The Azores Business Incubator Network (RIEA) was created by the Regional Government as part of the strategy to stimulate entrepreneurship, innovation and business competitiveness. It already consists of eight incubators, following its expansion to private business centres and non-profit entities dedicated to the promotion of social entrepreneurship. The occupation capacity is practically exhausted with nearly 90 companies.
Unoffice, One-Solmar Business Center and CEmpA - Azores Business Centre and, more recently, Incubaçor from Cresaçor - Regional Solidarity Economy Cooperative were the private entities to join RIEA, which also includes the Azores Craft Lab, Go-On, Links Beach and Angra Startup.
These incubators, half of which were created by regional or municipal initiatives and the other half by private initiatives and a non-profit entity, currently provide 35 offices for incubated companies, 12 meeting spaces and 52 coworking spaces (shared workspaces).
In view of the interest expressed by private entities and business centres, the Vice-Presidency of the Government expects a growing adherence of more incubators this year. Hence, the Government will reinforce and extend the coverage of this network, which is based on the creation of technology and local-based incubators.
As for technology-based incubators promoted by the Regional Government, Go-On is already in full operation at the Nonagon - São Miguel Science and Technology Park and the installation of the incubator of Terinov - Terceira Science and Technology Park is already in progress.
Technology-based incubators will also be created at the future Maritime School on the island of Faial as well as the Santa Maria Business Development and Innovation Centre; both investments are under way.
The Azores Craft Lab, handicraft incubator, is already operating at the Regional Centre for Handicrafts on the island of São Miguel. It has already supported the physical installation of incubated companies and the virtual installation of companies on other islands.
With regard to local-based incubators, mostly initiatives of City Councils, there are projects at an advanced stage of implementation that will join Praia Links and Startup Angra on Terceira.
In 2019, the Regional Government will continue with several measures aimed at promoting a regional ecosystem to support entrepreneurship in coordination with local powers and in partnership with other entities and business centres. These measures fall within the strategy to boost the Region's economic activity and support the emergence of new companies in sectors considered strategic for the development of the Region.
Besides the incentives available under Competir +, the Azores Business Incubator Voucher for startups in the Azores Business Incubator Network and the Regional Entrepreneurship Competition, among other actions, the Vice-Presidency of the Government will hold through SDEA - Society for Business Development of the Azores, the 2nd Meeting of RIEA Incubators.