The Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto (UPTEC) is a pioneering structure in the context of higher education in Portugal, which gathers a wide range of startups and private R&D centres around the University of Porto.

UPTEC supports the creation and development of business projects in the arts, sciences and technologies, through sharing knowledge between the university and the market. Since its inception, in 2007, UPTEC has supported the development of more than 600 business projects notable for their high degree of innovation, technological intensity, expertise and potential for internationalisation. These companies generated 2800 jobs (mainly occupied by highly qualified human resources) which makes the “birthplace of innovation” of the University of Porto a major focus of innovation and development within the Portuguese socio-economic context.

UPTEC hosts companies in three centres –  UPTEC Asprela, UPTEC Baixa and UPTEC Mar – following a strategy of clustering and sharing of resources among startups, innovation centers and anchor projects, offering them the specific support they need, while assuring that they also benefit from a broader and transversal network of national and international partners.

In addition to the different services it offers to incubated companies, UPTEC also focuses on attracting innovation centres. Renowned companies have found the ideal space and means to undertake R&D+i by taking advantage of the synergies with the University’s research and development departments. It is also home to international players in innovation, such as EFACEC, Fraunhofer Portugal and Sonae Arauco.