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Spin-off from INESC Porto and FEUP is case study in the UK

Tomorrow Options, a spin-off from INESC Porto and from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), is the subject of a case study carried out by the UK Trade Investment (UKTI), which will be published soon. This study is the result of Tomorrow Options’ entry in the British market.

13th July 2009

UKTI is a government organisation located in London that supplies support services to foreign companies trying to invest or expand their business to the United Kingdom, facilitating the entry and establishment of the companies in British territory.

As a consequence of this entry in the British market, Tomorrow Options was selected to integrate the initiative “Devices for Dignity”, a case study that includes clinicians, patients, researchers and industries that focus on matters regarding the design, development and assessment of medical devices used to improve the quality of provided healthcare, as well as the well-being patients suffering from long-term illnesses. This initiative is being supported by the Universities of Cambridge, Coventry and Sheffield.

According to Paulo Ferreira dos Santos, CEO of Tomorrow Options, “the support we have received in the UK has been fantastic and exceeded our expectations. The ‘Devices for Dignity’ programme is an excellent initiative and we are excited for being part of this pilot project developed by the British National Health Service (NHS)”.

The choice of the UK for the establishment of a branch office abroad had to do with the fact that this area is, according to the company, the one that provides the best conditions for the development of technological start-ups. At the same time, “we knew that there was a clear need for a product such as ours, and we knew that the NHS was interested in new and affordable technologies that could help patients suffering from long-term illnesses”, Paulo Ferreira dos Santos states.

It is also important to highlight the interview that the British Ambassador in Portugal gave to the MIETE blog, following the "Best Investor Award" that was granted to Tomorrow Options by UKTI. In this interview, the Ambassador states that “it was an honour to award a project such as Tomorrow Options, a wonderful example of innovation and entrepreneurship, which has guaranteed them the support of every department and organisation in the UK promoting new investment projects”.

Tomorrow Options’ success abroad is yet another confirmation of the quality of business incubation carried out by INESC Porto’s Innovation and Technology Transfer Unit (UITT).

BIP,  June 2009