Portuguese unicorn and Porto Leading Investor Sword Health has announced a €250 million investment to create a global hub for artificial intelligence in healthcare based in the city of Porto. The project reinforces the company’s commitment to nurturing national talent and advancing innovation in medical technology. The investment, to be completed by 2028, marks a significant step in consolidating Portugal’s role as a leader in AI development.
The initiative will be divided into three strategic pillars, with €60 million dedicated to human resources. In this regard, the Leading Investor plans to expand its Portuguese workforce from 500 to more than 930 qualified professionals, more than doubling the number of engineers to over 700. The company will also finance over 60 master’s and doctoral scholarships to support research and the integration of young professionals into the tech and health sectors.
A strong emphasis will be placed on research and development, with the company set to double its R&D investment by 2028. This will not only enhance scientific and technological innovation, but also foster collaborations with academic institutions and research centres across the country.
Sword Health also plans to invest heavily in advanced AI computing infrastructure to develop and train foundational models for healthcare applications. An initial €10 million will be invested next year, rising to as much as €27 million annually by 2028. Sword’s founder and CEO, Virgílio Bento, described the initiative as a testament to the belief that Portugal has "all the conditions to become a leader in AI”, positioning Porto as a global hub where technology, research, and talent converge to shape the future of healthcare.
