# Gonçalo Agra Amorim

> Gonçalo Agra Amorim is the Lisbon-based founder and CEO of BGI - Sustainable Ventures. Trained in mechanical engineering and engineering management, he worked in scientific instrumentation and semiconductor technology before building a career supporting research-based startups, international commercialization and sustainable agrifood innovation. He also serves on the executive board of Food4Sustainability CoLAB.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at BGI - Sustainable Ventures
- **Organizations:** BGI - Sustainable Ventures, Food4Sustainability CoLAB, Institution of Mechanical Engineers
- **Education:** Mechanical Engineering, University of Brighton, MSc in Engineering Management, University of Bristol
- **Known for:** Co-founded and leads BGI - Sustainable Ventures, which emerged from MIT Portugal and ISCTE entrepreneurship activity., Named co-inventor on US20030171013A1, an electro-optical module assembly patent application assigned to Agilent Technologies., Mentored more than 200 technology-based founders, entrepreneurial teams, startups and spin-offs, according to the Lisboa Ecosystem Guide.

## Career timeline

- **1997** — Began his engineering career in England; work included scientific experiment design at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.
- **2000** — Joined Hewlett Packard’s semiconductor division in the United Kingdom.
- **2003** — Named as a co-inventor on published US patent application US20030171013A1 for an electro-optical module assembly.
- **2008** — Founded his first company within Sonae Group.
- **2010** — BGI’s predecessor venture competition began through ISCTE-IUL and MIT Portugal.
- **2013** — BGI became a separate enterprise, with Amorim as executive director.
- **2015** — BGI began its EIT Digital ARISE Europe partnership.
- **2024** — Presented BGI’s work at the DIP4Agri final conference and spoke at Women in Agrifood Stories.
- **2026** — BGI announced AI4Agrifood; Amorim discussed circular agriculture and biotechnology in a February interview.

## Achievements

- Co-founded and leads BGI - Sustainable Ventures, which emerged from MIT Portugal and ISCTE entrepreneurship activity.
- Named co-inventor on US20030171013A1, an electro-optical module assembly patent application assigned to Agilent Technologies.
- Mentored more than 200 technology-based founders, entrepreneurial teams, startups and spin-offs, according to the Lisboa Ecosystem Guide.
- Chartered Engineer through the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
- BGI reports 335 accelerated startups, $660 million raised and a 70% survival rate on its website; these are company-reported portfolio figures, not personal financial achievements.

## Latest updates

- **2026-02** — Interviewed by Agriterra about biotechnology, circular agriculture, AmpliAqua and the adoption of sustainable farming practices.
- **2026-02** — Appeared on the Querido Líder podcast to discuss startups, focus, failure and honesty with partners.
- **2026-01** — Quoted in BGI’s announcement of AI4Agrifood, supporting AI startups through mentoring, pilot preparation and market validation.

## Links

- Website: https://www.bgi.pt/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/goncaloamorim/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/goncalo-agra-amorim
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Last updated: 2026-10-22