Since its inception in 2018, this partnership has grown into a powerhouse of digital transformation, showcasing the immense value of Portuguese tech talent on the global automotive stage.

Critical TechWorks (CTW) was established with a bold mission: to accelerate BMW’s digital transformation and help shape the future of mobility. The result? A thriving company that now employs over 3,000 professionals, most of them software engineers, and reported a turnover of €229 million in 2024. CTW is deeply integrated into BMW’s digital ecosystem, developing software that powers everything from autonomous driving features to intelligent voice assistants and next-generation production systems.

What makes this partnership remarkable is the strategic advantage that Portugal offers. The country is home to some of Europe’s top universities, producing a steady stream of highly skilled engineering graduates. Lisbon, Porto, and Braga. Cities where CTW has established offices are not just geographical choices; they’re talent hubs with deep pools of digital expertise. This access to well-trained professionals allows multinational companies like BMW to scale complex software projects rapidly and efficiently.

For BMW, the decision to partner with Critical Software and invest in Portugal has paid off in spades. CTW has played a vital role in some of BMW’s most forward-looking initiatives, including the development of the NEUE KLASSE vehicle architecture and innovative autonomous driving capabilities in models like the BMW i5 and i7. From intelligent traffic jam handling systems to fatigue-detection software that enhances driver safety, CTW’s work is driving real-world impact.

The company is also behind major advancements in BMW’s logistics and factory digitalization, contributing to the efficiency and flexibility of operations like the MINI factory in Oxford. It was instrumental in launching BMW’s new Direct Sales model (The New Retail) and has collaborated on voice-assistant technologies through partnerships with Amazon. These contributions go far beyond backend systems, they shape how millions of people experience their vehicles every day.

By establishing such a high-performing tech center in Portugal, BMW has tapped into not just technical capability, but also a culture of innovation and agility. Portuguese engineers are proving that they can compete on a global scale, delivering solutions at the forefront of automotive and digital transformation.

As the automotive industry evolves and driven by electrification, automation, and AI. Partnerships like that of BMW and Critical Software underscore a vital truth: Portugal is not just keeping pace with innovation; it’s helping lead the way. For multinational companies looking to the future, investing in Portuguese talent isn't just a smart move but more than that it's a strategic imperative.

Author

Paulo Lopes is a multi-talent Portuguese citizen who made his Master of Economics in Switzerland and studied law at Lusófona in Lisbon - CEO of Casaiberia in Lisbon and Algarve.

Paulo Lopes