Tiago Braga takes over the leadership of NERPOR-AE: A new cycle begins for the region’s business fabric
Tiago Braga, founder of the Start PME Group, won the elections for the governing bodies of NERPOR-AE - the Portalegre Region Business Association, and has now taken on the presidency of this historic association that represents entrepreneurs and the regional economic fabric with honour and a sense of mission.
Tiago Braga takes over the leadership of NERPOR-AE: A new cycle begins for the region’s business fabric
Tiago Braga, founder of the Start PME Group, won the elections for the governing bodies of NERPOR-AE - the Portalegre Region Business Association, and has now taken on the presidency of this historic association that represents entrepreneurs and the regional economic fabric with honour and a sense of mission.
For years, NERPOR-AE was a pillar of support for economic development. However, financial difficulties led to stagnation and, more recently, to the interruption of its activity. Today, the association is embarking on a new cycle. A cycle that requires restructuring, the restoration of credibility and a profound renewal of NERPOR-AE's purpose.
"This victory is more than an election result: it's a clear sign that the region's business community wants change, wants a future and wants action. We are here to re-found NERPOR and make it a strategic partner for the entrepreneurs of Alto Alentejo." emphasises Tiago Braga, Private & New Business Director of the Start PME Group, who is now taking over the leadership of NERPOR-AE.
New agenda for business development in the region
The new leadership presents a strategic agenda centred on innovation, qualification and technical support. The first step is to restructure the association's debt with transparency, rigour and responsibility. ‘We will rescue NERPOR's financial sustainability and restore it to the institutional dignity it deserves. But our mission goes far beyond recovery: we want to re-found NERPOR as a modern, relevant and decisive platform for the region's business future. This is why we have launched a clear agenda to re-qualify the association's role in boosting the economy: support for the digitalisation of companies, promotion of qualifications and training, enhancement of local products, support for entrepreneurship, internationalisation and innovation,’emphasises Tiago Braga.
Access to EU funds for local business people and entrepreneurs
A priority will be the creation of a Financial Strategy Office, with technical teams dedicated to supporting companies and entrepreneurs in accessing EU, national and regional funds, banking intermediation and attracting investors. This office will provide support in preparing, submitting and monitoring applications, but will also have an educational function, promoting workshops, training sessions and ongoing information on the funding opportunities available.
The new NERPOR-AE is a project with institutional ambition that aims to contribute to:
- Strengthening the role of the business association as an active voice for the region's companies
- Building bridges between investment, technical know-how and the local business community
- Transform NERPOR into an agile, transparent, professional and mobilising structure
A NERPOR-AE with a new mission
The association aims to become a more agile, transparent and professional organisation, strengthening its role as an active voice for entrepreneurs and a link between technical knowledge, investors and the local economic fabric. ‘I believe deeply in the region's economic potential. I believe in the strength of its people. I believe that a new development model is possible - fairer, more sustainable, more intelligent. NERPOR-AE is back. And the future starts now,’ added the new leadership.
About NERPOR-AE
NERPOR-AE is the Portalegre region's business association, with a decades-long history of supporting the economic fabric of Alto Alentejo. Under new management, it is now embarking on a cycle of revitalisation with a view to giving the association back its leading role in regional development.
Andreia Arenga
21.05.2025
All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted or used, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of Equações Exaustivas Lda. All trademarks, company names, logos and products mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
For years, NERPOR-AE was a pillar of support for economic development. However, financial difficulties led to stagnation and, more recently, to the interruption of its activity. Today, the association is embarking on a new cycle. A cycle that requires restructuring, the restoration of credibility and a profound renewal of NERPOR-AE's purpose.
"This victory is more than an election result: it's a clear sign that the region's business community wants change, wants a future and wants action. We are here to re-found NERPOR and make it a strategic partner for the entrepreneurs of Alto Alentejo." emphasises Tiago Braga, Private & New Business Director of the Start PME Group, who is now taking over the leadership of NERPOR-AE.
New agenda for business development in the region
The new leadership presents a strategic agenda centred on innovation, qualification and technical support. The first step is to restructure the association's debt with transparency, rigour and responsibility. ‘We will rescue NERPOR's financial sustainability and restore it to the institutional dignity it deserves. But our mission goes far beyond recovery: we want to re-found NERPOR as a modern, relevant and decisive platform for the region's business future. This is why we have launched a clear agenda to re-qualify the association's role in boosting the economy: support for the digitalisation of companies, promotion of qualifications and training, enhancement of local products, support for entrepreneurship, internationalisation and innovation,’emphasises Tiago Braga.
Access to EU funds for local business people and entrepreneurs
A priority will be the creation of a Financial Strategy Office, with technical teams dedicated to supporting companies and entrepreneurs in accessing EU, national and regional funds, banking intermediation and attracting investors. This office will provide support in preparing, submitting and monitoring applications, but will also have an educational function, promoting workshops, training sessions and ongoing information on the funding opportunities available.
The new NERPOR-AE is a project with institutional ambition that aims to contribute to:
- Strengthening the role of the business association as an active voice for the region's companies
- Building bridges between investment, technical know-how and the local business community
- Transform NERPOR into an agile, transparent, professional and mobilising structure
A NERPOR-AE with a new mission
The association aims to become a more agile, transparent and professional organisation, strengthening its role as an active voice for entrepreneurs and a link between technical knowledge, investors and the local economic fabric. ‘I believe deeply in the region's economic potential. I believe in the strength of its people. I believe that a new development model is possible - fairer, more sustainable, more intelligent. NERPOR-AE is back. And the future starts now,’ added the new leadership.
About NERPOR-AE
NERPOR-AE is the Portalegre region's business association, with a decades-long history of supporting the economic fabric of Alto Alentejo. Under new management, it is now embarking on a cycle of revitalisation with a view to giving the association back its leading role in regional development.
Andreia Arenga
21.05.2025
All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted or used, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of Equações Exaustivas Lda. All trademarks, company names, logos and products mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
