The CRIA (Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer Division) is a structure of the University of Algarve designed to promote relations between the research and development units and/or researchers from the University and companies; support the creation of new companies (start- ups and spin-offs) that benefit from knowledge transfer; manage incubation spaces that welcome technology-based companies; popularise patent registration and exploitation of other industrial property mechanisms; dynamise consortia responsible for applied research projects; and develop lines of external cooperation, particularly in the international field.

The CRIA's goals can be summarised in three main areas of intervention:

The first area corresponds to an intervention that promotes an environment of cooperation between the world of scientific research and the business environment, namely:

1. Identification of areas of knowledge that can contribute to the creation of companies;
2. Promotion of consortium projects between research units and companies;
3. Reception and monitoring of companies that result from the economic valorisation of the knowledge produced at the University.

The second area of intervention is related to the protection of knowledge, through:

1. Preparation of claims leading to patent registration;
2. Use of mechanisms associated with intellectual property;
3. Creation and negotiation of contractual conditions for the transfer of knowledge for business valuation.

The final area of intervention concerns the general perspective of creating an entrepreneurial and creative environment within the academic community, through:

1. Intervention in the University's training offer in teaching domains related to entrepreneurship and the constitution of companies;
2. Organisation of contests for ideas to support the creation of innovative companies;
3. Creation of cooperation networks with other innovation centres and agencies aimed at exchanging experiences and disseminating good practices.