The president of the Porto Metropolitan Council (CMP), Pedro Duarte, considers that the PITCH-Porto Innovation and Technology Community Hub “can be strategic for the whole region”. Therefore, he is very pleased with the availability of municipalities such as Matosinhos, Maia, Valongo and Gondomar to host different features of a project that aims to create "one of the largest platforms for sharing knowledge and innovation in Europe".

The project, which will start from Porto, through the reactivation of the Asprela Innovation District, should progressively extend to the entire Porto Metropolitan Area, something that was welcomed with enthusiasm at this Friday's meeting of the Porto Metropolitan Council.

"The municipalities are willing to participate and I think it is important that the network also expands from this point of view. I am very pleased with the situation, and I have no doubt that other municipalities will come forward, creating a healthy competition, if necessary, to have development centres that will benefit people's lives, "said Pedro Duarte.

In particular, PITCH aims to "attract national and international investment to the greater Porto area", increase technological exports and create qualified jobs. Hence, the President of the CMP considers that it is a “very important project”, which “can be strategic for the whole region, for the metropolitan area, for the North region”.

The PITCH – Porto Innovation and Technology Community Hub, which was launched in June by the Porto City Council, the University of Porto and the Technical University of Porto, will now take a metropolitan lead. It is intended to create a large innovation and technology platform on a regional scale, bringing together universities, companies, research, startups and territory.

Photo: Andreia Merca/Porto City Council