This Monday, April 17, Casa do Impacto welcomed the visit of Tiago Antunes, Secretary of State for European Affairs, and Anna Lührmann, Minister of State for European Affairs and Climate of Germany. The goal: to showcase some of the projects created here that are working in strategic areas for the future of the planet such as the green and digital transition or social impact.

The entourage was also accompanied by Mrs. German Ambassador to Portugal, Julia Monar, who got to know some of the many features of the Hub of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, having started her visit with a stop at the Bootcamp room at Academia de Código and ended at Sala da Bica, after the usual group photo on the terrace of the convent.

Tiago Antunes and Anna Lührmann subsequently had the opportunity to meet some of the entrepreneurs, who presented their startups and exchanged arguments with policymakers, in an informal session that was productive for everyone.

Summarising part of the discussion, the Secretary of State for European Affairs was pleased with the work presented. “This is Casa do Impacto and you are trying to make an impact. It is interesting to see how you’re trying to make a profit, obviously, but in the right way, sustainably and ethically”, said Tiago Antunes.

“We have the topic of European Affairs in our daily rolls and the European Union is just that: aims to bring people together with different realities, mentalities, cultures, histories and traditions”, recalled the Secretary of State.

For her part, Anna Lührmann took advantage of one of the ideas presented, regarding the attempt to bring young people closer to politics, to describe her professional path, remembering that she too was guided by this motto from an early age and leaving some questions to the audience.

Finally, Nuno Comando, responsible for Incubation and Programs at Casa do Impacto, thanked the visit of the two political leaders and stressed that Casa do Impacto is always open to synergies that can leverage the fulfillment of its mission, in the search for innovative solutions in the resolution of social and environmental problems and needs, in line with the values promoted by Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa.

“A unique place”

Inês Sequeira, director of Casa do Impacto, was satisfied with the visit of Anna Lührmann and Tiago Antunes, highlighting the uniqueness of our Hub.

“Casa do Impacto is a unique hub in the Portuguese context, which works with all sectors to democratize access to Impact and innovation with purpose, which over the last few years has aroused the interest of several national and international political actors. It was therefore an honor to receive the visit of the German Minister for European Affairs and Climate and the Secretary of State for European Affairs of the Portuguese government, to show in loco the work that we have been developing with this community of innovators, as well as to create the first foundations for the bridges we want to build with highly developed and competitive markets, such as Germany”, she said.

“Casa do Impacto startups will continue to grow, and their solutions can bring innovation to societal problems across borders, so it is important to give them tools so that they can guarantee greater financial sustainability by growing in other markets and contributing, at the same time, to solve the biggest problems of a global world”, concluded Inês Sequeira.

Do you want to be up to date with all the news from Casa do Impacto, including our monthly program of events? Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media – Facebook, Instagram,Twitter and Linkedin.