SONAE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE AND TECHNOLOGY SGPS SA

Their core work

Sonae IM is the technology investment and venture capital arm of the Sonae Group, one of Portugal's largest conglomerates. They manage a portfolio of software and technology companies, and within H2020 they have focused on accelerating data-driven SMEs and startups — providing business support, mentoring, coaching, and investment services. Their EU project work centers on building ecosystems that help early-stage companies adopt blockchain and data technologies, acting as an intermediary between startups and market opportunities.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Sonae IM's H2020 participation spans only 2019–2020 in start dates, so evolution is modest. Early projects emphasized data market infrastructure, standardisation, GDPR compliance, and classic venture-style support (investment, coaching, mentoring). The later focus shifted toward blockchain/DLT adoption for SMEs and building trusted European data spaces — signaling a move from general startup support toward deeper engagement with specific emerging technologies.

Sonae IM is moving from general startup acceleration toward becoming a specialized intermediary for data economy and blockchain ventures in Europe.

How they like to work

Sonae IM has coordinated one of their three projects (BlockStart, their largest at over EUR 1.1M), showing they can lead consortia but more often join as a partner. With 30 unique partners across 15 countries from just 3 projects, they operate in large, diverse consortia — typical of Coordination and Support Actions. Their role is that of an ecosystem builder and business intermediary rather than a technical research performer.

Despite only 3 projects, Sonae IM has built a remarkably wide network of 30 partners across 15 countries, reflecting the large consortium sizes typical of CSA-type acceleration programs. Their reach spans broadly across Europe with no single geographic concentration beyond their Portuguese base.

What sets them apart

Sonae IM brings something rare to EU consortia: corporate venture capital muscle combined with hands-on startup acceleration. Unlike typical research partners or consultancies, they can offer SMEs both mentorship and actual investment pathways through the broader Sonae Group portfolio. For consortium builders, they are a strong choice when a project needs a credible business intermediary who can bridge the gap between technology development and market adoption.

Highlights from their portfolio

• BlockStart
  Their only coordinated project and largest single grant (EUR 1.1M), focused on blockchain adoption for SMEs — a topic that combines their investment and tech expertise.
• REACH
  A long-running incubator project (2020–2024) for trusted European data value chains, positioning Sonae IM at the heart of EU data space policy implementation.