Fundacao Aep

Name

Fundacao Aep

Legal name

Fundação AEP

Website

https://fundacaoaep.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Development and Entrepreneurship Foundation Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (541910)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Research, Statistics & Policy Advisory (BPADAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technical Assistance, Policy Lending & Capacity Building Programs (BPADACAN)

Keywords

• Entrepreneurship support programs
• SME competitiveness initiatives
• Business development foundation
• Diaspora business networking
• Economic policy forums

Headquarters

HQ city

Porto

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Room and Venue Rental: The foundation generates revenue from renting out its historic meeting rooms, event spaces, and restaurant facilities to external clients for training sessions, business meetings, conferences, and corporate events.
2. Project-Based Funding (EU/National Programs): Fundacao AEP receives co-financing from European and national public funds (e.g., COMPETE 2020, Portugal 2020, Fundo Europeo de Desenvolvimento Regional) for projects such as Rede Global da Diaspora, Desafio 2030, and Digi4Future. These funds support project delivery rather than representing revenue per se.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fundacao AEP is a private non-profit foundation that promotes entrepreneurship, business competitiveness, and sustainable economic development in Portugal through a portfolio of programs, events, and research initiatives. Its core deliverables include the Rede Global da Diaspora platform connecting Portuguese entrepreneurs abroad, targeted entrepreneurship programs (Empreender 45-60, PME First, ACTIVE, Digi4Future), knowledge-transfer studies (Desafio 2030), high-profile policy and business forums (Jornadas Empresariais AEP | Serralves, Forum Produtividade e Inovacao, Conversas com o Presidente, Think Tank Portugal por Inteiro), and venue rental for corporate events at its Porto headquarters.

Product overview

Fundação AEP operates as a foundation focused on business development and entrepreneurship in Portugal, offering a portfolio of interconnected projects and services. The core offering includes the Rede Global da Diáspora platform for international business networking, combined with specialized entrepreneurship programs (Empreender 45-60, Empreender 2020, PME First, ACTIVE) and knowledge transfer initiatives (Desafio 2030, Manual de Inovação Aberta). The organization also convenes strategic discussion forums and conferences including the Think Tank Portugal por Inteiro, Fórum Produtividade e Inovação, and annual business conferences with Serralves. Physical venue services include meeting room rentals and restaurant facilities. These offerings work together to support Portuguese SMEs through networking platforms, training programs, research studies, and business forums.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ACTIVE - Centros Empreendedorismo Impacto: Entrepreneurship impact centers project
• PME First
• Digi4Future
• Rede Global da Diáspora
• Desafio 2030
• Empreender 45-60
• Think Tank Portugal por Inteiro
• Fórum Produtividade e Inovação
• Conversas na Fundação
• Jornadas Empresariais AEP | Serralves

