The Founder Institute Portugal’s first cohort wrapped last week, and once again it proved something we often forget: ecosystems don’t grow by accident. They grow because people invest time, energy, and belief into helping new founders take their first real steps. FI is one of the few programs that consistently turns raw ambition into structured progress....
February 2, 2026
There's a recurring complaint in Portugal's startup ecosystem: too much support for companies that already exist, not enough for people still figuring things out. Accelerators want traction. Investors want revenue. Incubators want a team and a prototype. But what about the person with a solid idea and no safety net to test it? The Early-Stage Gap This...
January 27, 2026
This week brought two strong signals that Europe is finally accelerating in the right direction for those who build, invest, and scale technology on this continent. First, the President of the European Commission announced progress on EU‑Inc, the long awaited pan-European corporate structure designed to simplify life for anyone operating across borders. A...
January 26, 2026
I’ve been following the Scale Up Now initiative from Startup Portugal. Their ambition is clear and aligned with what our ecosystem needs: a bigger and more powerful presence in the USA. On day one, one of the topics on the table was Startups & Corporates — a partnership still undervalued, in my opinion. Some of the insights shared by Ana Simões (Brisa) and...
January 19, 2026
In 2024 at a Web Summit side-event for venture studios, something became obvious: the gap between American and European studios, and Portuguese studios was huge. We were behind… way behind. Portugal has maybe 10 to 15 venture studios right now. That's not enough. Not even close. So myself and João Pereira from Build Up Labs together with João Neves...
January 15, 2026
For years, the startup core ideology was clear: you need a co‑founder. YC said it. Founder Institute said it. Investors repeated it so often it became muscle memory. Even I, wearing my investor hat, instinctively flagged solo founders as “riskier.” But something is shifting and not slightly, it’s more a structural change in how companies are being...
January 12, 2026
Last year, I highlighted how Portuguese startups continue to prove the country’s ability to turn bold ideas into real, impactful solutions and how that momentum is setting a global standard for innovation. I also noted how investors are paying closer attention to Portugal, drawn by our strategic location, strong talent pool, and increasingly pro‑business...
January 5, 2026
As 2025 comes to an end, I keep coming back to one thing: this ecosystem grows because people show up. Founders who push through uncertainty, mentors who give without expecting anything back, and a community that keeps raising the bar year after year. We’ve had our share of challenges, but we’ve also seen ideas mature, teams evolve, and connections turn...
December 15, 2025
According to The Economist, our country was named Economy of the Year among 36 developed economies. Strong GDP growth, low inflation, and a stock market up more than 20% are clear signs that we’re attracting talent and investment, and that the economy is gaining real momentum. Good news, and great publicity. But let’s stay grounded. This isn’t a medal to...
December 8, 2025
The new 2025 Entrepreneurial Universities Ranking is a milestone in how we measure higher education’s impact in Portugal. How a nation’s universities are valued has long been determined by their research output, academic standing or global rankings. Today, the model is moving: how many startups come out of their halls, how much investment those...
December 2, 2025
Sword Health has announced a landmark partnership with the Greek government to deploy its AI care solutions in the Greek National Health System. This bold step points to a future where artificial intelligence and human clinical teams work side by side, breaking barriers of access, cost, and geography to deliver high‑quality care. Virgílio Bento, Sword’s...
November 24, 2025
Degrees and Dreams Balancing the demands of your studies with the challenges of building a startup is not a common path, yet it’s an incredibly rewarding one. More and more students are starting to ask themselves: “Why wait until graduation to create real impact?” Being a founder while studying can (and will) be chaotic, exhausting and, at times,...
November 15, 2025
I return from this week with a reinforced conviction: the local ecosystem matters. Deeply. It’s where we start, test, fail, and build the resilience needed to reach bigger stages. It’s where founders learn to pitch without slides, build without sleep, and dream without limits. And it’s where global ambition is born; not in isolation, but in community....
November 14, 2025
"The best way to predict the future is to invent it". The quote I selected for this week resonates perfectly with the spirit of Web Summit, where innovation shapes the future of technology and ideas. The Web Summit is right around the corner!! There are a few days for the event that puts all eyes on entrepreneurship in Lisbon! There is a fantastic...
November 3, 2025
An open call to design the future of work, together. Asking the Right Question What will people do when machines can do almost everything? It’s the question that keeps many of us(at least me…) awake at night, not just as entrepreneurs or policymakers, but as parents, teammates, and citizens trying to make sense of what’s coming next. Artificial...
