The INOVA Quality Hub, an incubator promoted by the Portuguese Quality Institute (IPQ), celebrates its second anniversary on November 14, 2026. The celebrations began on November 13, bringing together entrepreneurs, startups, mentors, partners, and professionals involved in the project.
Over these two years, the incubator has already supported 50 projects and has been expanding its intervention within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through capacity-building initiatives, knowledge sharing, and the promotion of Quality, the INOVA Quality Hub has organized conferences, acceleration programs, bootcamps, and training sessions, connecting startups, SMEs, specialists, and reference entities.
The incubator's development has been accompanied by the strengthening of its partner network and increasing connections with the Quality, entrepreneurship, and innovation ecosystems. Integration into RNi – Portugal Incubators, the National Network of Incubators managed by Startup Portugal, and qualification under the StartUP Visa program are significant milestones that add an international dimension to its activities.
The integration of Quality from the early stages of business development is a central line of action for the INOVA Quality Hub. In this context, the Portuguese Standard NP 4595 «Approach to Quality and Innovation Management in Startups – Requirements and Guidelines», published by the IPQ in December 2024, is particularly relevant, aiming to support startups in systematically applying Quality and innovation in their management models.
Monitoring challenges associated with Artificial Intelligence is another area the INOVA Quality Hub intends to develop, enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem's awareness and capacity for responsible and trustworthy adoption of these technologies, in line with the European AI Act.
The INOVA Quality Hub aims to continue developing its community and mentor network, deepen collaboration with partners, and bring Quality instruments and knowledge closer to the concrete needs of startups and SMEs, contributing to innovation translating into consistent, trust-building, and value-generating solutions.
