Over 20 years, the EIF has played its part in Portugal’s vibrant economy by supporting 56,000+ Portuguese SMEs through equity, guarantees, and partnerships with government and regional authorities.
Key initiatives include Portugal Tech with Banco Português de Fomento (BPF), boosting venture capital for early-stage ICT companies, and InvestEU-backed guarantees with Portuguese banks, mobilising financing for sustainable, innovative, and digital projects. These tools strengthen entrepreneurship and access to finance across Portugal’s dynamic SME sector.
“When I got the chance to apply for the course, I didn’t think twice,” says Vânia Costa, who had been unemployed for a year before deciding to retrain in IT. After completing a 6-month intensive software development programme at Academia de Código, she landed a job in a major Portuguese company. Her training was made possible through a deferred tuition payment plan supported by the European Union and backed by the European Investment Fund (EIF), which enabled her to shift careers and regain her professional footing.