October 31, 2025
Two weeks ago, the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to the groundbreaking research on innovation-driven economic growth. The work confirms what many founders already know: entrepreneurship isn’t a buzzword, it’s the engine of prosperity. Through the lens of creative destruction, they’ve shown how new ideas, startups, and technologies fuel long-term...
October 27, 2025
What was supposed to be a formal interview quickly turned into an open, fun, and inspiring conversation with the team that took home first place at Techstars Startup Weekend Viseu. Over 54 hours of intense collaboration, brainstorming, and pivoting, these entrepreneurs built something real, and in the process, reminded everyone why Portugal’s startup scene...
October 22, 2025
These last few days were a celebration of entrepreneurship in all its vibrant, inclusive glory. We kicked things off at Techstars Week Guimarães, where I had the privilege of joining as a speaker. The energy was electric, the conversations bold, and the commitment to building a more diverse and resilient ecosystem was palpable. Guimarães reminded us once...
October 19, 2025
Last week I had the privilege of attending a book presentation hosted by Ground Capital, featuring AI and the Art of Being Human: A Practical Guide to Thriving with AI While Rediscovering Yourself in the Process by Andrew D. Maynard and Jeffrey D. Abbott. Speaking with Jeffrey Abbott was a magnificent opportunity. His clarity, warmth, and depth of insight...
October 12, 2025
Hosting Techstars Startup Week outside Lisbon or Porto is more than symbolic, it’s a strategic move to unlock innovation across Portugal. While Lisbon and Porto are well-known for their dynamic startup scenes, other smaller towns and regions brim with untapped potential. By bringing an event of this scale to a city like Guimarães, we’re not just creating...
October 8, 2025
In recent years, entrepreneurship in Portugal has taken on a new dimension. Lisbon and Porto have established themselves as central hubs, attracting talent, investment, and international visibility. But something interesting is happening outside these major centers: medium-sized cities are creating their own dynamics, closer to their communities, better...
October 6, 2025
There’s a very Portuguese trait worth reflecting on: the tendency to be relentlessly critical of what is ours. Constructive criticism is undoubtedly a driver of progress. However, when criticism becomes constant, disproportionate, and poorly informed, it ceases to be a tool for improvement and instead becomes a barrier to our own recognition and...
October 2, 2025
Fundão had been on my radar for quite some time, quietly simmering in the background. But it was a presentation by Toni Barreiros that truly opened my eyes to the depth and impact of the work being carried out by the municipality. It struck a chord, something I felt compelled to explore. A recent interview with the mayor, Paulo Fernandes, gave me the final...
September 26, 2025
Last Sunday, the world celebrated World Gratitude Day, and whether by coincidence or perfect timing, it also marked the second day of the Community Leaders Academy, a two-day program devoted to empowering and connecting the changemakers fueling Portugal’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Because if there’s one thing the Portuguese startup ecosystem has...
September 20, 2025
As we move from September into October, we’re entering one of the busiest stretches of the year for the Portuguese entrepreneurial ecosystem. What excites me most is seeing major events spread beyond Lisbon and Porto, with Algarve, Guimarães, Viseu, Leiria, and other cities stepping into the spotlight. This decentralization is crucial: strong local...
September 15, 2025
Portugal has a long tradition of bold, visionary ideas in science and technology. Yet, history shows that many of these ideas failed to take root for lack of consistent institutional support. A striking example is Father Bartolomeu de Gusmão and his famous “passarola”, an experimental hot-air balloon presented in Lisbon in 1709. It was a remarkable vision...
September 10, 2025
How Portuguese Startups can rise in a sector of opportunity? In the wake of global geopolitical turbulence and shifting investment paradigms, a new frontier is emerging for Portuguese startups: defense technology. Once an outlier, defense tech is now yielding national unicorns, international funding, and Europe’s attention. European founders are no longer...
September 5, 2025
Hello everyone and welcome back to Adamastor, Every summer, Portugal faces one of its most dramatic challenges: wildfires. They devastate forests, threaten communities, disrupt industries, and deeply impact the economy and our collective well-being. This is not just an environmental issue, it’s a societal and economic battle that demands innovative...
September 2, 2025
In recent weeks, immigration has dominated the political and social debate in Portugal. Regardless of individual opinions, whether one believes there is or isn't a problem, whether immigration should be more restricted or not, whether it is a valuable asset or a structural challenge, there is one thing we can all agree on: we want the Portuguese economy to...
August 28, 2025
Hello everyone and welcome back to Adamastor, Hope you all had a great summer, whether you unplugged completely, traveled, or just caught up on some long-overdue sleep. Now it’s time to get back to building, connecting, and making things happen. At Adamastor we’re excited to restart our weekly journey together, bringing you the most relevant events,...
