Growth of New Business in Portugal

Dec. 17, 2008 - PRLog -- About ten years ago, the Portuguese government sought to make investment in Portuguese businesses an easier process.  This helped increase foreign investment drastically, from the equivalent of under 1 billion euros per year in the late 80’s, to over 14 billion euros annually in the early 2000’s. Looking to stay competitive with other European markets in the long term, local entrepreneurs have caught onto the trends of angel investment, with the European Business Angel Network (EBAN) reporting on the amount of business deals in Portugal coming close to the amount in neighbouring Spain, which has a much larger population.

Still, the market here is young.  The venture capital market is considered quite small, and carried partially by the local government’s recent programmes to incentivise this.  Looking at ways to encourage venture funding and outside investment has stimulated activity to some extent.  However, the biggest flaw in the current market is that entrepreneurs here are somewhat isolated.  Most entrepreneurs have trouble finding investors within the country, but many new sites are looking to make this connection a lot easier.

The Angel Investment Network operates globally in over 20 markets, and has recently opened a branch in Portugal at www.ainportugal.com.  In the past year alone, hundreds of local entrepreneurs have joined the network in Portugal, allowing them the chance to connect with thousands of potential investors both within Portugal and internationally.  This has increased the chances of them successfully obtaining the capital needed to expand or launch their business.

Investors and entrepreneurs continue to join the site on a daily basis, opening up channels previously unavailable to both sides.  Business angels in Portugal can find the right type of business to invest in, and use their knowledge of the sector to help entrepreneurs understand how they can not only make the most of the available investment, but turn a long term profit.  

More information is available at http://www.ainportugal.com

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The Angel Investment Network currently includes a wide range of International investors looking for investment opportunities, along with entrepreneurs in Portugal looking to get their business off the ground.