A Hard Week, a Stronger Ecosystem

The past week has truly put Portugal to the test. The country faced one of the most severe weather events in recent years, with isolated communities, damaged infrastructure, and thousands of people dealing with material and emotional losses. Moments like these remind us how fragile daily life can be, but also how strong our networks become when everything else seems to fail.

Among those networks, the Tempestade SOS platform stood out immediately. It quickly became a reference point for requests for help, offers of support, and community coordination. In an emergency scenario, the ability to organise information, connect people, and speed up responses makes all the difference. And this initiative showed once again how technology can serve as a tool for collective resilience.

This episode also reminds us of something the Portuguese entrepreneurial ecosystem has already proven in other crises: when the country needs it, the tech community steps forward. During the pandemic, the Tech4Covid19 movement mobilised hundreds of volunteers, startups, and specialists to create solutions in record time; from telemedicine platforms to logistical support systems. It was a clear example of how talent, creativity, and a sense of mission can turn moments of vulnerability into concrete progress.

Today, facing the devastation caused by the extreme weather, the challenge is different, but the principle remains the same. The entrepreneurial ecosystem can and should play an active role in the recovery of the affected areas. Whether through mapping tools, communication solutions, volunteer platforms, reconstruction technologies, or simply by offering skills and time, there is room for everyone to contribute.

Rebuilding is not only physical; it is also social, emotional, and deeply community driven. And this is where Portuguese innovation can once again show its value: bringing people closer, accelerating responses, and creating bridges where before there were barriers.

This week was tough. But it was also a powerful reminder that when the country faces storms — not only the meteorological ones — there is an ecosystem ready to act, to support, and to rebuild. And that is something we can be proud of.

• 💡 Founder Institute Portugal - Portugal Spring 2026 Program is accepting applications

• 💡 Money Talks the biggest financial literacy event in the country, takes place on April 11 & 12. Tickets are now on sale use promocode: ADAMASTOR

• 💡 Pitch Competition – WOMAN SUMMIT 2026 is looking for startups founded or co‑founded by women

• 📝 João Afonso developed a new platform to help entrepreneurs find cofounders with complementary skills by combining online matching tools with in-person pitch and networking events. Join Matching Founders if you haven’t, yet and/or help spread the word

Keep following Adamastor to stay up to date with our ecosystem.

See you at the next event.

✍ Quote of the week

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.“

Winston Churchill

Highlights of the week

• 🔷 Startup HR Pitch & Round Table | APG + 351 - Feb 11: People Management, Change, and Innovation is an after‑work session celebrating the chaotic and brilliant side of leading people in Startups vs. Corporate. With Nuno Duarte, APG, and 351 Startups guiding an evening of rapid‑fire pitches and open conversation about the future of work

• 🔷 Co-working Day for Designers by LisboaUX this Friday at Casa do Impacto

• 🔷 Final reminder to apply until Feb 14 to the South Summit Madrid 2026 Startup Competition, one of Europe’s leading global startup & investment events

• 🔷 Cohort 19 of Hub71 programs, Unicorn Factory Lisboa’s international partner in the UAE. Startups can apply until Feb 15 for the Access program or Hub71+ Life Sciences, both aimed at scalable tech startups between Seed and Series A

• 🔷 Community Council is a 4 day retreat in a Normandy chateau for founders and execs building community-led businesses. Apply until Feb 15 (The croissants await!)

Congrats

• 👏 Portugal has been ranked 1st worldwide in the Global Mobility & Openness category of the StartupBlink Innovators Business Environment Index (IBEI) 2026

Something to read, listen and watch

📚Espaço aos empreendedores por Rodolfo Condessa

• 📚 The Death of Code Won’t Matter by Jaime Jorge

• 📚 Navigating EU Grants: takeaways from 2025 and what to expect in 2026 by Granter

📚Advancing Responsible AI Innovation: A Playbook by World Economic Forum

📚Two Lives, One Thread by Goncalo Gil

• 🎧 App EIGHT no Empreendedores

• 🎧 Winning by Design w/ GTM legend Jacco Van der Kooij

• 🎥 Adora Cheung on How to Set KPIs and Goals: YC Partner Adora Cheung covers the importance of defining and tracking KPIs to understand how effectively your startup is reaching your goals

• 🎥 Bootstrap: A Revolução Silenciosa do Empreendedorismo em Portugal! c/ Afonso Gonçalves e Tiago Ferreira

• 🎥 Lessons from 8-Figure Amazon Brand Exits and The Decisions That Matter Most by Fireside Lisbon

Looking for your next spark of inspiration or connection? Discover what’s happening in the ecosystem—check out the Adamastor Events Calendar and find the perfect event that fits your goals, your vibe, and your stage. From founder meetups to investor talks, there’s something for everyone.