An ecosystem ready to examine itself

Hello everyone,

Last week I was at IncubX, organised by Startup Portugal, representing the 351 – Portuguese Startup Association.
For two days, the ecosystem stopped worrying about speaking outward, performing for the crowd, or spending energy on the trivial. Instead, it chose introspection, a rare moment where everyone in the room agreed to look inward and speak honestly about what is actually happening on the ground.

The National Network of Incubators (RNi) was there in full force: more than 150 people, representing 67 incubators and 16 other organisations spread across the country. And it’s worth pausing on this: incubators are not a footnote in the Portuguese innovation story, they are one of its invisible foundations.

They are the first safe harbour for thousands of entrepreneurs. They are the ones who welcome projects when they are still embryonic. They are the ones who support founders at the most critical moment, when there is no product, no team, no funding; only conviction.

In many ways, incubators are the quiet engines behind the country’s innovation agenda and the structures that give shape to ambition before ambition becomes a company. They are the ones who keep the pipeline alive. And without a pipeline, there is no ecosystem.

What IncubX made clear is that Portugal doesn’t lack talent, energy or willingness. What it lacks is alignment and the courage to recognise that the organisations closest to the early stages of entrepreneurship are also the ones best positioned to help the country move from ideas to companies, from companies to scale, and from scale to markets.

Incubators are not just community builders.
They are market enablers.
They are continuity engines.
They are the first link in a chain that only works if every link holds.

And last week the ecosystem looked at that chain with the seriousness it deserves.

See you at the next event.

Quote of the week

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
African Proverb

Highlights of the week

Applications open for the Founder Institute Portugal next cohort. Turn your idea into a venture-backed business. Go from idea to business faster than ever before with Founder Institute - the world’s largest AI-native company builder.
SOUTH SUMMIT INDUSTRY & ENERGY BILBAO-BIZKAIA (25&26 Nov) in Bilbao-Bizkaia on energy, mobility and industry, with startups, corporates and investors in the same room. Selected startups pitch with travel covered or get curated corporate meetings through the Buyers Club. Startups can apply until 15 Oct.
On Oct 15, the DNA Cascais auditorium will host the TechID Journey — a hands‑on immersion designed to equip women with practical skills in Artificial Intelligence, leadership development, and active employability. Secure your spot here.
Future Innovators Academia calling all University Students. From campus to the Web Summit stage. University students can submit your pitch deck to Future Innovators Academia by October 16 and your team could pitch live at Web Summit 2026, with tickets and acceleration sessions from Unicorn Factory Lisboa.
Impact Shakers joins forces with Startup Guide for the 4th time for the Startup Guide Summit There will be a pitch competition, taking place in the beautiful church of Casa do Impacto, focused on the power of impact startups working on the critical systems we need for thriving people on a thriving planet. Startups can apply until Oct 19.
B Together 26: B Corp Summit Portugal will take place on Oct 21 in Guimarães, under the theme “The Power of Collective Action to Transform the Economy.” Agenda, Speakers and Tickets (free) here.
Apply for Startup World Cup 2026 Application Form: Road to START Summit, Lisbon next Oct 22 at Nova SBE
Planning your expansion to Lisbon and Europe? Launch in Lisbon by Unicorn Factory is the right step for you! Get the full programme here.
Web Summit 26 first speakers and agenda announced

Congrats

Tryp.com raised 1,9M.
StartupBlink has named Portugal the Most Attractive Startup Ecosystem in Southern Europe at the Startup Ecosystem Awards 2026.
Namespace, raised 42M (Series B).
Nuno Brito Jorge, Leo Gutson, and Carlos Prieto Carrasco started the creation of Impact Angels Club.
BRAINR just won the 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 2026 at Alimentaria FoodTech, in Barcelona.
Hector the Headhunter won the The Lisbon MBA Católica | Nova, Entrepreneurship Contest pitch competition.

Something to read, listen and watch

📚 E se todas as semanas fossem como a da Portugal Tech Week / Web Summit? by Fernando Jardim
📚 Ten things I brought back from the Lenny & Friends Summit by Andre Marquet
📚 A guide for founders to understand the difference between raising their Seed round vs. Series A round
📚 How to stay smart in the age of AI: the science of critical thinking
🎧 Tech Refresh Get Together: Quanto vale o modelo de negócio na tecnologia

🎬 5 Steps For Your Startup: Incubators & Accelerators - A Case Study for Entrepreneurs

🎬 Leadership Has To Be Learned | Simon Sinek

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.