Strategic Programmes for Creative Entrepreneurs

We support creative entrepreneurs and businesses at every stage of their journey — from initial concept to market expansion. Our team has more than 20 years of experience working across cultural and creative industries, sustainable production, and artisanal manufacturing. We bring strategic clarity to complex business challenges.

Our approach is participatory and pedagogical. We don’t just deliver recommendations — we work alongside you and your team, sharing tools, concepts, and experiences that prepare you to implement change and navigate future challenges with confidence.

Our strategic programmes are certified training, and we will grant a training certificate to all participants in the project.

Our Programmes

1.

Strategic Mentoring

Focused support for those thinking about a new business and entrepreneurs who need expert guidance on specific challenges.

    • Strategic analysis of your project and market positioning

    • Risk assessment

    • Business model recommendations

    • Practical guidance on value chain, pricing, and go-to-market strategy

    • 3 to 4 focused mentoring sessions over 1-2 weeks

    • Microsite with key takeaways from the programme

    • Training certificate for the involved participants

2.

Strategic Market Planning

Comprehensive strategic planning for those creating a new venture or established businesses ready to develop or refine their market approach.

    • In-depth business diagnosis and analysis

    • 2-3 Workshops for your team (business analysis, business decision tools, other)

    • Strategic objectives and business unit definition

    • Complete market strategy across product, pricing, distribution, and communication

    • Community engagement and customer loyalty planning

    • Actionable roadmap with clear implementation steps

    • Microsite with a comprehensive report

    • Training certificate for the involved participants

3.

Custom Strategic Programmes

    • In-depth business diagnosis and analysis

    • 2-3 Workshops for your team (business analysis, business decision tools, other)

    • Project objectives

    • Taylored Plan

    • Actionable roadmap with clear implementation steps

    • Microsite with a comprehensive report

    • Training certificate for the involved participants

If your needs fall outside our standard packages, we’ll design a custom programme that addresses your particular challenges and opportunities.

1. Strategic Mentoring

This programme is ideal for:

  • Early-stage ventures needing market validation

  • Established businesses facing a specific strategic decision

  • Entrepreneurs seeking structured thinking on pricing, positioning, or business model

  • Anyone wanting an expert perspective without a long-term commitment

Intensive, focused support over 1-2 weeks for entrepreneurs who need expert guidance on specific strategic challenges.

Working Method:

This is a highly participatory process. Between meetings, you’ll have ‘homework’ assignments that keep you engaged and actively shaping your strategy alongside our team.

What’s included in a typical programme:

  • Strategic analysis of your business model, products/services, and value proposition

  • Risk assessment

  • Market and competitive analysis with inspiring case studies

  • Recommendations for value chain, pricing strategy, and costs

  • Ideas for marketing strategy and market entry approach

  • 4 mentoring sessions over 1-2 weeks

Timeline: 1-2 weeks

Deliverables:

  • Microsite with key takeaways from the programme

  • Training certificate for the involved participants

Want to know more about this programme? Contact us or book a meeting

2. Strategic Market Planning

This programme is ideal for:

  • Businesses with multiple revenue streams needing a coherent strategy

  • Growing ventures ready to scale or enter new markets

  • Established businesses repositioning or pivoting

  • Entrepreneurs seeking a comprehensive strategic foundation

Comprehensive strategic planning for businesses ready to develop or significantly refine their market approach.

Working Method:

This is a highly participatory process. Between meetings, you’ll have ‘homework’ assignments that keep you engaged and actively shaping your strategy alongside our team.

