InvestBraga was one of the distinguished entities in the European Enterprise Promotion Awards (EEPA). At the award ceremony, which took place on July 16 at the CEIIA premises in Matosinhos, the Braga Agency for Economic Dynamization collected distinctions in all areas for which it competed, winning first place in the Improving the business environment category and two honourable mentions for the Investor’s Spot and Startup Braga.

"This award is, above all, the recognition of the merit of the work developed by InvestBraga and the Municipality of Braga through which we received the distinction of good practices that we seek to implement together with our companies and entrepreneurs," said Ricardo Rio, Mayor of Braga and President of InvestBraga.

For the Mayor "this is an award that undoubtedly belongs to each of the Business Ambassadors of the Municipality, and this prize is an added responsibility because we assume ourselves as a model to be followed by other institutions throughout Europe".

With the first place in the Improving the business environment category awarded to the project 'Business Ambassadors of the Municipality of Braga', InvestBraga sees recognized the initiative, which brings together 29 Business Ambassadors of the Municipality, to discuss the factors of economic attractiveness of the municipality, encourage and energize the local economy and share business challenges in a context of continuous improvement.

For Ana Ferreira, Director of Economic Dynamization and Investment Attraction Department, "this award belongs to the Braga Business Ambassadors, who believed in the project from the outset and have assumed a crucial role in developing Braga's business environment and supporting InvestBraga in its mission to promote Braga nationally and internationally". About the 'Investor's Spot, fast track for investment', distinguished with an honourable mention in the same area, Ana Ferreira stresses that "this is an open door for entrepreneurs, investors and partners. This award just reinforces that we are on the right track and gives us the strength to continue working on the strategic plan for economic development".

Startup Braga, which supports more than 135 startups, stood out in the area of support for the internationalization of companies, having received an honourable mention for its work in favour of the business fabric of Braga across borders. Visibly satisfied with the second achievement of Startup Braga in EEPA, Alexandre Mendes, responsible for the innovation hub of InvestBraga, considers that "this recognition is a reflection of the work developed with and for startups. The projects we support have exceeded the barrier of 40 million investment raised and much of this investment is captured precisely to support the entry of these startups in international markets such as the United Kingdom, the United States or LATAM".

Carlos Silva, InvestBraga’s Board Member, highlights "the importance of these awards in valuing the consistent work that has been done by InvestBraga and the different teams that make up each area of the investment agency. And they bring even more responsibility to the future, in which we want to continue to contribute decisively to the region's economic growth".

It should be recalled that the EEPA is an initiative of the European Commission (coordinated in Portugal by IAPMEI), aligned with the priorities of the Europe 2020 strategy, which aims to enhance the dissemination of activities recognized as good practice in promoting entrepreneurship in Europe. Every year, the best projects are distinguished, in various categories, for their contribution for the promotion of the economic development of each region of the country. The closing session of the ceremony was under the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Economy, José Correia Neves.

About the European Enterprise Promotion Awards

Promoted by the European Commission, they aim to identify and recognize successful activities and initiatives aimed at promoting enterprise and entrepreneurship; disseminate and share examples of best entrepreneurial policies and practices; raise awareness of the role played in society by entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs; encourage and inspire potential entrepreneurs.

Award for Improving the business environment

• The Improving the business environment category distinguishes innovative policies at a national, regional or local level that promote business creation and development, simplify legislative and administrative procedures in areas related to business activity, and implement the 'Think Small First' principle for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Award for Promoting the entrepreneurial spirit

• This category recognizes actions and initiatives at a national, regional or local level that promote entrepreneurship, especially among young people and women.

Award for Supporting the internationalization of business 

• This award distinguishes projects and policies at a national, regional or local level that encourage businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to benefit more from the opportunities offered by markets within and outside the European Union.