Francisco José Fraga

Francisco Fraga is an external researcher at INESC TEC, specializing in technology innovation and entrepreneurship, and a Master’s student in Technological Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Porto (FEUP/FEP). He works at the intersection of Human–AI collaboration, frame creation, and early-stage venture development. He designs frameworks that enhance startup discovery processes, making them more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive.

His current research investigates how entrepreneurial teams can collaborate with generative AI tools to accelerate the co-evolution of problem and solution, aiming to reduce wasted time, resources, and cognitive effort in ideation and validation phases. In parallel, he has explored international opportunities at institutions such as UNC Chapel Hill, University of Pennsylvania, Florida State University, Ohio University, and Arizona State University, building a trajectory focused on significant impact in entrepreneurial practice.

Centres

Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship

The mission of our Centre for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CITE) is to carry out multidisciplinary activities at the intersection of technology, innovation, sustainability, and management, promoting the exploration, implementation, and adoption of responsible and sustainable socio-technical systems. We focus on the areas of Innovation Management, Technology Management, and Technology-Based Entrepreneurship, exploring theories, methods, models, and tools to support the innovation process. Through research and innovation activities—including consultancy and advanced training—we address environmental, social, and economic challenges, contributing to the exploration, implementation, and adoption of innovative solutions. We create impact through research and innovation outcomes, aligning our activities with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We place high value on collaboration with both national and international partners. We are a member of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), where our mission is to support Portuguese companies on their innovation journey by identifying and fostering international partnerships for business or innovation development, while also helping to find the most relevant funding sources. We support the implementation of innovation management systems, integrating technology management with new business models and value chains, and promoting sustainable and responsible practices. We also run open innovation and acceleration programmes, contributing to the development of startups and the strengthening of innovation ecosystems. We work across three core areas: innovation management and the front end of innovation (FEI), technology management and policy, and entrepreneurship and business model innovation.