Fábrica 2030 conference addresses scaling Portuguese industry

The Fábrica 2030 conference, held at the headquarters of the National Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ANJE) in Porto, addressed the challenges Portuguese companies face in transitioning from competitive exporters to international groups with significant scale.

During the event, ANJE President Carlos Carvalho called for the State to prioritize national innovation in public procurement. He criticized current public tender criteria for excluding startups and favoring obsolete solutions due to low risk tolerance. Carvalho also urged large corporations to support early-stage businesses by acting as first customers and sharing expertise to facilitate internationalization.

Pedro Duarte, Mayor of Porto, emphasized the city's commitment to fostering a fertile environment for innovation and competitiveness at both local and regional levels.