The Brigantia Ecopark Development Association is a private, non-profit association, which aims to promote, launch and manage the Brigantia Ecopark - Science and Technology Park. Brigantia Ecopark aims to contribute to the economic development of its region by attracting and supporting technology companies, research centres and higher education institutions.
Based in the municipality of Bragança (Portugal), its founding members include:
Municipality of Bragança;
the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB);
Vila Real City Council;
University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD); Association of the Science and Technology Park of Porto - PortusPark.
The Brigantia Ecopark serves as a science and technology centre that supports both start-up and early-stage technology-based companies, encouraging entrepreneurship in various sectors. It provides laboratory space for research, development and innovation.
The park's strategy aligns with the latest national and international policies and directives related to economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Brigantia Ecopark is designed to specifically host companies using green technologies, especially in areas such as the environment, eco-energy, eco-construction, products related to the regional economy and those associated with cultural entrepreneurship.
The target audience of Brigantia Ecopark includes predominantly companies, institutions and entrepreneurs from various regions, both national and international, especially from cross-border regions.
As an active participant in partnerships, Brigantia Ecopark benefits from its proximity to Spain, in particular the Castilla y León region. It is integrated into national and international networks and maintains close relations with technology companies, participating in projects on the information and knowledge society.
The central building of the Brigantia Ecopark is a three-storey multi-purpose building with different areas:
⦁ Research and development area and specialised services area; ⦁ Coworking space;
⦁ 51 spaces for small (incubation) and large (consolidated) businesses; ⦁ 23 spaces for laboratories;
⦁ Park management and support services area.
Brigantia Ecopark is described as "a project for the region, specialising in the fields of environment, energy and eco-construction, of national importance with international intervention capacity".
The park employs around 400 people in 80 companies, including the MORE - Montanhas de Investigação collaborative laboratory, the National Centre of Competence for Dried Fruit (CNCFS) and the State Secretariat for Regional Development, representing an employment rate of 97.10%.
Support from the Entrepreneurship Support Office, under the EMPREENDE XXI measure, helped 72 projects involving 96 promoters in 2023. The expected average investment is €5.5 million, with the potential to create 130 jobs in 2024.
The park has a ratio of over 94.21% for skilled and highly skilled jobs (≥ bachelor's degree), 75.42% of which have a direct link with the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB - 70.34%) and the University of Trás-os-Montes (UTAD - 5.08%). It is worth noting that companies in the park generate a turnover of over €30 million and employee remuneration of over €7 million per year.
Associação para o Desenvolvimento do BRIGANTIA ECOPARK.
Address: Avenida Cidade de León, n.º 506 – 5300-358 Bragança, PORTUGAL
https://www.brigantia-ecopark.pt
