The IPN is a private non-profit institution that aims to promote innovation and technology transfer, establishing links between academia and industry. Created by the initiative of the University of Coimbra 1991, it develops its activities in three pillars that reinforce and complement each other: 

- Applied research and technological development (RTD), through seven own laboratories (wear, testing and materials; automation, informatics; geotechnics, corrosion, polymer chemistry and phytopathology); 
- Incubation and acceleration of innovative companies; 
- Specialized training. 

With over 200 employees, IPN has an integrated and distinctive model that operates in all phases of the cycle of knowledge transfer to the market and entrepreneurial qualification, generating synergies and enhancing complementarities in the areas of specialized training, based on close coordination between RTD activities and the valorization of the knowledge generated, culminating in the incubation and acceleration of companies.