Portugal, Talento and the world knows and wants to support!

Portugal, Talento and the world knows and wants to support!
For more than two years I have been following the work of Chris Lennon and Empowered Startups in Portugal. Throughout this period, I have observed something that often goes unnoticed in the national debate: the way investors, entrepreneurs, researchers and highly qualified professionals from other countries look at Portugal with an enthusiasm that, sometimes, the Portuguese themselves do not seem to have.
The recent partnership between Empowered Startups and the Municipality of Coimbra is another example of this reality. We are not just talking about an institutional protocol or another initiative linked to entrepreneurship. We are talking about a strategic vision to attract talent, investment and knowledge to Portugal, transforming research into companies, ideas into products and knowledge into economic value.
In recent years, Coimbra has been asserting itself as one of the main innovation hubs in the country. The University of Coimbra, the Pedro Nunes Institute, research centres and an increasingly dynamic business ecosystem have created the conditions that many international markets are looking for. What Empowered Startups realized before many was precisely that: Portugal is not just a place to invest. It's a place to create.
The phrase that I retain the most from this whole process is simple:
Portugal, Talento and the world knows and wants to support.
Because that's exactly what's happening.
While here we often remain stuck in discussions about what is missing, there are international investors, entrepreneurs and global organizations that look at the country and see something different. They see quality universities, internationally recognized researchers, highly qualified young people, quality of life, stability and a capacity for innovation that continues to grow.
The Startup Capital Summit itself made this evident. The debate focused on key topics such as innovation, talent retention, knowledge transfer, private investment and competitiveness. And the conclusion seems increasingly clear: Portugal already produces knowledge at the level of the best. The challenge now is to transform this knowledge into companies, products and economic growth.
This is precisely where initiatives such as those of Empowered Startups gain relevance. The HQA program is not limited to attracting foreign investment. It creates bridges between international professionals and Portuguese institutions, helps to transform research into business projects and brings Portugal closer to global markets. It is a practical approach, focused on results and aligned with what the country needs most: creating value through knowledge.
In a world where competition for talent is fierce, the ability to attract qualified people has become as important as the ability to attract capital. And Coimbra is showing that it is possible to do both things at the same time. Not only through the university, but through the connection between academia, companies, municipalities and investors.
Perhaps that is why this news deserves attention. Because it shows a different Portugal from the one that so often dominates the titles. It shows a country that investigates, innovates, creates and attracts international interest.
Of course, there are still challenges. Bureaucracy, housing, talent retention and productivity continue to demand answers. But it's equally important to recognize what's working.
For too long we have become accustomed to looking outside for examples. Today something different is starting to happen. There are more and more people out there looking to Portugal as an example.
And when an entrepreneur like Chris Lennon decides to strengthen his commitment to the country after years of working closely with Portuguese universities, researchers and entrepreneurs, perhaps we should pay attention.
Because talent exists.
Because knowledge exists.
Because opportunities exist.
And because, increasingly, the world knows this and wants to be part of this story.