"Innovation is a cornerstone of Corticeira Amorim's business. Setting up Amorim Cork Ventures is, therefore, a natural step in the ongoing evolution of Amorim that, as a world leader, is in a specially privileged position to support entrepreneurs who want to join Corticeira Amorim in its mission to add value to cork. We believe that this path will lead us to achieve sustainable cork export growth and development for the entire industry." António Rios de Amorim

Amorim Cork Ventures’s creation represents a whole new approach to open-innovation, to promoting entrepreneurship and the development of new businesses with cork. These have to add value to the market, as well as to be export-oriented.

Since its launch, Amorim Cork Ventures has received more than 326 applications, from the most diverse areas, which is proof of how versatile cork can be. The entrepreneurs and teams behind those applications also come from very different social and professional backgrounds. Out of all analysed projects, footwear, interior design, health & well-being, urban mobility, sports and construction are some of the areas that stand out.

Despite our first programs being targeted exclusively at Portuguese entrepreneurs, we have already gotten applications from 25 different countries. Examples of those countries would be Australia, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Up to the second half of 2018, 20 projects were approved and 4 startups were created.