Softinsa, an IBM subsidiary, creates an Innovation and Technology Center in Vila Real

Vila Real, June 23, 2022 – Today, June 23, took place the signing ceremony of the cooperation protocol between the Municipality of Vila Real, Regia Douro Park, the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro ( UTAD), IBM Portugal and Softinsa for the creation of an Innovation and Technology Center in the city of Vila Real.

It is a technological partnership aimed at the development of information technologies in the region, with a focus on the area of ​​Smart Cities, and which will allow the creation of qualified jobs.

With its full implementation, up to 300 jobs could be created by 2025.

The new centre, managed by Softinsa and an integral part of the group’s network of centers in Portugal with a presence in Tomar, Viseu, Fundão and Portalegre, is expected to open later this year. In a first phase, the activity will be developed at the Regia Douro Park and also on the UTAD campus, enhancing synergies between the academic world and the business world.

The protocol signing session was held in the auditorium of the Regia Douro Park and included the interventions of the Mayor of Vila Real, Rui Santos, the President of Regia Douro Park, Nuno Augusto, the Rector of the University of Trás-os- Montes e Alto Douro, Emídio Gomes, the President of IBM Portugal, Ricardo Martinho, and the General Director of Softinsa, Henrique Mourisca.

The Mayor of Vila Real, Rui Santos, states that “The Municipality of Vila Real, in addition to all its other competences, has worked hard on the economic development of the territory. Over the last few years, there have been countless examples of attracting investment, demonstrating Vila Real as an attractive, dynamic territory, capable of generating employment and opportunities. The agreement now signed with IBM and Softinsa, with UTAD and Regia Douro Park is another important step in this direction. If all investments are relevant, those made in partnership with global brands end up validating the strategy that has been followed, to increase the notoriety of our county. It is a successful path that we want to continue to follow with regional partners, ensuring a better future for the region.”

For the President of Regia Douro Park, Nuno Augusto, “It is with great pride that we celebrate this partnership agreement with Softinsa and IBM Portugal. The Regia Douro Park has, in recent years, supported the consolidation of new projects in the territory, trying to assume itself as a strong engine of regional development. The constant search for new partners has resulted in not only quantitative but also qualitative growth in our projects. The creation of this Innovation Center in Vila Real is essential for the consolidation of our development strategy, significantly increasing the capacity to retain talent associated with producing the best knowledge of UTAD and also allowing the return of some of the best staff. It is a privilege to share this news that makes us believe in the sustainability of our project for Vila Real.”

The Rector of UTAD, Emídio Gomes, considers that “The agreement signed between UTAD and Softinsa and IBM represents another important step in the consolidation of the path traced by the University, aiming to bring academia closer to the reality of the productive fabric and promoting the qualification of employment in the nearest territorial environment. In addition to bringing young people to study at UTAD, we will do everything possible to promote and support their future stay, as the main way to ensure the population’s rejuvenation: with more jobs and qualifications, we will naturally have a better future.”

IBM President Ricardo Martinho says: “This is another very important investment that reinforces the IBM group’s commitment to our country through decentralization and allows us to increase our team with new talents and key skills to strengthen collaboration with our clients in their innovation and digital transformation projects, taking advantage of technologies such as hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence, in addition to our excellent consulting services. This centre, Softinsa’s 5th in Portugal, will network with other international centres, taking advantage of very important synergies and serving customers in Portugal and abroad.”

For Softinsa’s General Director, Henrique Mourisca, “We are very proud to celebrate the partnership between Softinsa and IBM Portugal with the Municipality of Vila Real, Regia Douro Park and the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro to the creation of an innovation and technology center. The innovation ecosystem that we found made a clear difference, as well as the involvement, the tireless effort, the commitment and the vision that we feel on the part of the municipal institutions, which gives us the confidence and certainty that this new center will be another reference. of Softinsa’s success in Portugal.”