“Try to evolve into innovative ideas. Farmers are very important, but you should try to turn their mindsets into business people...that's definitely what will change the landscape of the food industry and will bring it more innovation and more sustainability.” 

- Joaquim Macedo de Sousa

 

Episode Description:

The Habitat for Business Innovation in Strategic Sectors (HIESE) serves as an innovation space that promotes entrepreneurship in rural areas. Launched in 2016, this business incubation facility in Quinta Vale do Espinhal, Penela, Portugal has 15 offices that accommodate companies in the critical early stages of their business. HIESE offers various services including physical and virtual incubation and acceleration programs, internationalization, training, and business planning.  

 

Business incubation is a process employed to help start-ups innovate and accelerate their growth. Learn more about this and other business development programs on this episode as Justine talks with Joaquim Macedo de Sousa, Executive Director of Rural Smart HIESE.  Joaquim shares the idea behind incubation and why it is especially needed in rural areas.  Justine and Joaquim also discuss how HIESE can help you turn your ideas into a successful business, how much it costs, how to apply (and get accepted) and more!  Entrepreneurs have a unique “DNA” that makes them distinct, and also capable of creating impact in a shorter period of time. The key is to continuously develop and make that impact sustainable. Failing is an expensive lesson, so before you launch, tune in and learn how you can turn hurdles into golden opportunities! 

Connect with Joaquim Macedo de Sousa: 

Born in 1978 in Braga, Joaquim lives in Coimbra, is married and has four children.

He  is  currently  the Executive  Director  of  HIESE  Habitat  for  Business  Innovation  in  the Strategic Sectors, a business incubator focused on entrepreneurship and innovation in rural  areas,  resulting  from  a  partnership  between  IPN Incubator

and  the  Municipality of Penela.  He  is  also a Professor  of  Entrepreneurship  and  Management  at  the  Coimbra Institute  of  Engineering.  As  an  entrepreneur, Joaquim  was the co-founder  of  several companies related to the food sector (technologies, agriculture and aquaculture).

 

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Episode Highlights:

01:14 Rural Incubation

05:02 What Makes Entrepreneurs Unique 

11:20 From Problem to Opportunity 

15:03 What is a Business Incubator? 

22:40 Geared Towards Sustainable Innovation