Silicon Valley learns from Porto's entrepreneurial ecosystem

Silicon Valley's most entrepreneurial students (USA) visited the University of Porto (U.P) for an entire week and had the chance of getting to know innovative projects being developed at U.Porto, from 8 to 14 July.

This initiative was held in the context of the "Leadership Week", and more than 70 participants, previously selected by the Sutardja Center of UC Berkeley, took part in workshops, visits, and classes focusing on leadership and entrepreneurship.

"U.Porto is one of the most prestigious Universities in Europe. Not least thanks to the work developed by the University, in the fields of research and innovation, and also the entrepreneurial spirit embedded in the city of Porto, the city that is acknowledged as the "friendliest startup city". It is this connection between the city and the University that attracts more and more delegations like the one from Silicon Valley", states Helder Vasconcelos, Vice-Rector for Relations with Companies, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

During the "Leardership Week", participants had the opportunity to visit the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto (FCUP), the faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), UPTEC and Porto Business School.

"Every year, Berkeley brings the best talents regarding entrepreneurship to Europe. They arrive from Silicon Valley to learn how to innovate and to cooperate with students from all over the world. This year, we have chosen Portugal, more specifically Porto precisely because it is recognised as one of the most entrepreneurial and innovative European ecosystems. And we were not disappointed! Our team is largely impressed by the balance between new technologies and history, modernity and tradition we found in Porto. The University of Porto was a great host and after spending a week here we bid farewell with "saudade" in our hearts", stresses Ken Singer, Director of Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology of UC Berkeley.