US UTEN experts meet tech-transfer officers and entrepreneurs in Portugal

The visit of Laura Kilcrease and Eli Mercer to Portugal during the last week of November can be characterised by three key expressions: discussion, exchange of ideas and cooperation. Throughout this week of intensive work, the experienced Venture Capitalist and the Consultant – both from Austin, Texas – worked together with Portuguese Spin-offs, Technology Transfer Offices and Venture Capital Companies that are members of the UTEN network. The objectives were clear: share privileged know-how and contacts and establish a closer relationship with the North American market.

TecMinho, AvePark, Spinpark, UPTEC (U. Porto Science and Technology Park), IPN (Pedro Nunes Institute), Taguspark, Ydreams and IST (Instituto Superior Técnico) were the eight institutions selected for this visit that took place between 24 and 28 November in the cities of Guimarães, Porto, Coimbra and Lisbon. Throughout five demanding days and 25 meetings, 50 entrepreneurs had the opportunity to be advised and mentored by two US experts in the areas of venture capital and technology transfer: Laura Kilcrease and Eli Mercer.

Through these meetings and informal experience exchange, UTEN intends to foster on-the-job training in US and, at the same time, set the grounds for the cooperation between US and Portuguese Venture Capitalists and Business Angels. Ultimately, the intention is to establish a bridge with the North American market through the promotion of specialised competence training and through the gradual establishment of networks.

INESC Porto plays a fundamental role in the UTEN network while promoting entrepreneurship, technology-based business incubation and other entrepreneurial activities through collaborations with American universities.