INOVAZORES - (G)LOCAL INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM

(g)local ecosystem

It's with great pleasure that we bring you a vision for a truly unique territory, brimming with potential: the islands of Faial, Pico, and São Jorge, our Azorean Triangle. Strategically located in the Atlantic, with our headquarters in Horta, these islands are not just a geographical cluster but a dynamic ecosystem of opportunities for developing innovative projects.

The islands of Faial, Pico, and São Jorge (in the Azores, one of the nine Outermost Regions of Europe) whilst distinct in their characteristics, share a geographical proximity and an interconnectedness that makes them a fertile environment for collaboration and growth.

Together, these islands represent:

3 vibrant islands;
6 Municipalities with their own autonomies and local development priorities and policies;
Around 35,000 inhabitants – a population with the potential to absorb and generate innovation;
A diverse business and organisational ecosystem, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), associations, cooperatives, civil society and public institutions.

The proximity between these islands, combined with their individual characteristics, creates synergies that translate into unique potentialities for project development:

Natural Laboratory for Sustainability: With volcanic landscapes, rich marine and terrestrial biodiversity, and a strong connection to nature, the Triangle is ideal for projects in renewable energy, circular economy, sustainable tourism, environmental conservation, and organic farming.
Blue Innovation Hub: The strong link to the sea (fishing, mariculture, nautical tourism, whale watching) offers fertile ground for projects in marine biotechnology, new fishing technologies, oceanographic research, and seafood product development.
Smart and Experiential Tourism Destination: The diversity of landscapes and activities allows for the development of integrated and innovative tourism offerings, focusing on the digitisation of the visitor experience, inter-island thematic routes, and valorisation of cultural and natural heritage.
Opportunities in the Primary Sector and Agri-Food Industry: The agricultural and livestock tradition, notably cheese and wine production, opens doors for innovation in food processing, quality certification, valorisation of local products, and export.
Technology and Connectivity: The growing digital infrastructure and the need for process optimisation on the islands create space for projects involving the digitisation of public and private services, development of online platforms, and technological solutions for traditional sectors.
Culture and Creative Industries: The rich history, distinct local traditions, vibrant artistic communities, and unique tangible/intangible heritage of each island provide a powerful foundation for cultural projects, including digital content creation, traditional crafts revitalisation, cultural tourism experiences, and artistic collaborations.
Human Capital and Quality of Life: Despite their size, the islands attract and retain talent, offering a high quality of life that fosters creativity and focus for project development.

Our company is positioned to help transform this potential into concrete projects.

The opportunities span various areas:

Environment and Biodiversity: Conservation projects, ecosystem studies, development of waste management solutions, and clean energies.
Tourism and Heritage: Creation of inter-island thematic tourist routes, digitisation of tourism offerings, valorisation of natural and built heritage.
Blue Economy: Research into marine resources, development of sustainable aquaculture, technologies for fishing, and oceanic monitoring.
Agriculture and Food: Innovation in production methods, valorisation of endogenous products, certification, and promotion of local brands.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT): Development of applications, digital platforms, solutions for telemedicine, distance learning, and remote work.
Culture and Creative Industries: Projects focused on digital archives of local heritage, development of cultural events and festivals, promotion of local artists and artisans, creative tourism, and the creation of new cultural products.
Social Economy and Inclusion: Projects aimed at improving the population's quality of life, social and digital inclusion, and community development.

Our Role: Empowering the Triangle

Our company acts as a catalyst, linking existing innovative ideas within the Triangle with funding opportunities, whether regional, national, or European. We help to:

Identify local needs and challenges and transform them into project ideas.
Build strategic partnerships between entities across the three islands and with external partners.
Prepare robust and competitive applications that secure funds for the region.
Manage projects, ensuring their efficient implementation and objective achievement.

The Azorean Triangle is more than just a group of islands; it's a living laboratory of development, where proximity and diversity create fertile ground for innovation. We are here to help reap the fruits of this potential.

A picturesque coastal scene featuring a snow-capped Pico Mountain majestically dominating the background under a bright sky. In the midground, on the shoreline, there's a traditional white building with a red-tiled roof and a prominent chimney, suggestive of an old factory or industrial building, nestled amongst green hills. The foreground shows the dark blue, rippling ocean with jagged dark rocks protruding from the water.

A wide landscape view of rolling, bright green hills covered in lush grass, with a thick layer of white fog or low clouds filling a valley or caldera in the distance. The sky above is overcast with grey clouds, creating a dramatic and moody atmosphere.

A vibrant red wooden walkway with matching railings leads to a distinctive red, two-story building with a pointed roof. The walkway passes through a landscape of low green vegetation surrounded by dark stone walls, indicative of vineyards. In the background, under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds, are green trees and distant hills.

