QPT joins Portuguese tech incubator
QPT, a UK specialist developing next generation GaN-based motor drives, has joined INOPOL, the academic business incubator of the Polytechnic of Coimbra (IPC), located near its R&D office in Portugal.
This partnership will allow QPT to engage with the local entrepreneurial community, collaborate with talented students, and work alongside academics on innovative research.
IPC's INOPOL Entrepreneurship Academy fosters innovation and entrepreneurship while supporting the growth of startups and spinoffs. It also plays a key role in facilitating knowledge transfer between academia and industry, and helping students and graduates connect with the job market.
QPT says that IPC’s expertise in engineering, including fields like power electronics and robotics, makes it a valuable partner for R&D efforts into next generation, more efficient electric motor technology.
The partnership provides access to specialised facilities and talent, particularly through IPC’s engineering school, ISEC – Coimbra Institute of Engineering, which offers programs focused on power electronics, motors, and drives. IPC’s emphasis on practical research and its collaboration with regional industries align well with QPT’s goals, especially in areas such as electric drives and renewable energy.
Sara Proença, director of INOPOL, said: "It is a pleasure to welcome QPT to our innovation ecosystem. We look forward to the opportunities this collaboration will create for our startups, students, researchers and the broader academic community, enhancing connections that will spark new ventures and contribute to the creation of impactful solutions.”
Rupert Baines, QPT CEO, added: "We're excited to join INOPOL, where the spirit of innovation aligns perfectly with our vision. This collaboration opens doors for us to strengthen our research capabilities in power electronics and recruit exceptional talent. Together, we aim to push the boundaries of what’s possible in industrial drives and energy solutions. Our work in Portugal complements and enhances our activities in Cambridge.”
