Easter time🐰

Entrepreneurs are wired for possibility. Most are risk‑takers, adventurers, passionate builders who wake up every day ready to chase an opportunity. And even though almost all of them carry a few painful failures in their journey, they still show up again and again, to face challenges head‑on. Failure shapes them; it’s part of the craft.

As a Christian and a very imperfect one, I sometimes wonder whether Jesus could be seen as a kind of “spiritual entrepreneur”. Someone with vision, courage, strategic clarity, and a willingness to take risks for something bigger than Himself. Whether or not one shares that view, the parallel is interesting: purpose, resilience, and service are at the heart of both paths, the same foundations that quietly sustain every entrepreneurial journey.

Before closing, I want to make a rare exception. I don’t usually highlight individuals in our ecosystem — fortunately, there are many who deserve recognition — but I can’t let this moment pass without acknowledging João Rosado, who is leaving Unicorn Factory. João has consistently worked on behalf of the community with dedication, clarity, and generosity, including in projects where I’ve had the privilege to collaborate with him. His contribution has mattered, and it will continue to echo. All the best, João!!

As we enter this Easter break, a moment when many pause, rest, or simply breathe a little deeper, I hope it brings you renewed energy, new aspirations, and a sense of hope for what you’re building.

Wishing you all a peaceful and inspiring Easter time🐰🍛

• 💡 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

• 💡 Tech Hiring Conference 2026 May 07 by Landing.Jobs & Damia Group, tickets on sale

• 💡 Data Makers Fest A international festival for all data practitioners and dedicated to practical data work; less theory, more execution, happening from 4 to 6 May in Porto. We have a discount code for our readers STARTUP-DIGEST-10

• 💡 May 14–15 | Alfândega do Porto Where it all connects: we’re heading to @simconference Two days to meet founders, investors, innovation teams, and ecosystem builders. Curated formats that make conversations more relevant and follow-ups easier. 30% off with SDG30

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

See you at the next event.

✍ Quote of the week

“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there”

Lewis Carroll

Highlights of the week

• 🔷 A Curated Dinner for Designers & Researchers by LisboaUX, tonight!

• 🔷 Bitalk Roundtable - Live @ Unicorn Factory next Apr 07. The theme of this Roundtable Live is: Scaling Up in a Trump World. Secure your place !

• 🔷 Webinar Lean Academy: Da Calamidade à continuidade dos negócios next Apr 07 at Torres Vedras and Aveiro. Limited spots!

• 🔷 Applications are now open for Unicorn Factory Lisboa’s Innovation Summer School, a summer camp for young people ages 14 to 18 designed to foster a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship

Congrats

• 👏 Builtrix, Emissium, Empresta AI, and GreenDash selected for Sage Impact Entrepreneurship Programme

• 👏 Axios Care, Benno AI, Cozecare, Dermaleaf Cosmetics, FermentAtelier, and SEIVA selected for SpinUM – Concurso de Ideias de Negócio da Universidade do Minho / TecMinho

• 👏 Sybilion announced a 3.6M Seed

• 👏 RF Sentinel, Navictus, and ROOTkey are the winners of EUDIS Defence Hackathon

• 👏 Above & Beyond Hangout just celebrated its 50th edition

Something to read, listen and watch

• 📚 André Marquet, CEO da Productized: “Falta uma estratégia nacional para a ´nova defesa”

• 📚 “Os fundadores de start-ups crescem mais depressa juntos” com Stewart Noakes

• 📚 Coverflex | State Of Compensation In Portugal 2026

• 📚 The WHAM Report: The Business Case for Accelerating Women’s Health Investment

• 📚 It’s AI, so I Didn’t Read, we have a new hot term: AI;DR by Alberto Romero

• 📚 The Responsibility of Academics in the Age of AI by Antonio Dias de Figueiredo

• 🎧 Conversas com CEO com Nuno Comando (Casa do Impacto)

• 🎥 Startup Nations Standards Report 2025: Online Launch Event

• 🎥 Stephan Moraes (Indico Capital): Why Not Everybody Should Be an Entrepreneur with Thomas Viguier and Markus Perkumas

• 🎥 From Zero to Hero with Full Stack Claude by Rui Vas

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.