Purpose: DNA is a business incubator to:
- Develop innovative potential of young people
- Promote entrepreneurship
- Support the creation of new companies, organisation of seminars and conferences
DNA Cascais has as its main axes of action the capture, fixation and development of skills and knowledge, through the promotion and stimulation of creativity and innovation, in an environment that promotes entrepreneurship.
Stimulus/Rationale: DNA Cascais is a non-profit association connected to the municipality that aims to contribute to the promotion, encouragement and development of entrepreneurship, with a special focus on promoting young and social entrepreneurship in the Municipality of Cascais.
Trade is a key sector for the development and sustainability of cities, either through job creation or through its social integration function. In recent decades this activity has been undergoing an increase in competitiveness, and it is possible to observe a Europeanization of consumers and their purchasing attitudes.
Process: In a nutshell, these are DNA Cascais’ main activities:
- Creation of new companies
- Promotion of competitions about entrepreneurship
- Management of the “Cascais Business Angels Club"
- Organisation of seminars, conferences, etc.
- Encourage the offer of Internships, international exchanges, etc.
More importantly, DNA promotes and encourages young and educational entrepreneurship through competitions:
Students are challenged to create and develop a business plan based on the “Business Model Canvas” template. This strategic template is a visual chart that leads students to think about the various aspects related to this area, such as strengths and weaknesses, financing, target audience and the relationship regarding business, communication channels, partners and the necessary resources for the development of the business. Throughout this process, students will be supported by specialised professionals. At the end of the programme, the selected teams will present their idea in 5 minutes. The winning team will be awarded a “Mission to an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre” which will be granted by the European University.
This competition aims to awaken the entrepreneurial spirit among young people in the context of their professional career. It demystifies doubts, and rather shows that entrepreneurship should be taken into consideration as an integral part of their professional career.
Impact: DNA Cascais, with a nest of companies in Alcabideche, has supported in the last 16 years, 512 new companies representing 2,155 new jobs and 69.1 million Euros of global Investment in the universe of DNA Cascais companies, resulting in 4099 meetings with entrepreneurs. It also has one of the largest Youth Entrepreneurship programs in Portugal, which over the 13 years of the program, has seen more than 49,000 young people, 300 teachers and 50 schools in the municipality of Cascais involved in its Entrepreneurial Schools project.
By decision of the City Council, 6 Urban Commercial Centers were created, and DNA Cascais was assigned the management and dynamization of the same. DNA Cascais also has under its management 13 cafeterias and municipal kiosks, installed in urban parks, libraries, environmental interpretation centres and cultural spaces and the Management of the Catering and Commerce Spaces of the Village Market.
DNA has been certified since 2012 as a Business and Innovation Center (BIC) by the European network EBN, of the European Commission (CE), being the only BIC certified in the Lisbon region. In the year 2021 a new evaluation of the Certification was carried out, with the renewal of the same. DNA has its good practices recognized by the EC and distinguished in the national edition of the European Enterprise Awards in 2010 and 2011: Entrepreneurial Ecosystem as a tool to support entrepreneurship at local level and the school entrepreneurship program;
Key reference documents: For more information
