Frequently asked questions

  • Who is Grupo Ageas Portugal?

    Founded in 1824, Ageas is an international insurance group based in Brussels and present in 14 countries in Europe and Asia.

    Operating in Portugal since 2005, Ageas has been investing in the country as one of its main markets, through strong partnerships and investments. The company helps clients to manage, anticipate, and protect themselves against risks and unforeseen events, allowing them to live with maximum security and peace of mind, contributing to the development of the country and society through the Ageas Foundation.

    The mission of Grupo Ageas Portugal is to deliver an emotional and meaningful experience into people's lives, being a reference partner in insurance and the best place to work for entrepreneurs. For this, we have over 1,300 Employees and 2,300 Mediators to provide a service of excellence to the approximately 1.8 million customers of these trademarks: Ageas Seguros, Ageas Pensões, Médis, Ocidental, and Seguro Directo.

    To diversify its business and be close to its customers, Grupo Ageas Portugal goes beyond insurance, by providing an extensive offering of services through Clínica Médis, Ageas Repara, Livo, Pétis and Go Far.

  • How could the Ageas INsure Program benefit my startup?

    You will have the opportunity to:

    Receive Financial and Operational Support
    • Obtain a contribution for PoC development (up to €20,000 depending on the solution) and access to logistical perks, such as a workspace.
    • Benefit from additional technical perks through MAIZE’s partnership with the Global Accelerator Network (MORROW), such as Amazon Web Services, IBM Cloud, InVision, Typeform, and Brain.fm.

    Gain access to expertise and Mentorship
    • Collaborate with industry experts to receive mentorship, feedback, and valuable insights for your product or service.

    Partner with Leading Organizations
    • Work alongside a strong and innovative insurance partner with a committed C-level and innovation team.
    • Leverage MAIZE’s role in facilitating collaboration between Grupo Ageas Portugal and startups, ensuring hands-on support.

    Scale Up Your Company
    • Leverage Ageas' international presence to scale your project beyond the PoC phase both in Portugal and globally, unlocking new growth opportunities on an international scale.
  • In which stage should startups be to apply?

    Startups must have a technologically verified and working product/service that is either already launched or ready for market release. Furthermore, the venture should have a complete team. Solo entrepreneurs, as well as ideas or projects without a working product, will not be considered.

  • What are the selection criteria?

    When evaluating your venture, we will consider: fit to the brief and the affinity with Grupo Ageas Portugal products and digital projects, the solidity of the business model, the level of differentiation and novelty of the solution and its traction.

  • Who will evaluate and select the ventures?

    A jury formed by Grupo Ageas Portugal innovation team, vertical experts, and MAIZE.

  • How is our program structured?

    Grupo Ageas Portugal and MAIZE will conduct a comprehensive analysis of each startup applying to the program, resulting in a shortlist of the most promising candidates.

    Following this, the shortlisted startups will participate in a deep-dive meeting to explore potential synergies with Grupo Ageas.

    Finally, a jury composed of Grupo Ageas C-level executives will make the final decision, selecting 7 startups to attend an in-person collaboration exploration workshop. During this workshop, the feasibility of the PoC will be assessed, leading to the final selection of startups for the next phase (dates to be confirmed).

  • If my startup is selected, what are the next steps?

    The business accelerator is a structured path that will guide selected startups and Grupo Ageas Portugal to validate the solution and build a partnership.

    After the assessment phase, we will contact you to start thinking about possible areas of collaboration and start discussions with Grupo Ageas Portugal and MAIZE

    • Collaboration exploration meeting: before the official start of the program there will be a one-day in-person workshop in Lisbon where the core team - including startups, Grupo Ageas Portugal's, business unit, Innovation Team and MAIZE - will get to know each other and evaluate the feasibility of the collaboration. Startups will receive feedback and will be asked to deep dive the startup's nature, such as data availability. The meetings aim at asses the PoC Statements of Work and the details of the PoC in order to validate the output and transform it into a real roadmap.

    • Kick Off: a remote kick off will introduce the Ageas INsure program and will define in detail the activities that will be carried out among specific business units and the startups in the PoC phase.

    • PoC Execution: eventually the program will entail a number of project design meetings that will bring the working group to validate assumptions made at the beginning of the project through a test.

    • Halfway meeting: a mid-term check will be organized for each startup after the first half of the PoC, to decide whether something has to be changed to reach the expected results.

    • Final meeting: the program will end with a final meeting and a celebration meeting where companies will present their POC results to the jury and define next steps for the partnership development.

    Each startup will progress at its own pace in the development of the PoC.

  • Where and when will the program take place?

    The program will start from Autumn 2025 and last approximately 3-6 months, depending on your specific PoC. The entire program will take place digitally, except for the Collaboration exploration meeting and closing meeting which will require of the startup team to be present in Lisbon.

  • Who needs to be present in Lisbon?

    Depending on the PoC, you can decide how many members of your team need to be present and when. However, we advise at least two team members — one business-oriented and another more tech-oriented.

  • Is my presence required in Lisbon?

    You are required to be in Lisbon for the Collaboration exploration meeting and closing meeting of the program.

    A closing event may be organized to showcase the participating startups and provide them with visibility within the Grupo Ageas network.

  • Are there any expenses covered by the program?
    The program does not cover expenses. You will, however, receive a contribution for PoC development (up to €20,000 depending on the solution) and access to logistical perks.
  • In what language will the program be conducted?

    All communications and materials will be in English.

  • Do you take equity in participating companies?

    Ageas INsure is a PoC-focused program, therefore no equity is taken.

  • Will you be investing in startups?

    The program is not investment-focused but given that the startups are selected to develop pilots with the partners, investment opportunities might arise.

  • I need to apply for a visa to travel to Portugal. Can you help?

    We can send you an Invitation Letter for you to use with your visa application.

  • How is the budget of the PoC defined?

    During selection day, we will require startups to present a proposal of collaboration with a PoC budget that will be defined and agreed on by MAIZE and Ageas based on the PoC specs and details.

  • How can I apply?

    You can apply here

  • Want to know more?

    Contact us and let’s chat!

goto up