MarcoInvest

What MarcoInvest does

MarcoInvest is the entrepreneurship and investment promotion initiative of the Câmara Municipal do Marco de Canaveses (Municipality of Marco de Canaveses), a public-sector economic development entity in northern Portugal approximately 50 km from Porto. Founded in May 2021, it operates the Espaço MarcoInvest, a combined coworking and business incubation facility housed in the Edifício Marco Fórum XXI building. The initiative functions not as a commercial enterprise but as a municipal program designed to support entrepreneurship, retain local talent, and attract investment to the Tâmega e Sousa sub-region, which has roughly 49,501 inhabitants across 201.9 km². It operates under a parent government entity with a small headcount of approximately 7 employees and no external shareholders, venture capital, or private equity involvement.

The core offering consists of subsidized workspace (incubation offices and shared coworking), a 12-month mentorship program (Programa de Mentoria MarcoInvest), and a portfolio of interconnected programs: the Iniciativa Geradora Marcoense (IGM) investment incentive offering IMT and IMI [property transfer and municipal property tax] exemptions for projects above €150,000 with 5+ jobs created; the annual Prémio Inovação MarcoInvest innovation awards with prize money up to €4,000; youth entrepreneurship education programs (Jovens Empreendedores, Mentes Brilhantes, Oficinas EXPERIMENTA!) reaching 2,000+ students across 8 municipalities; the Open Day MarcoInvest event series; the Roteiro Empresarial business visits program; and the Marcoense como Nós local commerce promotion campaign, which has driven approximately €1.8 million in transactions. The technology layer is a basic digital platform for online applications, space reservations, and program sign-ups, with no proprietary AI/ML components.

Since opening, MarcoInvest has incubated 10 business projects and attracted 28 coworking members (18 added in 2023), with incubated tenants generating combined turnover of approximately €995,000, €34,000 in investment, €15,000 in exports, and 17 direct jobs. The go-to-market approach is community-led and event-driven, anchored by partnerships with all local school groupings, the Associação Empresarial de Marco de Canaveses (AEMarco), the Instituto Empresarial do Tâmega (IET), Nova School of Business and Economics, and IAPMEI (Agência para a Competitividade e Inovação). Target segments are local entrepreneurs and startups, secondary and primary school students, remote workers, established local businesses, and outside investors eligible for IGM incentives. Pricing is not publicly disclosed but operates on subsidized annual subscription terms for incubation, and the entity does not generate commercial revenue.

Name

MarcoInvest

Legal name

MarcoInvest

Website

https://marcoinvest.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MarcoInvest is the municipal entrepreneurship and investment promotion initiative of the Câmara Municipal de Marco de Canaveses in northern Portugal, operating subsidized coworking, business incubation, and investment incentives (IGM) for local entrepreneurs, students, and outside investors in the Tâmega e Sousa sub-region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Incubation Services

NAICS

Business and Secretarial Schools (611410), Administration of General Economic Programs (92611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK), Financial Literacy, Budgeting & Personal Finance (EDAMAHAE), Career Exploration & Industry Exposure (Guest Speakers, Company Visits) (EDAMAHAJ)

Keywords

• Business incubation services
• Coworking space rental
• Municipal investment incentives
• Entrepreneurship education programs
• Startup support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Marco de Canaveses

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Municipal Economic Development Initiative: MarcoInvest is a municipal initiative funded by the Municipality of Marco de Canaveses to promote entrepreneurship, support local businesses, and attract investment to the region. It operates as a public service rather than a commercial enterprise, providing subsidized incubation and coworking services at reduced rates to support economic development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

MarcoInvest operates a municipal coworking and business incubation facility (Espaço MarcoInvest) providing subsidized workspaces, private offices, meeting rooms, and business support services to entrepreneurs, startups, and remote workers in Marco de Canaveses, Portugal. Around this hub it runs entrepreneurship education programs (Jovens Empreendedores, Mentes Brilhantes, Oficinas EXPERIMENTA!), a 12-month mentorship program, annual innovation awards (Prémio Inovação MarcoInvest), a municipal investment incentive program (Iniciativa Geradora Marcoense), and community events such as Open Day and Roteiro Empresarial.

