IFDEP

What IFDEP does

IFDEP (Instituto para o Fomento e Desenvolvimento do Empreendedorismo em Portugal) is a Portuguese non-profit institute founded in 2003/2004 and headquartered in Coimbra. It delivers entrepreneurship development, business training, and management consulting services primarily through EU co-funded programs under the Portugal 2020 framework. Its core programs include MOVE PME (SME management systems implementation, ISO certification support, and formation-action methodology applied to quality, environment, occupational health and safety, food safety, and innovation management); FAME (training, consulting, and financial support for women entrepreneurs, 100% funded for participants with grants of 12x IAS for new business creation); EGE (business management specialization for unemployed individuals); PDP (personal development for vulnerable populations under POISE/FSE); and INOVPME (placement of qualified young graduates into SMEs). Delivery spans Norte, Centro, Alentejo, Algarve, and Lisboa regions.

Underlying IFDEP's service delivery are two core methodological assets: a proprietary business plan model used across both training and consulting engagements, and the formation-action (formação-ação) methodology that alternates classroom training with on-site consulting. The organization operates with 251–500 employees and is led by President António Henriques and Vice-President Miguel Carreto, supported by senior consultants with 15+ years of experience. IFDEP's technology stack is labor- and methodology-intensive rather than software-driven; no AI/ML, API, or proprietary software platform capabilities are disclosed.

IFDEP's business model is built on professional-services delivery under multi-year EU co-funded contracts. MOVE PME is 90% financed by COMPETE 2020/POCI with participants covering 10%; FAME is fully funded with no participant charge; PDP is co-funded 85% by FSE and 15% by national public contribution. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise enrollment with partner-channel recruitment through municipalities, Cáritas Diocesana de Évora, ADES, CIM regions, AIP, EIT Food, BIC Portugal, and the Enterprise Europe Network. Since 2004, IFDEP has supported 350+ women entrepreneurs (with 70+ new businesses created), 200+ companies in MOVE PME, 2,500 trainees, and ~100,000 training hours; INOVPME has achieved a 92% employment rate and 30+ ISO 9001 certifications have been delivered.

Name

IFDEP

Legal name

IFDEP - Instituto para o Fomento e Desenvolvimento do Empreendedorismo em Portugal

Website

https://ifdep.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

IFDEP is a Portuguese non-profit institute that delivers EU co-funded entrepreneurship training and consulting to SMEs, women entrepreneurs, unemployed individuals, and vulnerable populations across Portugal via programs such as MOVE PME, FAME, EGE, and PDP.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Coimbra

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. EU Co-Funded Public Program Delivery: IFDEP operates as a delivery entity for EU-funded programs under Portugal 2020, COMPETE 2020, POISE, and other operational programs. Revenue is generated through the execution of approved projects with co-financing rates of typically 85-90% from EU funds (FSE/Fundo Social Europeu, COMPETE) and the remainder from participant contributions or national public funds. Programs such as MOVE PME (90% funded), FAME (100% funded for participants), and PDP are financed entirely through these public mechanisms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IFDEP is a Portuguese non-profit institute that delivers entrepreneurship development, business training, and consulting services primarily to micro, small and medium enterprises (PMEs) and individual entrepreneurs. Its portfolio combines a proprietary business plan model with a formation-action (formação-acção) methodology, alternating classroom training with on-site consulting to implement quality, environmental, occupational health and safety, food safety, innovation and digital transition management systems. Programs are largely co-financed by European structural funds (Portugal 2020, COMPETE 2020, POISE/FSE) and delivered in partnership with municipalities, industry associations and local support entities.

