Two Advisers from the Azores Prestige Network, created by the Regional Government, met with the President of the Republic in Silicon Valley during his visit to the United States of America.
Advisers Armando Pereira and Helder Antunes joined the team in charge of the preparations of Cavaco Silva's visit to Silicon Valley.
Prestige Azores Network, an initiative developed by the Regional Secretariat for Science, Technology and Infrastructures, is a project that aims to promote closer ties between the Region and the Azoreans, Azorean descendants or people directly involved with the Azores, either residents or non-residents, whose work has relevance in the fields of science and/or technology.
The creation and enhancement of specialised international advice channels that contribute to the sustainable development of the Azores is the ultimate goal of Prestige Network. It also aims to recognise and honour excellence in academic, scientific, business or any other work developed by Azoreans throughout the world.
In the context of the President's visit, several meetings took place between the members of Cavaco Silva's entourage, Portuguese business people and the officials from companies specialised in venture capital and scientific and technological development.
Director Armando Pereira, General Partner of Pereira Ventures, has played a strategic role in organising these meetings as this is his area of expertise.
The Presidential entourage had the opportunity to visit Stanford University and some reference companies in Silicon Valley, including Cisco Systems, the company where adviser Helder Antunes, Director of Engineering Solutions SRTG/Architectures, holds management positions.
Furthermore, Cavaco Silva's entourage had the opportunity to attend several other events on the innovation ecosystem of Silicon Valley. The Regional Government Advisers played d a strategic role in the organisation and participation of these events.
The contacts made during the visit of the President proved to be of great interest for the future.