The Entrepreneurial Association of the Leiria Region dates from the 25th June 1985, when NERLEI – Entrepreneurial Centre of the Leiria Region was founded, with the aim of filling a gap in the associative movement in the District of Leiria and also to contribute to the assertion of the Region on a national level.

In 1991, six years after being appointed as a delegation of AIP (Portuguese Industrial Association), NERLEI achieves a structure which is capable of developing itself by its own means and becomes autonomous, meanwhile enjoying until today a very close relationship with that national association.

Following on from this process of autonomy, in 1998 NERLEI changes its name from NERLEI – Entrepreneurial Centre of the Leiria Region to NERLEI – Entrepreneurial Association of the Leiria Region.

NERLEI is a non-profit-making association with a public utility status granted by a ruling published in the official gazette (Diário da República) on the 23th January 1992.