CoLABOR was integrated into the universe of Collaborative Laboratories (CoLABs) covered by the "Study of the Socioeconomic Impact of Collaborative Laboratories in Portugal , " which was developed by Porto Business School in partnership with the Collaborative Laboratories Forum.
Led by the Innovation eXploration Hub, under the coordination of Filipe Grilo, the report highlights the consolidation of CoLABs as interface structures between science and practical application, with a growing capacity to generate innovation, economic value, and social impact. Their work is particularly relevant in contexts marked by market failures, insufficient installed technological capacity, or high levels of technical uncertainty, contributing to the creation of new scientific and economic skills in Portugal.
Between 2021 and 2025, the 21 CoLABs analyzed registered growth of approximately 70% in human resources and more than doubled their revenues. The study also highlights the strengthening of their capacity to attract competitive national and international funding, reflecting the increasing maturity and sustainability of these entities.
In 2025, CoLABs generated an estimated economic impact of €74.7 million in Gross Value Added (GVA), supported 2,178 jobs, and contributed €26.5 million in tax revenue. Between 2021 and 2025, for every euro of public funding received, €2.27 of GVA was generated.
The results reinforce the role of collaborative laboratories as a strategic infrastructure for innovation and as a link between scientific knowledge, the business sector, and society.
According to André Matos, spokesperson for FCoLAB, and based on the study's results, CoLABs have moved beyond being a pilot project and have established themselves as a critical infrastructure for the knowledge economy in Portugal, promoting investment, skilled employment, business innovation, and competitiveness.
The national network currently integrates 41 CoLABs and 472 associated entities, distributed across strategic areas such as health, energy, agri-food, digital, climate, ocean, sustainability, and social services.
CoLABOR has been part of this network since its inception in 2018, maintaining the Collaborative Laboratory seal awarded by the Foundation for Science and Technology.