Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs

A Launchpad for Portuguese Founders to Go Global

In Portugal’s vibrant, ever-evolving startup landscape, the difference between an idea and a thriving business often comes down to experience, network, and confidence. That’s exactly where Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs steps in — an EU-funded programme that offers aspiring Portuguese founders the opportunity to learn directly from seasoned business owners in other European ecosystems, expand their horizons, and accelerate their entrepreneurial journey. (Overview)

At its core, the programme pairs you — a motivated New Entrepreneur (NE) — with an established Host Entrepreneur (HE) for a period of exchange in another participating country. It’s more than just travel: it’s an immersive mentorship experience backed by EU financial support and practical guidance, designed to deepen your business understanding, broaden your global outlook, and build meaningful cross-border networks.

Why This Matters for Portuguese Founders

Portugal’s startup ecosystem is buzzing — from Lisbon and Porto to Braga and beyond — but connecting with seasoned operators and international markets can still be a challenge. Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs bridges that gap by placing you shoulder-to-shoulder with experienced entrepreneurs abroad, letting you learn by doing rather than reading. You gain hands-on skills in areas such as operations, marketing, product development, client acquisition, financing, and more — all while living and working in a new cultural context.

And the support is real: NEs receive a monthly EU grant to help cover travel and living costs during the exchange. That means you can focus on growth, not financial stress.

Real Success Stories — Portuguese Entrepreneurs Who Took the Leap

There’s no better testimony than lived experience. Over recent years, Portuguese entrepreneurs have embraced Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs with inspiring results:

• David Nabeiro, 23, co-founder of NovaGate Solutions, developed international consulting expertise while working with a software engineering host — sharpening both his technical and business acumen. (Success Story - David Nabeiro)

• Humberto Bastos, 20, developer of an app focussed on supporting elderly people to combat loneliness, benefited from the sage advice of his US-based Host Tom Paprocki. (Success Story – Humberto Bastos)

• Nuno Cunha, founder at Aavanz in Lisbon, hosted and collaborated with an exchange entrepreneur from Turkey, enriching his local operation with fresh perspectives and cross-cultural workflows. (Success Story - Nuno Cunha)

• Richard Brook, at Moinhos Velhos Yoga Detox Center, mentored a health-and-wellness specialist from Spain, strengthening offerings and discovering new customer niches thanks to the exchange. (Success Story - Richard Brook)

• Filipa Cabrita’s work with a visiting architect allowed both host and NE to enhance sustainable construction practices and prototyping methods — a brilliant example of practical skills exchange. (Success Story - Filipa Cabrita)

• Portuguese NE Pedro Pereira, aged 25 and active in international relocation services, leveraged the programme to deepen his global business insight — building both competence and confidence. (Success Story - Pedro Pereira)

• Video testimonial from Lisbon-based host in the fashion textile sector.

• Video testimonial from Portuguese New Entrepreneur from the fitness / nutrition sector who participated in an exchange in Singapore.

These stories reflect a powerful theme: when you step into new contexts with guidance and structure, your entrepreneurial trajectory can fundamentally shift.

How to Get Started

If you’re a Portuguese founder or soon-to-be founder with ambition and curiosity, now is the time to take action. The British-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce (BPCC) is the Intermediary Organisation supporting Portuguese participants — helping you register, apply, and match with an appropriate Host Entrepreneur.

To kickstart your EYE journey:

Register with BPCC as your nominated Intermediary Organisation
Contact Chris Barton at [email protected] for details, eligibility guidance, and support throughout the application process.

Whether your focus is tech, sustainability, wellness, architecture, design, or any other field, Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs gives you access to the insights and networks that successful founders often pay years (and thousands of euros) to acquire.