• ViTEB Test BED | DIGITAL PRODUCTS & ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES
    ViTEB Test BED | DIGITAL PRODUCTS & ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES
    Experimentation and Testing Platform for SMEs and Startups
    See more
  • ViTEB Test BED | DIGITAL PRODUCTS & ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES
    ViTEB Test BED | DIGITAL PRODUCTS & ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES
    Experimentation and Testing Platform for SMEs and Startups
    See more
  • ViTEB Test BED | DIGITAL PRODUCTS & ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES
    ViTEB Test BED | DIGITAL PRODUCTS & ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES
    Experimentation and Testing Platform for SMEs and Startups
    See more

About ViTEB - Visabeira I&D Test Bed

The ViTEB Test Bed, promoted by Visabeira Investigação e Desenvolvimento SA, is an Innovation Centre which operates in a partnership with the companies (SMEs and Startups) it provides services to.

It provides infrastructures, technical and technological skills to support the development and testing of new products and/or services on a pre-industrial scale, which are in a position to reach Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) of between 5 and 9, with a strong digital and/or virtual/digital simulation component.

 

What does TRL mean?

The TRL (Technology Readiness Level) refers to the level of technological maturity of a given technology, system or technological solution, throughout the various stages of technological development and consists of a scale from 1 to 9.

 

 

 

 

 

TRL levels

To determine the TRL, we analyse the position of the technology on the scale. Each level determines the existence of consistent reference information so that anyone can understand the evolution of the technology, regardless of their expertise on the subject.

Level 1 (lowest) corresponds to the start of research, while level 9 (highest) concerns the operationalisation or commercialisation of the technology, system or technological solution in question.

Image adapted from biominas.org.br on 09-09-2023.

Where does ViTEB Test Bed operate on the TRL scale?

The scope of action of ViTEB Test Bed includes the development, experimentation and testing of products/services which are prepared to reach a TRL of between 5 and 9.

Potential benefits for SMEs or Startups when using ViTEB Test Bed

By resorting ViTEB Test Bed, SMEs and Startups have access to several benefits that can be decisive in the competitive advantage of their product or service.

The considerable reduction in risk in the so-called “Valley of Death” of innovation stands out.

What is the “Valley of Death” of Innovation

TRLs 1 to 4 tend to be worked on by the Academy, companies prefer to work with TRL 7 to 9. Therefore, TRLs 4 to 6 represent a gap between academic research and industrial commercialisation. This gap is colloquially referred to as the “Valley of Death” of Innovation because it is precisely at these levels that many products hit a dead end.

Some reasons include the need for investment and specialised knowledge, lack of connection between the Academy and the Companies, clash of “cultures”, among others.

Partners and Collaborative Ecosystem

ViTEB Test Bed belongs to a collaborative ecosystem, based on major national organisations that are prominent in their activity areas, thus ensuring success, creating synergies and increasing value for SMEs and Startups.

Tax Benefits and Incentives

Expenditure on R&D activities carried out by companies/Startups on the Test Bed (Personnel costs, Expenditure on contracting R&D activities, Operating costs and Purchase of tangible fixed assets) is eligible under SIFIDE II.

  • SIFIDE II (Sistema de Incentivos Fiscais em Investigação e Desenvolvimento Empresarial II) [System of Tax Incentives for Business Research and Development II]. Allows the amount corresponding to eligible expenses to be deducted from the amount of the Income Tax levied, in a double percentage, up to a maximum of 82.5%. Should you require further information, please visit the ANI website.
  • Other Incentives for R&D within the scope of PT2030.