FASTTRACK VENTURES, LDA

Their core work

Fasttrack Ventures is a Lisbon-based SME that operates as an innovation intermediary, helping small and medium enterprises adopt advanced technologies and transition toward digital and circular economy models. They specialize in running accelerator programs, managing technology transfer networks, and connecting SMEs with competence centers across Europe. Their work spans digitisation support, cyber-physical systems deployment, and advanced manufacturing transformation for traditional industries.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Fasttrack's early H2020 involvement (2020) centered on technology transfer infrastructure and low-energy computing through competence center networks (SMART4ALL). By 2021, their focus shifted decisively toward cluster-based innovation, circular economy, and broad SME transformation topics — covering blue economy, bioeconomy, raw materials, and open innovation. The trajectory shows a move from specific technical domains toward broader ecosystem orchestration and cross-sectoral SME support.

Fasttrack is expanding from technology-specific intermediation toward cross-sectoral ecosystem building, making them a versatile partner for projects needing SME engagement and acceleration infrastructure.

How they like to work

Fasttrack participates exclusively as a consortium partner, never as coordinator, which is typical for innovation intermediaries that contribute ecosystem management and SME outreach rather than leading the research agenda. With 82 unique partners across 34 countries from just 4 projects, they operate in large, pan-European consortia — indicating strong network access and comfort in complex multi-partner environments. This makes them a reliable support partner for reaching SME communities across diverse sectors.

Despite only 4 projects, Fasttrack has built an impressive network of 82 partners across 34 countries, reflecting their involvement in large Innovation Action consortia with broad European reach. Their network spans nearly all EU member states, with no obvious geographic concentration beyond their Portuguese base.

What sets them apart

Fasttrack's value lies in bridging technology providers and SMEs — they are not a research lab or a tech developer, but an orchestrator who knows how to run accelerators and connect enterprises with the right expertise. Their cross-sectoral reach (digital, circular economy, manufacturing, blue economy) is unusually broad for an SME of their size, making them a practical choice when a consortium needs someone to manage SME engagement, pilot programs, or regional outreach in Southern Europe.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SMART4ALL
  Largest funding (EUR 207K) and longest duration (2020-2024), focused on building a self-sustained cross-border network for cyber-physical system experimentation.
• DigiCirc
  Covers an unusually wide range of emerging sectors — blue economy, bioeconomy, raw materials, circular cities — all through the lens of cluster-led digital acceleration.