Terinov is essential for internationalising the Azores. The internationalisation of the Azores, through science, through knowledge, through technology, through technology parks and, in particular, this technology park, Terinov, is fundamental so that, through this internationalisation, we know how to attract business”, said the head of the Azorean executive, José Manuel Bolieiro.
The government official was speaking in Angra do Heroísmo, on the island of Terceira, at the inauguration of the Terinov expansion works. The park opened its doors eight years ago and currently has 98 companies and entities established there.
Bolieiro gave the example of a Canadian entrepreneur, with a company established at the São Miguel Science and Technology Park (Nonagon), who expressed an intention to also establish himself at Terinov, reiterating that the park is “a decisive element of internationalisation”.
“Through Terinov, we have already participated in 13 international innovation and development projects, involving €16 million in international funding. This is, effectively, confirmation of the reinforcement that the Azores provide to the country in terms of the national projection of innovation and entrepreneurship,” he pointed out.
The head of the Azorean executive stressed that the Azores are building “a new cycle” of “knowledge autonomy”, in which science and technology “provide decisive content”.
“The prosperity of our economy in the economy of the future will be assured, with greater conviction and certainty, through science and technology. Political autonomy will have greater value if it is achieved on the basis of knowledge autonomy,” he stressed.
Without overlooking the importance of the primary sector and tourism in creating wealth, the government official argued that with science and technology and the digital transition, “the value of the Azores and its economy in the future has greater potential”.
“The Azores are not the residual terrestrial and demographic space that still prevails in the minds of some. We are a relevant, strategic, geopolitical and economic dimension, already attracting investments and opportunities from the new economies linked to the digital transition that the world is undergoing and which places us (…) as relevant players in this future. That is why we are truly a laboratory for the future,” he reinforced.
Inaugurated six years ago, Terinov opened its doors eight years ago and currently incubates 98 entities (90 of a business nature and eight of a scientific nature), totalling 338 users from 14 nationalities, including 25 PhDs.
“This is significant. We are promoting entrepreneurship in research, science, technology, digital and everything that science can provide us,” stressed Bolieiro.
The new building, with eight new spaces, will be able to accommodate between eight and 16 companies, but the President of the Regional Government admitted that it could be expanded again in the future.
The project, financed by the PRR, with an investment of €2.1 million, was launched in January 2025, with a one-year implementation period.
José Manuel Bolieiro reiterated his conviction that, by 31 August, the “few” PRR milestones and targets in the Azores that had yet to be completed “will be achieved”.
Source: Açoriano Oriental, “Governo dos Açores defende que Terinov é essencial para internacionalização da região”, 25 August 2026.