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