A wide panoramic view of a large, conical island mountain (Pico Mountain) rising from the sea under a pale blue and pink twilight sky. In the foreground, a rustic wooden fence runs horizontally across a grassy hillside. Below the mountain, the coastline of what appears to be another island (Faial) is visible with some small towns and green landscapes. A faint moon is visible in the sky above the distant mountain.

A dramatic sunset over a coastal landscape. The sun, a bright orange orb, is low on the horizon, casting a vibrant glow that illuminates the underside of dark, heavy clouds with streaks of fiery orange and red. In the foreground, there's green grass and a calm body of water reflecting the sky, possibly a lagoon or inlet. On the right, a dark silhouette of land or hills meets the water.

A silhouette of a person wearing a helmet and riding a mountain bike on a rugged clifftop at sunset. The bright orange sun is low on the horizon over a vast ocean with crashing waves, creating a strong backlight that highlights the rider and bike against the vibrant sky. Distant hills are visible in the background.

A traditional red and white wooden rowing boat with three people onboard floating on calm, deep blue ocean water under a clear blue sky. One person at the front is leaning over, possibly working with something in the water, while another is holding an oar. A small white buoy is visible floating in the distance to the right.

The dark, powerful flukes (tail) of a large whale, likely a sperm whale, are seen prominently above the surface of deep blue, slightly choppy ocean water, creating splashes as it descends. In the background, a green, rolling hillside with scattered white buildings extends towards a clear blue sky.

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(g)local ecosystem

The islands of Faial, Pico, and São Jorge (in the Azores, one of the nine Outermost Regions of Europe) whilst distinct in their characteristics, share a geographical proximity and an interconnectedness that makes them a fertile environment for collaboration and growth.

Together, these islands represent:

3 vibrant islands;

6 Municipalities with their own autonomies and local development priorities and policies;

Around 35,000 inhabitants – a population with the potential to absorb and generate innovation;

A diverse business and organisational ecosystem, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), associations, cooperatives, civil society and public institutions.

The proximity between these islands, combined with their individual characteristics, creates synergies that translate into unique potentialities for project development:

Natural Laboratory for Sustainability: With volcanic landscapes, rich marine and terrestrial biodiversity, and a strong connection to nature, the Triangle is ideal for projects in renewable energy, circular economy, sustainable tourism, environmental conservation, and organic farming.

Blue Innovation Hub: The strong link to the sea (fishing, mariculture, nautical tourism, whale watching) offers fertile ground for projects in marine biotechnology, new fishing technologies, oceanographic research, and seafood product development.

Smart and Experiential Tourism Destination: The diversity of landscapes and activities allows for the development of integrated and innovative tourism offerings, focusing on the digitisation of the visitor experience, inter-island thematic routes, and valorisation of cultural and natural heritage.

Opportunities in the Primary Sector and Agri-Food Industry: The agricultural and livestock tradition, notably cheese and wine production, opens doors for innovation in food processing, quality certification, valorisation of local products, and export.

Technology and Connectivity: The growing digital infrastructure and the need for process optimisation on the islands create space for projects involving the digitisation of public and private services, development of online platforms, and technological solutions for traditional sectors.

Human Capital and Quality of Life: Despite their size, the islands attract and retain talent, offering a high quality of life that fosters creativity and focus for project development.

Our company is positioned to help transform this potential into concrete projects.

The opportunities span various areas:

Environment and Biodiversity: Conservation projects, ecosystem studies, development of waste management solutions, and clean energies.

Tourism and Heritage: Creation of inter-island thematic tourist routes, digitisation of tourism offerings, valorisation of natural and built heritage.

Blue Economy: Research into marine resources, development of sustainable aquaculture, technologies for fishing, and oceanic monitoring.

Agriculture and Food: Innovation in production methods, valorisation of endogenous products, certification, and promotion of local brands.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT): Development of applications, digital platforms, solutions for telemedicine, distance learning, and remote work.

Culture and Creative Industries: Projects focused on digital archives of local heritage, development of cultural events and festivals, promotion of local artists and artisans, creative tourism, and the creation of new cultural products.

Social Economy and Inclusion: Projects aimed at improving the population's quality of life, social and digital inclusion, and community development.

Our Role: Empowering the Triangle

Our company acts as a catalyst, linking existing innovative ideas within the Triangle with funding opportunities, whether regional, national, or European. We help to:

Identify local needs and challenges and transform them into project ideas.

Build strategic partnerships between entities across the three islands and with external partners.

Prepare robust and competitive applications that secure funds for the region.

Manage projects, ensuring their efficient implementation and objective achievement.

The Azorean Triangle is more than just a group of islands; it's a living laboratory of development, where proximity and diversity create fertile ground for innovation. We are here to help reap the fruits of this potential.