In the most recent episode of the podcast "Negócios com Impacto," a partnership between CATÓLICA-LISBON and Rádio Renascença, we can meet Bernardo Seixas, founder of Granter AI, an innovative company aiming to democratize access to European funds through artificial intelligence. Bernardo, a former CATÓLICA-LISBON student, is a 27-year-old young entrepreneur who has dreamed of having his own company since he was a child. This early desire became a reality with the creation of Granter AI in 2023.
Created in Spain but with genuinely Portuguese DNA, Granter AI was born in an incubator in Lisbon and has the mission of democratizing access to European funds, a challenge that Bernardo has embraced with passion and determination. Currently, the company has 720 companies registered on the platform, of which more than 100 have already acquired the paid service. With a team of seven people, Granter AI aims to raise 1.5 million euros in an investment round to expand internationally.
When asked about what Granter AI is, Bernardo explained that the company was created to solve the difficulties that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face when trying to access European funds. "We created a digital platform, using artificial intelligence, which can connect companies with the funds they should apply for," says Bernardo. The platform not only identifies funding opportunities but also generates a draft of the application, simplifying a traditionally bureaucratic and time-consuming process. The artificial intelligence used by Granter AI summarizes information from companies and funding documents, linking key points, and indicating eligibility for the funds.
Regarding the cost of the services, Bernardo explains that Granter AI charges a symbolic fee upon submission of the application, complemented by a percentage of the incentive obtained after approval. This business model is based on the success of the applications, making the services more accessible compared to traditional consultants.
Despite the advantages of artificial intelligence, Bernardo acknowledges the initial skepticism of the market, especially among traditional SMEs. However, he believes that as more applications are approved, trust in Granter AI will grow. "The speed and value of our services have been strong arguments," observes Bernardo, adding that the average time to prepare an application is about five days.
Reflecting on his journey at Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics, Bernardo admits he was not a brilliant student, but values the human relationships and credibility the institution provided him. "Católica definitely had an impact on my professional career," he acknowledges, highlighting the friendships and professional opportunities that arose from that experience.
Granter AI is just at the beginning of its journey, but with Bernardo Seixas' visionary leadership, the company promises to revolutionize access to European funds, helping innovative companies grow and contribute to the economic development of Portugal and beyond.