua coordenação, de forma articulada e sinergética, com o objetivo de maximizar a eficiência de recursos e a eficácia da sua ação. Os primeiros dois exemplos de “Incubadoras by IPN” são o HIESE – Habitat de Inovação Empresarial nos Setores Estratégicos, no Município de Penela, localizado a menos de 30 km do IPN e o INOPOL – Academia de Empreendedorismo do Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, localizado a menos de 10 km.
O HIESE – Habitat de Inovação Empresarial nos Sectores Estratégicos é um espaço de inovação que iniciou atividade em 2016. O modelo de funcionamento resulta de uma parceria entre a IPN Incubadora e o Município de Penela, devidamente protocolada. A gestão e o modelo de incubação são da responsabilidade da IPN Incubadora, sendo a infraestrutura propriedade do Município de Penela.
Mais informações em www.smartrural.pt
O INOPOL Academia de Empreendedorismo é uma unidade funcional do Politécnico de Coimbra que tem como missão promover uma cultura de inovação e empreendedorismo e potenciar a criação e crescimento de novas empresas startup e spinoff de base científica e cariz inovador.
Mais informações em www.ipc.pt/ipc/id-e-inovação/inopol
A Unidade de Incubação e Tecnologias da Saúde, uma colaboração entre os Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra e o IPN, é uma incubadora dedicada a apoiar startups na área da saúde, proporcionando um ambiente dinâmico para o desenvolvimento de soluções tecnológicas inovadoras. Localizada nos Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, esta incubadora em ambiente hospitalar proporciona espaços de trabalho temporários, mentoria de profissionais de saúde, acesso à infraestrutura hospitalar, avaliação com feedback clínico, colaboração multidisciplinar e a adaptação das soluções às necessidades reais dos hospitais e pacientes, promovendo a criação de produtos e serviços ajustados às exigências do setor.
