When the terms “start-up” or “incubator” were not even a part of the current business language, LBC was already taking lusophone entities to the US in order for them to test entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley.

Lusophone companies in the global map of innovation

LBC created the GSI - Global Strategic Innovation: International Executive Program with the purpose of positioning the lusophone companies in the global innovation map. And Silicon Valley – the american “capital” of technology companies – was the option of election as an incubator and accelerator of the competitiveness spoken in portuguese. Once a year the participants in the GSI program (companies with innovative DNA, public entities in the innovation area and participants with a high technical and/or management profile) enjoy a week immersed in the Bay Area spirit; and they have the opportunity to see in loco what is being accomplished in terms of innovation in their respective fields of activity, to have sessions with experts from various areas, to present their projects and concepts to potential investors and have one-on-one meetings with venture capitalists and business angels, and even to participate in networking events.

Expand knowledge and investment

After seven editions, GSI took more than 250 top executives to Silicon Valley, from more than eight countries and from over 120 entities (public and private), that range from EDP to Brisa, Vortal to Impresa, Correios do Brasil to Unitel Angola. The participants reported 100% satisfaction, and 43% indicated that the program exceeded their expectations.

Over the years the executives who were introduced by LBC to Silicon Valley have been bringing new ideas and visions to share with their teams and implement in their organizations – disseminating knowledge; some of them decided to invest in the US, and others have even decided to live in the country and proceed with their business.

Rui Boavista Marques, director at AICEP Portugal Global (2013 Edition):
“The program’s consistency is remarkable, indeed recommended. Now it’s a matter of continuity, companies have to be able to apply what they have seen here and be able to apply models in such a successful manner as the ones we visited”.

Peter Norton, at the time CEO of the Impresa group (2014 Edition):
“People enter in different environments, is very different reading about reality and experience it directly. To experiment this culture, this vibration that you live here, are time and money well spent”.