Controlar wins the Innovation Award in Internationalization, an initiative by COTEC Portugal in partnership with Santander Portugal and the World Trade Center Lisbon, in the Medium-Sized Company – Global category.
The awards ceremony took place on July 10th at the Santander Auditorium in Lisbon, where the 15 finalist companies, distinguished by their bold and innovative approaches to international expansion, took the stage.
With presence in various markets, Controlar knows that internationalizing is more than replicating a model: it’s about adapting, listening, and maintaining a living, culturally sensitive strategy. For the company, success relies on strong local teams, continuous learning, and a sustained vision over time.
Besides Controlar, four other companies were recognized, with OLI Sistemas Sanitários, S.A. being named the Grand Winner.
These companies represent different sectors and geographies but share a common approach: reinventing the path to global markets through innovation, resilience, and adaptability.
Controlar continues to be committed to promoting a business ecosystem capable of competing and leading in the global context.
Congratulations to Controlar and the entire Controlar universe team.
”One of the most remarkable moments of our internationalization was realizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to every market. What worked in one country had to be completely adapted in another — whether in terms of product, business model, or communication style. Investing in local teams and working closely with headquarters was essential to ensuring a consistent presence while remaining sensitive to each culture's particularities. To those just starting out, I’d advise not to be afraid of making mistakes but to learn quickly — and above all, to keep focused on a long-term vision. Internationalization is a process, not an event.
Pedro TorresControlar CEO
More Than Recognition, a Strategic Lever
The Innovation Award in Internationalization aims to valorize companies that challenge conventional models of expansion, enhancing their visibility and connecting them to international networks that foster new growth opportunities.
This distinction considers both the size of the company (Small, Medium, and MidCap) and the predominant geography of exports (Europe or Global), thereby aligning the evaluation with the stage of international maturity.
In this edition, 104 companies from various sectors applied. Selection was based on rigorous quantitative criteria — international growth rate, export intensity, R&D investment, productivity, profitability, sustainability, and intellectual property — complemented by an interview with each finalist.
Winners gain privileged access to the international network of 320 World Trade Centers, present in 93 countries, and will benefit from the support of a team of internationalization specialists from Santander, present in 13 regions.
According to Jorge Portugal, General-Director of COTEC Portugal: “These companies show that internationalization is not an isolated act but an evolutionary process — made of continuous learning, adaptation to cultural contexts, and a progressive building of competitive advantages in global markets.”
Amílcar Lourenço, Executive Director of Santander Portugal, stated to the portuguese newspaper ECO: “These awards celebrate the courage to innovate and the resilience of those who turn internationalization into a true achievement. The winners — and all the candidates of this edition — reflect the best of Portuguese entrepreneurship: the ability to face challenges and turn obstacles into growth opportunities, contributing to the country’s development.”
Luciano Montenegro de Menezes, CEO of the World Trade Center Lisbon said: “The Innovation in Internationalization Award is more than just recognition: it’s a lever to empower companies with global talent. Through the international network of the World Trade Centers Association, we offer these companies new opportunities for growth, collaboration, and structured internationalization.”
