Building Global Innovators

Building Global Innovators emerged in 2010 as a forward-thinking startup accelerator, established through a strategic collaboration between the MIT Portugal Entrepreneurship and Innovation Initiative and ISCTE. Throughout its impressive journey spanning more than a decade, BGI's flagship acceleration program has empowered over 160 startups representing 76 countries to secure funding exceeding €300 million. The accelerator primarily targets early-stage ventures under five years old, focusing on four strategic verticals: Medical Devices & Health IT, Smart Cities & Industry 4.0 Solutions, Enterprise IT & Smart Data, and Water Economy.

Since 2016, BGI has expanded its impact by partnering with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), taking responsibility for implementing acceleration, educational initiatives, and open innovation programs across Portugal. This partnership has enabled BGI to foster innovation across multiple domains including Digital Transformation, Climate Action, Food Systems, Healthcare, Urban Mobility, Raw Materials, and Manufacturing. This multi-sector approach has positioned BGI as a central hub in Portugal's innovation ecosystem, connecting European resources with local entrepreneurial talent.

Beyond its accelerator programs, BGI has established itself as an innovation enabler, crafting collaborative entrepreneurship projects with private sector organizations. These partnerships have created valuable bridges between established companies and emerging startups, facilitating knowledge transfer and market access for innovative solutions. BGI's methodology combines intensive mentoring, market validation techniques, and access to an extensive network of investors, industry experts, and potential customers, giving participating startups a significant competitive advantage in scaling their operations both regionally and globally.

Currently, BGI is pivoting toward a stronger focus on sustainability and agrifood innovation, aligning its programs with pressing environmental and food system challenges. This strategic shift is captured in their new motto "Sustainable Ventures," signaling an evolution from purely technology-driven acceleration to supporting sustainable and agricultural technology ventures. This realignment reflects BGI's commitment to harnessing innovation and technological advancement to address critical sustainability issues, positioning the accelerator at the forefront of impact-driven entrepreneurship in Europe. More information about BGI's programs and initiatives can be found on their official website.