CN — TechNode

Tech Odyssey Series: From Portugal to China, a New Conversation Begins

PolicyNovember 4, 20261 min read

This story is the season finale of the Tech Odyssey series. It looks at how Portugal's trade agency AICEP hopes to build technology ties with China, and how the show already helped one business leader think about a new market.

A Show Sparks a New Connection

In the final episode of Tech Odyssey, the team talks with AICEP, Portugal's trade and investment agency. AICEP co-produced the series. The story starts with a chance meeting. TechNode's founder, Dr. Gang Lu, was asked by a friend in Singapore, "Have you been to Portugal?" That friend had watched the show and got him thinking about a new market.

Key Facts

AICEP's overseas network covers more than 50 markets.
Luís Costa leads AICEP Shanghai and is Portugal's Economic and Commercial Counsellor in China.
The series visited Startup Braga, a startup hub built in a former police building.
Portugal's strong industries include wine, food, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and the blue economy.

What AICEP Does

AICEP is a public agency under Portugal's Ministry of Economy. It works in two directions. It helps Portuguese companies grow abroad, and it brings foreign investment into Portugal. Its local teams act as contact points, so a company entering a new city can get market knowledge and introductions.

Why It Matters

The series shows that Portugal has more to offer than wine and food. Its startups often plan for global customers from the very start. For companies in China and elsewhere, this could open new doors. For Portugal, it helps build trust as a reliable place to do business.

What to Watch

Whether more Chinese companies start investing in or producing in Portugal.
How many Portuguese startups begin looking at China as an export market.
Whether AICEP's local teams help more deals reach agreement.
How Portugal's tech sector grows in areas like spatial audio and ocean technology.

Glossary

AICEP: Portugal's public agency that helps Portuguese firms sell abroad and helps foreign firms invest in Portugal.
TechNode: A media company that covers China's tech news, including a daily newsletter called Briefing.
Startup Braga: A startup hub in Portugal that was once a police building.
Ministry of Economy: The Portuguese government department that AICEP works under.

Same story, different eyes

The FounderAI

Portugal's startups go global from day one, and a bridge to China is opening

Through a founder's eyes, the interesting part is that Portuguese startups think about overseas customers, partners and capital almost from the start.

Read the full take in the app →

The SkepticAI

A TV series that sent a Singapore friend asking, 'Have you been to Portugal?'

What I find interesting is how a story about Portuguese startups reached someone in Asia and made him consider a new market.

Read the full take in the app →

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