Applications are open until October 12th for Launch In Lisbon, the program that prepares entrepreneurs, companies and investors for the incorporation of their startups in Portugal. In addition to all legal and tax information, participants are introduced to the city’s ecosystem so they can gather contacts and build their networks in the city hosting the Web Summit for another 10 years.
The program has played a key role in the incorporation process of the participants’ businesses in Lisbon: in a survey carried out with the alumni, 75% say that the program changed the steps they took to set up their businesses in Lisbon. The first three editions were attended by about 30 entrepreneurs from 16 nationalities including: USA, Brazil, France, UK, Russia and South Africa.
Michael Fiorentino, from the USA, and founder of Vixtape, a startup that recently settled in Portugal, reinforces the importance of the program in the incorporation process: “When I attended the Launch in Lisbon program last year I knew I wanted to move my company to Europe but I was not sure which city was best for me. By the end of the three day program I made the decision to move to this wonderful, creative and supportive city. It was very helpful to be personally introduced to the startup scene, hearing about Portugal’s incentives for entrepreneurs and to quickly make connections to new friends and business partners.
This edition introduces a new feature: a workshop fully dedicated to investment. The program includes several training modules, such as “Subsidies and Grants”, “Corporate Law”, “Corporate Tax “or” Personal Tax “, but also features other informal moments like the Ecosystem Tour, a visit to several startups of the Lisbon ecosystem, or a networking dinner that closes the program.
Specialized partners for a surprise-free entry process in Portugal
This is already the fourth edition of the program with partners Deloitte, Moss & Coopers, Hays and, for the first time, JLL, all of them with experience and know-how on the existing advantages for foreign entrepreneurs who wish to settle in Portugal.
“Apart from other relevant features, the Portuguese tax system has been adjusting to a new breed of businesses and entrepreneurs, in order to position Portugal as a hub for the setup of new and disruptive projects. In this context, several tax benefits are currently provided (and others being considered) to attract entrepreneurs to locate their innovative projects in Portugal, “says Paulo Rodrigues, International Tax Associate Partner at Deloitte.
Filipa Pinto de Carvalho, Managing Partner of Moss & Cooper, also reinforces the importance of the Portuguese Government’s incentives for the installation of these businesses in Portugal: “The government is keen to support the establishment of foreign-owned startups in Portugal and is willing to provide funding to make it happen. By accelerating the implementation of Portugal 2020 and other specific grants’ schemes, the Portuguese Government hopes to increase startups’ investment and affirm Portugal as a Hub for innovation and technology. Budget allocations will be targeted primarily at companies, for the launch of new innovative businesses, with scalable business models, so this is definitely a great time to launch in Lisbon. With the help of public funds, entrepreneurs can adjust their approach to fundraising in a way that is more advantageous to them, without losing precious equity early in the game.”
Launch in Lisbon in a glimpse
The program includes intensive workshops on the incorporation of a company according to Portuguese Laws, fundamentals of corporate and personal tax, labor laws, immigration and talent recruitment. Obtaining grants and subsidies, the real estate market, networking events, and an entrepreneurial ecosystem tour with visits to incubators/accelerators are also part of the program. PLMJ Law Firm, Moss & Cooper Consulting, Hays Recruitment Company, Deloitte and JLL. All sessions are held in English.
How to participate:
The next Launch in Lisbon will take place between October 29th-31st, 2018. The deadline application is October 12th.
All interested in participating should apply through Startup Lisbon’s website: startuplisboa.com/launch-in-lisbon/
The cost of the program is € 575 (VAT exclusive) per participant.
Please check the website for further information or contact: launchinlisbon@startuplisboa.com