What’s included in a typical programme:

Phase 1: Business Assessment (Month 1)

  • Comprehensive analysis of your project, products, services, and differentiation factors

  • Market benchmarking and inspiring case studies

  • SWOT analysis identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats / risks

  • Competitive analysis

  • Initial strategic recommendations

Phase 2: Strategic Definition (Month 2)

  • Vision development and medium/long-term strategic objectives

  • Business unit (cost centres, revenue streams, etc) definition and articulation

  • Project prioritisation using a criteria matrix aligned with strategic objectives

  • Foundation for implementation planning

Phase 3: Market Strategy (Months 3-4)

  • Target audience segmentation and prioritisation

  • Value proposition refinement and competitive differentiation

  • Product/service strategy: portfolio design, service design, range definition

  • Pricing and distribution strategy: pricing approach, intermediaries, logistics

  • Communication strategy: channel selection aligned with business objectives

  • Community strategy: customer engagement, loyalty, and retention

  • Action plan with clear implementation steps

  • Strategic roadmap

Timeline: 3-4 months

Deliverables:

  • Microsite with a comprehensive report

  • Training certificate for the involved participants

Want to know more about this programme? Contact us or book a meeting

3. Custom Strategic Programme

This programme is ideal for:

  • Businesses with multiple revenue streams needing a coherent strategy

  • Growing ventures ready to scale or enter new markets

  • Established businesses repositioning or pivoting

  • Entrepreneurs seeking a bespoke strategic support

  • Businesses with specific strategic needs (re-structuring, human resources, sustainability, etc)

Your business has unique challenges that don’t fit a standard package. We’ll design a custom programme that addresses your specific needs.

Working Method:

This is a highly participatory process. Between meetings, you’ll have ‘homework’ assignments that keep you engaged and actively shaping your strategy alongside our team.

This might include:

  • Extended strategic support over 6-12 months

  • International market entry strategy

  • Strategic workshops for your team

  • Business restructuring or pivot planning

  • Grant application support and EU funding strategy

  • Partnership and collaboration strategy

  • Combination of strategic planning with brand development through Ofício

Timeline: to be defined depending on your challenge

Deliverables:

  • Microsite with a comprehensive report

  • Training certificate for the involved participants

Get in touch to discuss what you need, and we’ll create a proposal tailored to your challenge.

Ready to start?

Whether you’re just beginning to think strategically about your business or you’re ready for comprehensive planning, we’re ready to support you.

Please use the contact form to share your ideas and challenges, and book a meeting with us.

Whom we work with

We specialise in supporting:

  • Visual artists and makers

  • Design studios and creative agencies

  • Independent retailers and concept stores

  • Hospitality businesses (cafes, restaurants, boutique accommodation)

  • Architecture and interior design practices

  • Craft and artisanal production businesses

  • Cultural organisations and creative hubs

Some of our clients are:

Ablesia Clothing, Ágora Cultura e Desporto, Alfaiate do Livro, Allpacas, Ask Game, Atelier Campilho Arquitectura, Bardo Creative Ground, Batalha Centro de Cinema, Bombarda Porto Art District, Canal Pança, Clã (music band), Cru Creative Hub, Cru Specialty Coffee, Cura Vegan Cheeses, Darga Crafts, Estúdio Ricardo Gil, FAHR 021.3, Fios Jardins Suspensos, Flattie Cycling Helmets, Eduardo Leitão, Estúdio Cozinha, Grampa Department Store, Hakko House, Horta do Ser, Ideal&Co, iGuaneye Shoes, Ingrid Costa, Jazzego Records, Joana Correia, Ligado Studio, Lupa Design, Mafalda Lencastre Photography, Mafalda’s Restaurant, Manna Food&Yoga, Mariamélia shop, Mome Housing Co-operatives, Nevoazul Magazine, Nova Type Foundry, Otília Flowers, Oupas! Design, Out to Lunch, Pão da Terra Sourdough Bakery, Piurra Furnituring, Prata Dancewear, Quinta das Carpas, Quito Ceramics, Reality Studio, Rosa Malva, Staywise, Susana Baladaia, Sust.co, Susto, The Petiscos, Trindade Padaria Artesanal, VaiVem book publishers, Vale de Gatos, Velo Culture, VIC Aveiro Arts House, VicNic Records, Zumbido Books and Coffee

Visit our clients and projects page

Read our strategy case studies in our journal