INESC Porto was founded on 18th December 1998 with INESC, the University of Porto and the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Port as its founding associates. In June 2006, the Faculty of Science of the University of Porto and the Polytechnic Institute of Porto also became INESC Porto associates.

The University of Porto, INESC and the Polytechnic Institute of Porto are INESC Porto’s current associates. The Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Science of the University of Porto were independent associates until they were absorbed by the University of Porto when it became a Foundation.

INESC Porto was originally the INESC branch in Porto that was founded in May 1985, but following a profound restructuring process each branch gained its own area of specialisation. This resulted in each branch becoming an independent institution. Nowadays, INESC is a model for strategic orientation and national consolidation.