Microsoft’s director, João Couto, said that over €160m has been invested in Portuguese start-ups. “We are talking about more than €160m already invested in Portuguese startups. We have over 20 startups that are already very close to reaching $1 million in investments and 40 have already reached $1 million dollars in investment,” said João Couto citing a study of the Startup Europe Partnership 2015. João Couto believes that is building up “a fantastic movement, with energy and a very positive dynamic.”
He said most of the companies “have a focus on international business, companies that have more than 67 percent of its activity focused on international markets.” The Microsoft boss pointed out that also the qualitative point of view the dynamics are positive, since Portugal “is attracting a lot of international investors, great creatives and international entrepreneurs.” “This gives us an exhibition not only as an individual of the ‘startup’ project, but as a ‘hub’ (center) for innovation, and positions Portugal as a center of innovation in the global context, as London, Berlin, Tel Aviv and Sillicon Valley,”said Couto.
