Success stories

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New entrepreneur:
Marisa Silva (Portugal)
Age: 22
Company name: Espaço Sustentável (Start-up)
Sector of activity: Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
IO: Inovamais - Serviçios de Consultadoria em Inovação Tecnológica, S.A. (Matosinhos)

This programme is a great opportunity to exchange information and explore new concepts. Entrepreneurs acquire greater practical understanding of company management and, above all, they experience the entrepreneurship in a real working context.

Host entrepreneur:
Xavier Vilalta (Spain)

Company name: Xavier Vilalta Studio (5 years of experience)
Sector of activity: Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services IO: Cambra Oficial de Commerç i Industria de Terrassa (Terrassa)

This experience has been unique in many respects. Marisa reconciled both fresh external ideas and inside know-how, bringing new enlightening perspectives to the company.

Period of exchange: 08/2009 until 09/2009
Duration of exchange: one month

In September 2009, Marisa Silva left her Portuguese hometown to spend one month in Barcelona where she was received by Spanish architect and entrepreneur Xavier Vilalta. Both host and new entrepreneurs head companies managed architectural, construction and engineering projects. At the time of the exchange, Marisa was hoping to be paired up with an experienced entrepreneur, interested in sustainable development and in the use of new energy efficient construction materials.

On site, Marisa helped managing a portfolio, worked with an advertising software and participated in the assessment of the quality and efficiency of the services provided. Upon her arrival, Marisa immediately joined Xavier’s study team. She helped him contact new businesses and read up architectural press publications. Marisa equally translated Xavier’s portfolio into Portuguese.

The new entrepreneur learned about current architectural trends and how to adopt new marketing strategies, while simultaneously deepening her understanding of human resources management. As for Xavier, the architect was deeply impressed by Marisa’s fresh innovative ideas, which he believed would bring added value to his business.

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