Amorim Cork Ventures launches a new call for proposals for entrepreneurs

As from today, a new call for proposals, addressed to entrepreneurs with cork-related ideas or projects who are looking for a partner to accelerate their knowledge acquisition and conditions to start a new business.

The new call extends to the beginning of May and, in line with the call held in the second half of 2015, foresees a pre-acceleration programme for the selected projects in Lisbon, once again in partnership with Beta-i.

Since its launch, Amorim Cork Ventures has received over 190 proposals and has supported 17 projects, which to date have led to the creation of three startups, with a further two startups about to be incorporated.

In addition to ECOCHIC (the startup behind ASPORTUGUESAS), the other companies incubated at Amorim Cork Ventures include a startup in the interior decoration textiles area and a startup dedicated to the injection of cork composites and polymers.

It should be noted that this new call for proposals, retains the rationale behind the genesis of Amorim Cork Ventures, which involves fostering the creation and development of new products and businesses, where cork is presented as a differentiating element, fundamentally oriented to foreign markets. Although there has not yet been any international promotion of the scheme, Corticeira Amorim’s incubator has already received proposals from 13 countries outside Portugal.

In light of this demand, the first promotional initiative abroad will be announced during 2016, which aims to attract entrepreneurs in Spain, France and Italy. The terms of this initiative are currently under analysis.