Academic Entrepreneurship: Challenges and Opportunities of the Poliempreende Program

This study examines the effect of the Poliempreende program on the development of transversal and entrepreneurial skills among students at the Polytechnic University of Cávado and Ave, as well as its role in enhancing employability and fostering professional networking opportunities. The research stems from the need to assess Poliempreende's contribution to strengthening the entrepreneurial culture, bridging the gap between academia and industry. The main objectives are: i) to analyze the impact of Poliempreende on the development of transversal and entrepreneurial skills, ii) to explore the dynamics between academia and industry, and iii) to evaluate the challenges and opportunities of this program within the IPCA context. To accomplish these goals, a survey has been created and answered by the finalists of the last four editions of Poliempreende. The results provide evidence on the impact that Poliempreende had on the development of skills such as leadership, resilience, communication, and innovation capacity. It also backed up the participants’ employability, and it has also facilitated access to professional networking opportunities. Furthermore, the program’s structured framework, which combines workshops, mentoring, and competitions, has proven to be valuable in preparing participants for real-world challenges. Although, despite its positive impact, the program would have benefited from a more structured post-competition support, which could have been provided by an incubator, to consolidate the project outcomes and ensure business continuity. The findings underscore the potential for higher education institutions to drive regional development and economic growth through initiatives like Poliempreende