August 26, 2025
Talking about public programs for entrepreneurs often leads to one of two extremes: either we pretend they’re magical tools that turn ideas into unicorns, or we dismiss them as useless bureaucracy. Neither is true. Somewhere between ambitious goals and practical limitations, a few programs actually work — quietly, without headlines. The Startup Voucher,...
August 4, 2025
With the upcoming Summer break, it’s that time of the year when we have more time to read, it’s the perfect time to dive into a new book and begin learning a new skill or maybe just find some extra inspiration. Reading is a superpower for founders, and here at Adamastor, we know how important it is to keep growing. This is week#3 of our curated list of...
July 24, 2025
As I write this, two friends — Malik Piara and Nuno Vilaça — are meeting in Dubai. A casual encounter between two Portuguese professionals working in innovation. That moment, together with the work being done by Hub Outono, sparked a simple thought: the Portuguese diaspora is one of our biggest untapped assets in the startup ecosystem. We have talent...
July 21, 2025
As summer unfolds, the learning journey never takes a break. For founders, reading remains a transformative superpower. At Adamastor, I understand the vital role continuous learning plays in growth. That's why, as we dive into this season, I'm thrilled to bring you our curated selection of essential reads. Over the next weeks, we'll spotlight books that can...
July 15, 2025
As temperatures rise across Europe, startups are feeling the heat, not just physically, but financially. The effects go far beyond discomfort: a global study of 17,000 companies found that days above 30 °C lead to an average 8.4% drop in daily revenue and a 26% hit to operating profits. Another analysis of 2.7 million firms across 23 countries revealed that...
July 1, 2025
What makes someone a true entrepreneur? Is it resilience, creativity, risk tolerance or a bit of everything, deeply wired into who they are? This week, I want to explore the idea of "Entrepreneurial DNA" not as a buzzword, but as a serious question every founder should ask themselves. One tool I really appreciate is the Entrepreneur DNA Assessment from the...
June 23, 2025
It’s June the month of the Popular Saints, when Portugal bursts into celebration for Santo António, São Pedro, and, above all, São João. These are not just festivals; they are full-sensory experiences. If you’re in Porto, no description can truly capture the magic, you simply have to be there. In Porto, São João is more than a festival, it’s the night of...
June 16, 2025
With the elections behind us and a new government in place, came the inevitable reveal of its composition. Like many in the ecosystem, I paid close attention to the ministries that influence entrepreneurship, business development, and digital transformation. I wasn’t expecting bold moves, perhaps a few signals of reformist intent, but nothing...
June 9, 2025
As Lisbon gears up for its beloved Santos festivities, a quieter but equally transformative celebration unfolds in the days before: Unicorn Week, a gathering point for visionaries, innovators, and changemakers where innovation meets social impact. This isn’t just about flashy and hype startups or next-gen tech. It’s about building better cities, places...
June 3, 2025
It’s not every day that Portugal grabs global tech attention, but that’s exactly what happened yesterday when Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince posted about our country on X. With +3M views and counting, with strong criticism of our bureaucracy, nonetheless, the country's talent, quality of life, and potential as a tech hub have brought global attention to...
May 27, 2025
Portugal's startup ecosystem is full of opportunities — but too often, early-stage founders stay heads down, building in silence. While focus is essential, the smartest entrepreneurs know when to step out, pitch, get feedback, and plug into the right support systems. From technical mentorship to strategic insight, Portugal offers an increasing number of...
May 20, 2025
Building on the vibrant energy I experienced last year at the inaugural SIM Conference (Startups & Investment Matching) in Porto, hosted by Startup Portugal at the iconic Alfândega do Porto, I'm thrilled to report that the second edition has not only lived up to the promise but has surpassed it in every way. This year's event further solidified its position...
May 13, 2025
Journalist and Founder Elham Mohammadi recently shared an insightful reflection on a question that many in our ecosystem have asked at some point: Why doesn’t Portugal have a flagship startup media publication? As someone curating the Startup Digest Portugal, I’ve witnessed firsthand both the hunger for this type of content and the limitations of our...
May 6, 2025
Olá and Welcome back When Ronaldo leaps into the air and lands with his iconic "Sim!" celebration, the crowd roars with him — a sound that echoes throughout the stadium. "Sim!" has become a symbol of energy, victory, and passion. Next week, that same spirit will fill Porto at SIMConference (Startups & Investment Matching), powered by Startup Portugal — a...