Product overview

IFDEP (Instituto para o Fomento e Desenvolvimento do Empreendedorismo em Portugal) offers a unified suite of entrepreneurship development programs and business support services. The core portfolio includes: MOVE PME (quality management system implementation through training-action methodology), FAME (women's entrepreneurship support combining training, consultancy and financial incentives), EGE (business management specialization), and PDP (personal development). Supporting offerings include INOVPME (youth placement in SMEs), CAIE (business initiative support center), and specialized consulting services. IFDEP TV and Wall of Fame serve as complementary platforms for content and success story showcase. All programs are co-financed under Portugal 2020 and operated in partnership with AIP and other institutional entities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MOVE PME A training-action program co-financed 90% by COMPETE 2020/POCI for PMEs with up to 100 workers in the Norte and Centro regions of Portugal, delivering implementation of quality, environment, occupational health and safety, innovation and digital transition management systems through classroom training combined with on-site consulting.
• FAME - Programa de Formação e Consultoria de Apoio à Criação de Empresas A training and consultancy program for business creation targeted at women entrepreneurs, providing training, business consultancy, and a financial grant for participants who complete training and launch their own business. 100% financed for participants with no charges.
• EGE - Especialização em Gestão Empresarial A national business management specialization program for unemployed individuals with at least 10th grade education, developing practical management skills through case analysis, group work, and presentations, with placement support into Portuguese SMEs.
• Programa de Desenvolvimento Pessoal (PDP) A personal and social skills development program co-financed by POISE (85% FSE, 15% national) under Portugal 2020, providing 300 hours of training covering behavioral dimensions, IT, English, and micro/small business creation for vulnerable populations.
• INOVPME A program aimed at inserting qualified young people with higher education qualifications into small and medium enterprises to stimulate change, promote competitiveness and innovation, with a reported 92% employment rate.
• Serviços de Consultoria Especializada Specialized consulting services delivered under IFDEP's Portugal 2020 accreditation, covering Internationalization, Qualification, Entrepreneurship, and IDT, including implementation of management systems (quality, occupational safety, food safety, environmental), internationalization, marketing, restructuring, and strategic redefinition.
• Programa Empreender na Escola A seminar cycle aimed at promoting entrepreneurship in secondary education establishments, with approximately 100 interventions delivered across educational institutions since inception.
• Programa Organizações Empreendedoras A program focused on critical organizational dimensions for dynamic and proactive companies, addressing motivational components, leadership and teamwork within organizations.
• CAIE - Centro de Apoio a Iniciativas Empresariais A permanent support structure for the constitution of new business initiatives, providing technical support for idea validation, preparation of funding applications, and professional training.
• Estudos (Research Studies) Research studies conducted by IFDEP on themes including entrepreneurship, women's entrepreneurship, training, education, and business activity, covering youth entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship in immigrant communities, and entrepreneurship above 45 years.

