Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation Strengthens Ties with Católica-Lisbon and Start CPLP to Boost Innovation in Macao
Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation Strengthens Ties with Católica-Lisbon and Start CPLP to Boost Innovation in Macao
21
Jan
21/01/2026
Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation Professor Alexandre Lobo’s recent engagements in Portugal aim to strengthen collaboration of USJ’s Macao Spin Incubator with Católica-Lisbon and Start CPLP, enhancing innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives for Macao.
Professor Alexandre Lobo, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) Macao and President of the Board of Directors at Macau Spin Incubator, led a series of engagements across Portugal in the last two months. These efforts aim to enhance international collaboration in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
During his visit, Professor Lobo met with key partners at the Católica-Lisbon Entrepreneurship Center (CLEC) in Lisbon, where he engaged in a dynamic exchange of ideas surrounding entrepreneurship, innovation ecosystems, and future collaboration opportunities between academic institutions and startups. The discussions aimed to strengthen the links between Macau Spin Incubation initiatives and Portugal’s vibrant entrepreneurial landscape. As a first initiative, startups selected in the acceleration programme from the CLEC of Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP) will be introduced to the Macao-Hong Kong-GBA ecosystem and exchange ideas will be explored.
In addition to this meeting, Professor Lobo celebrates the momentum built over the past two years and highlights the concrete agenda now defined between USJ’s Macau Spin Incubator and Start CPLP of the Confederação Empresarial da Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa (CE – CPLP), with a strong foundation laid for the coming semesters, signalling new steps toward expanding the reach of innovation and startup support within the Lusophone space and Macao. The first cohort of companies from Start CPLP is set to join the Macau Spin Incubation Programme this semester, with another visit to Macao planned for March 2026, coinciding with the Macao International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (MIECF).
These engagements are part of a broader strategy to connect Macao’s innovation ecosystem with leading European partners, fostering cross-border research collaboration, entrepreneurial exchange, and strategic networks that bridge Asia and Europe. Professor Lobo’s visits exemplify a proactive approach to building meaningful partnerships that benefit students, researchers, and startups across regions.
