Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the cork industry

Amorim Cork Ventures (ACV) has been established with the purpose of supporting entrepreneurs and startups launch their projects and businesses while exploring innovative ideas and solutions for cork. 

"Setting up Amorim Cork Ventures is a natural step in the ongoing evolution of Corticeira Amorim that, as a world leader, is in a specially privileged position to support entrepreneurs who want to join our Company in its mission to add value to cork."
António Rios de Amorim

The mission of the newest company in Corticeira Amorim group is to promote the development of new cork products and cork-related businesses, mainly aiming for foreign markets.

"Our challenge is to come up with new approaches to natural cork or combining it with other materials."

For more information, please visit us at www.amorimcorkventures.com. 

Targets and scope of action

Entrepreneurs:

• With a concept / business idea with cork – who, at an early stage, may need support and conditions to develop prototypes and elaborate a business plan;
• With a new cork product and a business mode/plan proposal;
• Small existing businesses, with a growth potential, i.e. established companies with innovative cork products and business, looking for a partner like Amorim Cork Ventures to help speed up the growth process and increase sales; 

Apart from the financial support, Amorim Cork Ventures may provide skill and know-how of its employees and its network which result in a set of privileged conditions for the development of the concept.

Operating Mode

Applications may be submitted at any moment. However, official calls for applications will take place in certain periods, which will be adequately announced by ACV. In these periods, the evaluation and selection of applications will occur in pre-established timings. After an initial screening process, the calls include a pre-acceleration program, offered by ACV, where entrepreneurial skills will be developed. At the end of that program, teams may be offered access to Amorim Cork Ventures’ incubator, where physical (offices) and technical conditions are found. The goal at this stage is to build prototypes and develop the business plan, with the help of Corticeira Amorim’s know-how and competences, if necessary.

Application

Applications must be submitted at www.amorimcorkventures.com.