April 29, 2025
Olá and Welcome back This Friday marks the anniversary of the ‘carnation’ revolution. For those of you less familiar with Portuguese history, 25 April 1974 took place as the revolution that ended Portugal’s dictatorship. Named the ‘Carnation Revolution’ from the fact that almost no shots were fired, and carnations were offered to the soldiers when the...
April 22, 2025
Olá and Welcome back to your Startup Digest Portugal!! Last week the Founder Institute Portugal brought the community together in the heart of Lisbon for an evening of networking, learning, and meaningful exchange. The energy inside Fintech House was vibrant and full of momentum — with over 120 attendees, including founders, investors, mentors, and...
April 15, 2025
Recently, I read an article in The Guardian titled "European universities offer ‘scientific asylum’ to US researchers fleeing Trump’s cuts." This headline speaks volumes—not just about the growing instability in the United States but also about the attractiveness of European ecosystems for innovation, research, and entrepreneurship. Almost immediately, an...
April 11, 2025
The last Above & Beyond focused on the role of media in a startup's success. It was widely agreed that media can play a crucial role in the growth of startups and other ecosystem players by increasing visibility, building credibility, and attracting investors. Media exposure helps startups reach a broader audience, strengthening their market presence. Being...
April 3, 2025
A newsletter covering all things startup in Portugal The quote I've selected for this week's edition perfectly captures the spirit of the startup world. In a landscape where uncertainty is the only constant, failure is not just a possibility; it’s an inevitable part of the journey. Yet, Samuel Beckett's quote reframes failure not as an endpoint but as a...
April 3, 2025
A newsletter covering all things startup in Portugal When I think of innovation hubs in Europe, the spotlight often lands on flashy startups and tech giants. Yet, according to the study, "Spin-offs: The Hidden Drivers of Innovation in EU-27", academic and corporate spin-offs are quietly reshaping industries across the continent. Spin-offs leverage deep...
April 3, 2025
A newsletter covering all things startup in Portugal Last Saturday, the world celebrated International Women’s Day, honoring women who have shaped history and continue to drive change for a greener, more just future. While March 8 has passed, the mission of uplifting and empowering women never stops. IWD is a reminder to celebrate progress, acknowledge...
March 11, 2025
Olá and Welcome back to your Startup Digest Portugal!! When it comes to Carnaval, Brazil is king but we also have a fun Carnaval - is not completely unique - with music and plenty of food. It is a time when you really can get to know the locals, take in the culture, and have a blast. Carnaval is a burst of creativity, energy, and bold expression. Behind...
February 25, 2025
A newsletter covering all things startup in Portugal Olá and Welcome back to your Startup Digest Portugal!! (Due to technical issues with Letterhead, several parts of the edition were missing. This is the revised edition for Week #6) The world is in turmoil, but people have always found solutions to its biggest challenges—often led by entrepreneurs....
February 19, 2025
A newsletter covering all things startup in Portugal Olá and Welcome back to your Startup Digest Portugal!! Next Friday, on Valentine's Day, we celebrate a unique love story—the profound bond between a founder and their startup. It’s a tale of passion, courage, and an unyielding commitment that goes far beyond mere business. From the very first spark of...
February 11, 2025
A newsletter covering all things startup in Portugal Olá and Welcome back to your Startup Digest Portugal!! Lisbon ranks as Portugal's top startup ecosystem, holding the 19th spot in Western Europe and 86th globally, according to the latest StartupBlink report. The report also highlights seven other Portuguese cities on the global list: Porto (167th),...
February 4, 2025
A newsletter covering all things startup in Portugal Olá and Welcome back to your Startup Digest Portugal!! When we speak of “ecosystems,” we adopt a forward-thinking approach to analyzing startup success. An ecosystem encompasses the convergence of resources, networks, opportunities, and institutional frameworks that enable companies to thrive. Local...
January 28, 2025
A newsletter covering all things startup in Portugal Olá and Welcome back to your Startup Digest Portugal!! I always associate Blue Monday with one of my favorite bands, New Order, and their iconic song. But today I want to write about the infamous "most depressing day of the year". Officially designated on the third Monday of January, it’s a mix of...
January 21, 2025
A newsletter covering all things startup in Portugal Olá and Welcome back to your Startup Digest Portugal!! As we step into 2025, Portugal's startup ecosystem is ready for significant milestones, fueled by innovation, investment, and collaboration. Here's a glimpse of what readers of Startup Digest Portugal can anticipate this year. Portugal's startup...
January 14, 2025