Carnaval as a metaphor for entrepreneurship

Carnaval may be Brazil’s global trademark, but we’ve always had our own version. It’s usually a moment to blend in with the locals, feel the culture from the inside, and let yourself be carried by the rhythm.

But this year is different.

The severe storms that hit the country left scars; physical, emotional, and economic. Communities that normally spend months preparing for celebration suddenly found themselves rebuilding homes, supporting neighbors, and rethinking what Carnaval even means in a moment like this. And yet, in true Portuguese fashion, people still show up for each other. They adapt. They create. They keep going.

That resilience is exactly why Carnaval remains such a powerful metaphor for entrepreneurship.

Every year, even in the best of times, Carnaval is built under pressure. Samba groups and local associations reinvent themselves with tight budgets, shifting plans, and unpredictable challenges. This year, the constraints were heavier, but the spirit didn’t break. That’s the startup mindset in its purest form: innovation born from adversity, creativity sharpened by necessity, and the belief that something meaningful can still emerge from chaos.

Carnaval is also a collective act. No one shines alone. Designers, musicians, dancers, volunteers, everyone contributes to a shared vision. The same is true for founders. No startup scales without a community: mentors, partners, early adopters, and the team that shows up even when the confetti is replaced by mud and debris. Community isn’t decoration; it’s infrastructure.

And even in a year like this, boldness still matters. Carnaval rewards those who dare, those who take risks, push boundaries, and bring something unexpected to the avenue. The best entrepreneurial ideas come from that same courage. Playing it safe rarely leads to breakthroughs, in business or in celebration.

At its core, Carnaval, especially this year, reminds us of passion, resilience, and creativity. These are the values that define entrepreneurship at its best. Whether you’re building a company or helping your neighborhood rebuild, success comes from embracing challenges, trusting your people, and having the courage to stand out.

Because in both business and in moments of celebration or recovery, the ones who make an impact are the ones who dare to shine, even when the skies have just cleared.

📍Região Centro need your help:

• Tempestade.SOS

• [email protected]

• Gabinete Reerguer Leiria no Mercado Sant’Ana

• Cáritas Leiria

• www.inpulsar.pt

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

• 💡 Save the date! StartupWeekend Women Loulé will take place next Mar 6, 7 & 8. An inclusive event open to anyone who wants to support and empower women founders and innovators!

• 💡 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

📝Tired of feeling disconnected from your country’s governance Lucas Gros created a web app to follow what’s happening in Parliament. Take a look and give feedback

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

See you at the next event.

✍ Quote of the week

“A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts”

Richard Branson

Highlights of the week

• 🔷 FemTech 101: An Intro to the Portuguese Ecosystem Powering Women’s Health Innovation this Wednesday

• 🔷 Coworking Thursdays this week at Synvert Portugal (Viseu)

• 🔷 If you’re building 𝐀𝐈 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 & 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, this is your final opportunity to join a 𝟏𝟐-𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Check In Tourism 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 connecting startups with leading tourism partners in Portugal. Applications close on Feb 23

• 🔷 From Start-to-Table | Closing Ceremony, next Tuesday

Congrats

• 👏 Trash4Goods won the SIBS Prize

• 👏 10 of the most promising Portuguese startups by EU-Startups: ADECI Group, BM2Solar, BloodFlow, Bloop, Chainreactor, DOJO AI, 👾Jsonify, Litehaus, Manie, and Next Border

• 👏 Delox (spin-off from CIÊNCIAS ULisboa) raised 1.6M

Something to read, listen and watch

📚Startup Weekend Women chega com 54 horas para transformar ideias em startups

📚How Portugal Turns Itself Into a Startup Accelerator and Redefines Innovation

📚The great computer science exodus (and where students are going) by Connie Loizos

📚The race for measuring age and why it matters by Dominique Mosbergen

📚Solutions for construction of a lunar base

• 🎧 Nuno Comando, director da Casa do Impacto, é o convidado de Conversas com CEO

• 🎥 Is AI making us dumb? Breaking down the MIT study

• 🎥 “Desmistificando o Investimento Anjo” com Andrea Piazza e Cintia Mano

• 🎥 Pedro Ribeiro Santos, Armilar: 25 Years of Iberian Tech & The Next Chapter

• 🎥 Clawdbot Explained in 6 minutes (Beginner’s Guide)

• 🎥 Decoding AI IA na Saúde: Porque os Médicos Ainda Perdem Horas em Burocracia? com Medgical

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.