Startup Braga is an innovation hub designed to assist the inception and development of high potential entrepreneurial projects for international markets. In partnership with Microsoft Ventures we provide business acceleration programs for startups with global ambitions.

2. 4400 m2
campus

3. Startup Braga is
an innovation hub
designed to assist
the inception and
development of
high potential
entrepreneurial
projects for
international
markets.
In partnership with Microsoft Ventures
we provide business acceleration
programs for startups with global
ambitions.

4. PRE-ACCELERATION PROGRAM
The main goal is to identify innovative technologies and business ideas resulting from academia and
research processes.
This program aims to make a firsthand assessment of high potential projects, and help build
multidisciplinary working teams capable of identifying and validating business ideas.
The ultimate goal is to create solid startups that can start their business activities.
Mentors and specialists will visit universities and R&D centers to spot the potential technologies.
Scanning
A team of entrepreneurs, investors and
market specialists go to the University and
in an unfiltered way and with free access
to technologies and research being done by
researchers and students.
Selection
The Scanning team selects the market
relevant projects and invites the top ones to
integrate the Pre-Acceleration Program.
Pre-Aceeleration
The selected teams will work with specialists
and mentors in multidisciplinary teams to
validate the idea and assess the market
viability of their idea.
Start Me Up
At the end of the program the teams will be
assessed and there will be a public session
with investors, entrepreneurs that might
support the creation of the startup.

5. ACCELERATION PROGRAM
In partnership with Microsoft Ventures this program is designed to help startups build, execute and
validate their business model, access international markets and get funding.
During the program, startups are expected to iterate rapidly but at their own pace, according to
its maturity and need while receiving intensive mentoring, training and guidance by specialist in
technical and business aspects.
Week 13 > 15
Pitch
The last two weeks, will
be spent on preparing
the pitch and all
the documentation
necessary for potential
partners and investors.
Week 1 > 3
Define
In the first 4 weeks, the
teams will have access to
workshops on Business
Model Canvas and
Lean Startup. Using the
knowledge and the tools,
the teams will then focus
on validating the problem
and the solution.
Week 4 > 12
Build
In the second phase of the
program, the teams will be
focused on building, testing
and validating the minimum
viable product and
collecting and incorporating
the feedback of potential
clients.

6. INCUBATION PROGRAM
Our incubation program, offers support for innovative and technological startups with international
ambitions. working in various sectors.
We want to attract to Startup Braga the most promising startups and entrepreneus.
The applications will be assessed by an international panel and only the best will be accepted.
Startups younger than 36 months can apply to the program and have access to: workspace, value
added resources and services provided by a network of corporate partners, and a network of national
and internation mentors and specialist in various fields.
Microsoft BizSpark
The partnership with Microsoft Ventures allows all eligible Startups to have immediate access to the
Microsoft BizSpark program, guaranteeing three years of access to a global community of advisors,
investors and partners, as well as Microsoft software and services.
Startups can also take advantage of all Microsoft Ventures Accelerators and partners’ locations,
connecting them instantly with international markets and investment opportunities in various
countries;

7. PARTNERS
To help Startups in their
initial stages increase
their chances of success,
we offer a range of
services, delivered within
the acceleration and
incubation programs.

8. MENTOR
DRIVEN
PROGRAMS
We provide startups with mentor driven acceleration programs that also include access
to technology, training and specialists.
Mentors: Typically serial/veteran entrepreneurs that have gone through the startup
cycle (inception to exit) or investors;
Specialists: A broad list of experienced people from within the industry that can provide
startup founders guidance in technical and business aspects.
Mentors are one of the most important pieces in the success of an acceleration
program.
Program mentors act like an active advisory board to the startups,
advising founders on the business, as well as leveraging their
business network for the benefit of the startup they advise.
Mentors commit to work with the selected teams
on a regular basis during the length of the
programs.

9. TOP INTERNATIONAL
Mentors
Andy McCartney
CEO in Residence,
Microsoft Ventures UK
London, United Kingdom
Francisco van Zeller
Head of Digital Marketing,
Samsung Electronics Europe
London, United Kingdom
Gastão Taveira
Chairman Altitude
Software
Lisbon, Portugal
Rui Paiva
Chief Executive Officer
Lisbon, Portugal
Celso Martinho
Founder of sapo.pt
Portugal
Franklin M. Luzes Junior
Microsoft Ventures Director
São Paulo, Brasil
Luís Moura e Silva
Founder and CEO of
WIT Software
Coimbra, Portugal
António Murta
Managing Partner at
Pathena SGPS S.A.
Porto, Portugal

10. TOP INTERNATIONAL
Mentors
Carlos Oliveira
Invest Braga President
Braga, Portugal
Tiago Silva Lopes
Data and Multiplatform
Content Director,
Portugal Telecom
Portugal
João Paulo Girbal
Empresário e Gestor
Portugal
Turi Munthe
Executive Chairman
Line-Up
Dave Darsch
Founder of the
CEO-Collaborative Forum
Barcelona, Spain
João Couto
Diretor Geral
Microsoft Portugal
Portugal
Paulo Pimenta
Founder and Managing
Partner
kuantokusta.pt
Portugal
Pedro Janela
CEO WYgroup
& partner eggNEST

11. The strategic partnership with
Microsoft Ventures will help
entrepreneurs build great companies.
Working with startups at every stage
of maturity, the initiative provides the
tools, resources, and expertise startups
need to succeed, and also the network
to access international markets and
investment opportunities.
Startups can also be integrated at
BizSpark, giving them a three-year
offer that provides access to a global
community of advisors, investors and
partners as well as Microsoft software
and services.
IN PARTNERSHIP
WITH MICROSOFT
VENTURES

12. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
MICROSOFT VENTURES
STARTUP BRAGA
IS A BRIDGE
TO 51 PARTNERS
WORLDWIDE
INCLUDING THE 6 MICROSOFT
VENTURES ACELERATORS
London Accelerator
69-89 Mile End Road
Whitechapel, London
E1 4TT, England
Paris Accelerator
6 rue du Sentier
75002 Paris
France

13. Tel Aviv Accelerator
Arie Shenkar 13
Hertzlia Pituach
Bangalore Accelerator
Vigyan, #9, Lavelle Road
Bangalore 560 001
India
Berlin Accelerator
Unter den Linden 17
10117 Berlin
Germany
Beijing Accelerator
北京市海淀区丹棱街5号微软
亚太研发集团总部大厦2号
楼2层

14. GROWN UP NETWORK
In order to boost the entrepreneurship ecosystem, the most successful and mature Startups have to
be engaged in the community with a give first approach when helping early stage startups.
By putting together this network we are actively promoting the creation of synergies between all the
Startup Braga community.

15. Startups
Attentive
Trendy
Phenomenon Venture FC

16. Edifício GNRATION
Praça Conde Agrolongo, nº123
4705-524 Braga - Portugal
www.startupbraga.com