15-06-2026 - 15:56
Great research does not reach impact by staying inside the lab.
It needs to be tested, questioned, challenged, and brought closer to the people, markets, and real-world needs it aims to serve.
That is the purpose of TechLaunch 2026, a hands-on entrepreneurship program designed to help research-based teams explore the market potential of science- and technology-based solutions.
The 2026 edition is developed under the UT Austin Portugal Program in collaboration with ANI – Agência Nacional de Inovação, S.A. and funded by Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) and European Union’s NextGenerationEU program, within Component C16 – Digital Transition, Investment C16-i03.02.
Submissions open until June 19, 2026
What selected teams will do
Over the course of the program, selected teams will be guided through a structured process inspired by the NSF I-Corps™ model, including:
For a quick overview of the announcement, please visit the Program’s website.
What can TechLaunch support?
The 2026 edition includes an enhanced support structure for selected teams.
Teams may benefit from an indicative budget to support approved eligible expenses related to customer discovery, validation activities, prototyping, and participation in the program’s immersive components.
This support is not direct funding and does not constitute a fixed allocation or entitlement. It is managed through approved eligible expenses, in line with the program rules and applicable funding requirements.
Who should consider participating?
TechLaunch is designed for researchers, Ph.D. students, faculty members, innovation-driven professionals, and early-stage teams based in Portugal who are working on deep tech ideas with potential for real-world impact.
It is particularly relevant for teams that want to better understand whether their technology addresses a real market need and how it could be positioned beyond the research environment.