Quantifiable outcome

• 82% employability rate achieved by INOV|PME program graduates, significantly above the national average
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AIP - Associação Industrial PortuguesacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIP serves as the Managing Entity (Organismo Gestor) for the MOVE PME program and as a key strategic partner for program development. AIP is the 'Associação Industrial Portuguesa, Câmara do Comércio e Indústria.' IFDEP and AIP collaborate on formation-action programs aimed at improving SME management processes, with AIP providing institutional oversight and IFDEP delivering the programs. The partnership also includes joint training actions such as INCOTERMS seminars.
• Cáritas Diocesana de ÉvoracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFDEP and Cáritas Diocesana de Évora established a protocol for joint development of several actions in the Évora district, with the FAME program being the first visible action. This partnership enables the delivery of entrepreneurship training for women in the Alentejo region, with Cáritas contributing local infrastructure and community networks.
• ADES - Associação Desenvolvimento do SabugalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerADES and IFDEP established a protocol for the development of entrepreneur training in the municipality of Sabugal. This initiative enables 13 entrepreneurs to benefit from IFDEP-facilitated training and consulting programs, combining seminars on leadership and organizational work with individual advisory services for their businesses.
• RetailgesteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFDEP established a partnership with Retailgeste aimed at stimulating entrepreneurial spirit and supporting innovative ideas and projects that result in business creation. The partnership provides entrepreneurs with commercial spaces (shops and offices) at attractive conditions, along with free advisory services and consulting in Management, Marketing, and Technical areas.
• SAGEminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIFDEP and SAGE established a partnership providing special conditions for FAME program participants to acquire SAGE ONE software. This enables women entrepreneurs to access business management software at preferential rates.
• PROVERE ZONA DOS MÁRMORESminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFDEP integrates the PROVERE Zona dos Mármores program, which covers the municipalities of Alandroal, Borba, Estremoz, Sousel, and Vila Viçosa. The program aims to valorize marble as a primary resource for the extractive industry. IFDEP contributes in the domain of entrepreneurship development, including programs such as 'Empreender na Escola,' 'Apoio ao Micro-Empreendedorismo,' and 'Organizações Empreendedoras.'
• PROVERE TURISMO E PATRIMÓNIO NO VALE DO CÔAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFDEP collaborates with the PROVERE Turismo e Património no Vale do Côa program covering municipalities of Almeida, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Meda, Mogadouro, Pinhel, Sabugal, Torre de Moncorvo, Trancoso, and Vila Nova de Foz Côa. IFDEP intervenes in promoting entrepreneurship and competitiveness of regional businesses in this territory of low population density.
• BIC - Business Innovation Centers Portugal AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFDEP joined the Association of Business and Innovation Centers of Portugal (BICs), which congregates European Business and Innovation Centres recognized by the European Commission. This membership enables cooperation with the national and European BIC network and positions IFDEP as a promoter of the 'BIC Centro' project.
• Building Global Innovators / EIT Food (EWA Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFDEP partners with Building Global Innovators under the EIT Food initiative to deliver the EWA (Empowered Women in Agrifood) program, which aims to meet the aspirations of women in the agrifood sector and help them develop successful sustainable businesses.
• Enterprise Europe NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFDEP participates in Enterprise Europe Network activities, which helps startups, SMEs, and research centers find international technology partnerships through pre-scheduled bilateral meetings. The network is coordinated in Portugal by Agência de Inovação.
• European Commission (Grundtvig / Adult Education)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFDEP participated in a Grundtvig seminar in Naples, Italy (October 1-5), organized by the National Agency for the Management of the Lifelong Learning Programme. The seminar focused on promoting learning partnerships, knowledge sharing, and experience exchange between European entities on turning creative and innovative ideas into action in adult education.
• CIM - Comunidade Intermunicipal da Região de CoimbraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFDEP collaborated with CIM Região de Coimbra on the 2014 Capacitação Técnica de Empreendedores program, delivering 'Iniciação à Empresa e aos Negócios' training actions across 20 municipalities in the Coimbra region during October-November 2014.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• EIT Food: European knowledge and innovation community IFDEP partners with for the EWA program. Comparable as both deliver EU-funded entrepreneurship programs targeting food and sustainability verticals across multiple European geographies.
• Enterprise Europe Network Portugal (ANI): Coordinator of Enterprise Europe Network activities in Portugal — an EU network IFDEP already participates in. Comparable as both facilitate SME internationalization and partnership development, with ANI serving as the national coordinator rather than a direct program delivery entity.

Direct peers

• AIP - Associação Industrial Portuguesa: IFDEP's strategic partner and Managing Entity for MOVE PME. Comparable as both deliver management training, INCOTERMS seminars, and SME support programs, with AIP serving as the institutional umbrella for IFDEP's flagship program.
• Cáritas Portuguesa: IFDEP's partner in Évora district for FAME delivery. Comparable as both target vulnerable populations and women in Portugal through training, social inclusion, and employment programs co-financed by POISE/EU funds.
• BIC Portugal - Business Innovation Centres: IFDEP is a member of BIC Portugal, which congregates European-recognized Business and Innovation Centres delivering SME incubation and acceleration services. Comparable to IFDEP in providing structured entrepreneurship support under EU frameworks.
• ANJE - Associação Nacional de Jovens Empresários: Portuguese association supporting young entrepreneurs through training, mentoring, and incubation programs. Closely comparable to IFDEP's FAME and CAIE programs in targeting entrepreneurship training and business creation support in Portugal.

Others

• Bureau Veritas Portugal: IFDEP protocol partner providing advantageous certification services to its SME clients. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant in the Portuguese ISO certification and quality management systems market that IFDEP's MOVE PME clients pursue.

Broad incumbents

• Startup Portugal: National initiative promoting Portuguese entrepreneurship with both public and EU backing. Comparable to IFDEP as both channel EU and national funding into entrepreneurship support, though Startup Portugal operates at a national brand level rather than direct program delivery.
• Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional (IEFP): Portugal's public employment and vocational training institute. Comparable as both deliver training programs targeting unemployed individuals and SMEs, though IEFP operates as a state institution with national scale and broader vocational scope than IFDEP.
• IAPMEI - Agência para a Competitividade e Inovação: Portugal's public agency for SME competitiveness and innovation. Comparable to IFDEP as both deliver SME management, entrepreneurship, and EU-funded program support in Portugal, though IAPMEI operates as a state agency with broader scope and larger budget.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about IFDEP