Porto, 23 May 2022 – Portugal Ventures, part of the Banco Português de Fomento Group, is proud to announce its most recent investment in a tech company whose solution is designed for tourist accommodation units, and whose mission is to support companies in the sector to implement good sustainability and energy efficiency practices.
MTI – Managing the Intelligence develops IoT devices and software, powered by artificial intelligence, for the global hospitality and accommodation market.
The team comprising Miguel Silva and Sofia Romão created an energy efficiency solution – the MTI Smart Room, which works with any system and brand of air conditioning, to increase the thermal comfort of guests and to reduce the cost of electricity bills, making tourist accommodation units more sustainable and compliant with ESG (Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance) criteria.
MTI Smart Room, a hardware and software solution, is easy to install and does not require additional works or the closure of hotels for installation. It integrates with hotel systems, allowing, for example, the control of AC units based on the check-in and check-out times of guests, thus preventing energy waste.
Based in Faro, MTI – Managing the Intelligence already has its solution installed in over 400 rooms in Portugal and expects to begin its internationalisation process to Europe by the end of 2022.
For Pedro de Mello Breyner, Executive Member of Portugal Ventures’ Board of Directors, and head of the Tourism Business Unit, “this investment aims at supporting growth in the range of products and services that transform the tourism industry into an increasingly responsible sector in terms of sustainability, energy efficiency and ecological footprint. We believe that by investing in these types of technological solutions, we will be working to make Portugal a destination that is increasingly sustainable and aligned with the Tourism Strategy 2027.”
Sofia Romão, CFO of MTI, says that “it is with great enthusiasm and expectation that Managing The Intelligence embarks on this partnership with Portugal Ventures, which we are sure will be filled with many successes and achievements! The investment round closed with Portugal Ventures is recognition of the effort and passion of the entire team and the innovative and disruptive potential of the MTI Smart Room solution. Our commitment, ambition, dedication and hard work with Portugal Ventures will enhance MTI’s sustained growth towards becoming a global reference, combining technology with the sustainability of the planet we call home.
The partnership with Portugal Ventures will provide MTI with access to corporate best practices and a world-class network and community of entrepreneurship and innovation, making the path to success faster and generating a greater impact.”
This investment stems from the 4th edition of Call Turismo, launched at the end of 2021, with the aim of reactivating and encouraging recovery of the industry. Since the 1st edition of Call Turismo Portugal Ventures has received more than 240 applications, with a total amount requested for investment of €150 million.
€5 MILLION AVAILABLE TO INVEST IN THE 5TH EDITION OF CALL TURISMO
Portugal Ventures today launches the 5th edition of Call Turismo, in partnership with Turismo de Portugaland Nest – Tourism Innovation Centre, to invest between €200,000 and €1 million in projects that contribute to innovation, sustainability and efficiency in the tourism sector.
In this 5th edition, incorporated companies or those to be incorporated are eligible, presenting:
- non-tech projects offering differentiating concepts for the country’s tourism offer and that contribute to enriching the tourist experience and to strengthening Portugal’s competitiveness as a tourist destination;
- tech-based projects offering solutions to boost the efficiency of companies in the tourism sector and their supply of products and services.
Just as in the 4th edition, projects that contribute towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering solutions that encourage the dematerialisation of processes and services, the recycling, reuse and reduction of waste, combine clean energy, improve energy and water efficiency, and smart mobility solutions, will be given priority.
Call Turismo implements the provisions of the Plan to Reactivate Tourism and Build the Future, approved by Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 76/2021 of 16 June, by creating conditions for the promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation in the sector.