Products and services

• Rede Global da Diáspora Collaborative digital platform connecting Portuguese diaspora across 126 countries to help national SMEs increase exports and promote Portugal's international brand through networking and business encounters.
• ACTIVE - Centros Empreendedorismo Impacto Entrepreneurship impact centers focused on promoting entrepreneurial activities and support for startups and business creation.
• PME First Support program for small and medium enterprises focused on business development and growth acceleration.
• Digi4Future Digital skills and transformation project aimed at preparing businesses and individuals for digital future challenges.
• Desafio 2030 Research initiative promoting knowledge sharing between higher education institutions and enterprises, including studies on international best practices for technology transfer.
• Empreender 45-60 Senior entrepreneurship project targeting individuals aged 45-60, promoting inclusive entrepreneurship through a National Senior Entrepreneurship Strategy.
• Think Tank Portugal por Inteiro - Territórios de Futuro Strategic think tank promoting prospective reflection on Portugal's future from territorial perspectives, examining challenges of climate, technological, demographic, and energy transitions.
• Manual de Inovação Aberta Open innovation methodology guide for SMEs to implement collaborative processes with other entities, particularly the National Scientific and Technological System.
• Jornadas Empresariais AEP | Serralves Annual business conferences organized jointly with Fundação de Serralves, bringing together recognized national personalities to discuss economic and business topics.
• Fórum Produtividade e Inovação Forum series developed jointly with SEDES focusing on economic policies, structural reforms, and conditions needed to strengthen productivity and innovation in Portugal.
• Conversas com o Presidente Discussion series bringing together political figures in an open and constructive dialogue space focused on civic and political relevance.
• Aluguer de Salas (Venue Rental) Meeting room and space rental services with historical facilities equipped with audiovisual equipment for training, business meetings, and events, including gardens and parking.
• Conferência sobre os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Annual conference dedicated to UN Sustainable Development Goals, aimed at raising awareness among Portuguese companies about sustainable business practices.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rede Global da Diaspora covers 126 countries with participation from 11 countries on 4 continents
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ACM - Alto Comissariado para as MigracoesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACM is listed as a partner on Fundacao AEP's Parcerias page. The partnership contributes to the foundation's diaspora-related work and broader migration and social integration initiatives.
• Fundacao Manuel Antonio da MotaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner on the Fundacao AEP website, contributing to the foundation's social and cultural development initiatives.
• IAPMEI - Agencia Portugesa para a Competitividade e InovacaocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAPMEI is a key institutional partner supporting Fundacao AEP's competitiveness and innovation programs. The partnership aligns with the foundation's mission to promote business innovation and support SMEs.
• IEFP - Instituto do Emprego e Formacao ProfissionalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIEFP collaborates with Fundacao AEP on training and employment-related projects, supporting the foundation's goals of improving workforce skills and promoting entrepreneurship.
• LUSA - Agencia de Noticias de PortugalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLUSA provides news agency services and media support to Fundacao AEP's communication activities. The partnership has been featured in the foundation's lunch debate series.
• Fundacao de SerralvescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFundacao de Serralves is the foundation's longest-standing and most prominent co-development partner. Together they organize the annual 'Jornadas Empresariais AEP | Serralves' and co-lead the Think Tank Portugal por Inteiro initiative. This is a flagship multi-annual partnership.
• Secretaria de Estado das Comunidades PortuguesascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe State Secretariat for Portuguese Communities is an institutional partner supporting the Rede Global da Diaspora project and diaspora-related initiatives, helping connect Portuguese communities abroad with domestic businesses.
• Santa Casa da Misericordia do PortominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFundacao AEP and Santa Casa da Misericordia do Porto signed a collaboration protocol to develop joint social sustainability conferences, raising awareness of corporate social responsibility among the business community.
• Centro Social Vale do HomemminorOthersListed as a partner on Fundacao AEP's Parcerias page, contributing to the foundation's social and community development activities.
• SEDES - Associacao Nacional de Economia e SociedadecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEDES and Fundacao AEP signed a cooperation agreement enabling joint development of economic and social initiatives. A SEDES delegation has been installed at Fundacao AEP's headquarters. The two organizations co-host the 'Forum Produtividade e Inovacao' and collaborate on policy debates and economic research.
• AICEP - Agencia para o Investimento e Comercio Externo de PortugalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAICEP has provided institutional support to the Rede Global da Diaspora project, which aims to promote Portuguese exports and the international brand of Portugal through the diaspora network.
• Rede das Camaras de Comercio PortuguesaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe network of Portuguese Chambers of Commerce (with over 60 members worldwide) partners with Fundacao AEP on the Rede Global da Diaspora, extending the platform's reach through established diaspora business networks.
• SEDES (Forum Produtividade e Inovacao co-organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Forum Produtividade e Inovacao is jointly organized by Fundacao AEP and SEDES, with coordination by Carlos Tavares (economist, former Minister of Economy) and Sara Monteiro (economist, innovation specialist). The forum brings together academics, economists, policymakers, and business leaders for structured debates on economic policy and productivity reform.
• Think Tank Portugal por Inteiro partners (various academics, professionals, and civil society)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Think Tank Portugal por Inteiro - Territorios de Futuro brings together academics, liberal professionals, association leaders, and civil society figures to produce strategic reflections and proposals for Portugal's territorial development over a 20-30 year horizon.
• ACCENTURE PortugalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAccenture Portugal's Strategy & Consulting team developed the Desafio 2030 study on international best practices for knowledge and technology transfer between universities and businesses, providing analytical and methodological expertise.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Eurochambres: European association of chambers of commerce representing over 20 million SMEs across Europe. Comparable to Fundação AEP as a convener of business associations and SME support network, though operating at a pan-European scale rather than Portugal-specific.
• Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian: Portugal's largest philanthropic foundation, with a much broader portfolio spanning arts, science, education, health, and social development. Comparable as a non-profit Portuguese foundation with public utility status, but operates at far greater scale and with deeper programmatic reach.

Direct peers

• Fundação BPI: Portuguese banking foundation supporting education, research, social innovation, and entrepreneurship. Comparable as a Portuguese private foundation of public utility that funds SME-related programs and convenes business stakeholders, though with a stronger financial-sector sponsor profile.
• Endeavor Portugal: Portuguese arm of global high-impact entrepreneurship support organization. Comparable to Fundação AEP's entrepreneurship-promotion programs (Empreender 45-60, ACTIVE) with a similar focus on supporting scale-up entrepreneurs and convening business leaders.
• Fundação EDP: Portuguese corporate foundation of EDP focused on energy transition, social innovation, and culture. Comparable as a Portuguese private foundation of public utility supporting social and economic development programs, though with a corporate-energy sponsor base.
• ANJE - Associação Nacional de Jovens Empresários: Portuguese young entrepreneurs association providing training, networking, and support programs for SME founders. Comparable to Fundação AEP as a non-profit SME support and entrepreneurship-promotion organization, though focused on younger founders specifically.
• SEDES - Associação Nacional de Economia e Sociedade: Portuguese economic and social policy think tank association that co-organizes the Forum Produtividade e Inovação with Fundação AEP. Directly comparable as a Portuguese non-profit convening platform for economic policy debate between business leaders, academics, and policymakers.
• Fundação Luso-Americana (FLAD): Portuguese foundation focused on Portugal-US relations, education, science, and economic development. Comparable as a non-profit Portuguese foundation of public utility with SME/business development and international networking programming similar to Fundação AEP.

Others

• AICEP - Agência para o Investimento e Comércio Externo de Portugal: Portuguese government agency for trade and investment promotion, already a partner of Fundação AEP on Rede Global da Diáspora. Comparable as an institutional player in Portuguese SME internationalization and economic development, though as a public agency rather than a private foundation.
• IAPMEI - Agência Portuguesa para a Competitividade e Inovação: Portuguese public agency for SME competitiveness and innovation, a core institutional partner of Fundação AEP. Comparable as a Portuguese entity focused on SME competitiveness and innovation policy, though operating as a public agency rather than a private foundation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fundacao-aep

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Fundacao Aep