Product overview

MarcoInvest is a municipal entrepreneurship support ecosystem operated by the Municipality of Marco de Canaveses, Portugal. The core offering is the Espaço MarcoInvest, a combined coworking and business incubation facility that provides physical workspaces and business support services. The portfolio includes the Iniciativa Geradora Marcoense (IGM) investment incentive program, various entrepreneurship education programs (Jovens Empreendedores, Mentes Brilhantes, Oficinas EXPERIMENTA!), the annual Prémio Inovação MarcoInvest innovation awards, mentorship programs, Open Day events, the Roteiro Empresarial business visits program, and the Marcoense como Nós local commerce promotion campaign. These interconnected programs create a comprehensive support structure from youth entrepreneurship education through business incubation, acceleration, and investment attraction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Espaço MarcoInvest (Coworking and Incubation Space) A municipal coworking and business incubation facility offering shared workspaces, private offices (gabinetes), meeting rooms, and business support services at subsidized rates. Targets entrepreneurs, startups, and remote workers in Marco de Canaveses with incubation support available for up to 1 year.
• Iniciativa Geradora Marcoense (IGM) A municipal investment incentive program that provides tax benefits (IMT, IMI exemptions) and administrative support for businesses investing in Marco de Canaveses. Requires minimum investment of €150,000 and creation of 5+ jobs.
• Prémio Inovação MarcoInvest An annual innovation award competition recognizing entrepreneurial and innovative initiatives with potential social impact. Features categories for Junior, Start-up, Social, and Corporate participants with prize money up to €4,000.
• Jovens Empreendedores – Construir o Futuro A youth entrepreneurship education program that develops entrepreneurial skills through bootcamps, Design Thinking workshops, pitch training, and mentorship, targeting secondary school students in partnership with local schools.
• Mentes Brilhantes An entrepreneurship education program for primary school students (1st to 4th grade) that stimulates creativity, critical thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit through bootcamps and mentorship with IET.
• Oficinas EXPERIMENTA! Hands-on professional orientation workshops for 9th grade students providing direct exposure to various business sectors including design, communication, metalworking, construction, tourism, and wine production.
• Programa de Mentoria MarcoInvest

Quantifiable outcome

• 10 business projects incubated since May 2021
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IET - Instituto Empresarial do TâmegacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Mentes Brilhantes program, which stimulates creativity, critical thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit among primary school students (1st cycle). IET mentors work with students on bootcamps to develop solutions for real-world challenges. The partnership involves 88+ students from multiple schools developing innovative projects addressing social and environmental issues.
• Nova SBE (Nova School of Business and Economics)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established between the Municipality of Marco de Canaveses and Nova SBE to implement the 'Finanças para Todos Empresas' (Finance for Everyone) program in the municipality. This is a free training initiative funded by the European Union, aimed at financial literacy and education for local businesses.
• AEMarco (Associação Empresarial do Marco de Canaveses)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with the local business association for initiatives including the Gala do Empresário, Jovens Empreendedores program, and Marcoense como Nós competition. AEMarco celebrated its 78th anniversary in 2023 and represents the backbone of the local business community.
• IAPMEI (Agência para a Competitividade e Inovação)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational agency that provides the PME Líder and PME Excelência certification programs. MarcoInvest promotes these recognition programs to local companies, with 25 companies from Marco de Canaveses receiving PME Excelência 2024 status. IAPMEI also collaborates with Turismo de Portugal and the financial system for these awards.
• Associação Empresarial de AmarantecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between the Municipality of Marco de Canaveses and Associação Empresarial de Amarante for the implementation of the Jovens Empreendedores - Construir o Futuro project. This project promotes entrepreneurial skills among secondary school students through bootcamps, workshops, and mentorship.
• Jovens Empreendedores - Construir o FuturocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEntrepreneurship education project implemented in Marco de Canaveses through collaboration between the municipality and various educational institutions. Includes bootcamps, Design Thinking workshops, pitch training, and the 'Desafio Limonada' competition. The project has reached over 2,000 students across 8 municipalities.
• Municipality of Marco de CanavesescoreOthersThe parent organization. MarcoInvest is the municipal entrepreneurship and investment support initiative, operating under the Municipality of Marco de Canaveses. The municipality provides funding, physical space, and strategic direction for all MarcoInvest activities.
• FUTURAGRI / INOVA+minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFUTURAGRI, coordinated by consultant INOVA+, visited Marco de Canaveses Municipal Market as part of a tour of 10 municipal markets. The initiative informed citizens about the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), promoting sustainable agricultural practices and environmental protection goals.
• School Groupings of Marco de CanavesescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll school groupings and the non-grouped school of Marco de Canaveses participate in MarcoInvest youth entrepreneurship programs, from 1st cycle primary through secondary and vocational education (including EPAMAC). This comprehensive coverage ensures entrepreneurship education reaches students at all levels.
• Service of Psychology and Orientation (SPO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool psychology and career guidance services that collaborate on youth entrepreneurship programs, helping students explore career paths and entrepreneurial opportunities through MarcoInvest initiatives.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marcoinvest
• Instagraminstagram.com/espaco.marcoinvest

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MarcoInvest