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Adamastor Weekly

Shape The Future | Week #6

CR

Carlos Resende

Expert Evaluator at the European Commission and Co-founder of Founder Institute Portugal.

17 min read

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. Today’s technology and resources offer them more opportunities than ever to tackle global issues. Born problem-solvers, entrepreneurs constantly seek better ways to do things.

Portuguese startups exemplify this, thriving on challenges and creating solutions that impact lives.

Like modern-day superheroes, entrepreneurs spot problems and turn them into opportunities, leaving a lasting mark on the world. The thrill lies in knowing their problem-solving skills can make a real difference. Entrepreneurs will solve the world’s problems.

Startup Digest Portugal plays its role in supporting this entrepreneurial spirit by curating and sharing valuable resources, events, and insights tailored to the Portuguese startup ecosystem. By connecting founders, investors, and innovators, it fosters collaboration, accelerates growth, and helps turn bold ideas into impactful solutions. In a world that needs problem-solvers more than ever, Startup Digest Portugal empowers entrepreneurs to rise to the challenge and shape the future.

  • 📣 sign up & spread the word via this link: https://read.letterhead.email/techstars-portugal

  • 📍 After two successful editions in Porto and Lisbon, Techstars Startup Weekend is set to make an exciting return, expanding to three cities: Coimbra (Mar 14), Albufeira (Apr 04), and Évora (May 09)

  • 📍 LisboaUX is looking for speakers for the LisboaUX Monthly Talks. More info here

  • 📍 SIM = Startups & Investment Matching! Powered by @Startup Portugal, this conference connects startups, entrepreneurs, and investors for two days of networking, insights, and opportunities to grow your business. Tickets are available. Secure your spot !

  • 📍 Contribute to the newly launched call for evidence and help design the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy to support startups and smaller companies to grow in the Single Market and cut red tape

  • 📍 MONEYTALKS with the noble mission of improving financial and economic literacy in Portugal, this event will take place in Evora next March 29 & 30. We have a promo code for our readers. Apply here with 10% discount (STARTUPDIGEST)

  • 🪕🎶 another Lisbon Tech Fado Dinner is coming up soon - Thursday, the 27th - an exclusive live Fado concert from Fiona French Fadista and meaningful curated connections. It’s the perfect way to experience what makes Lisbon today, at its finest. 10e off for our Readers Book here

Week highlights go to:

  • 🔷 Startup Grind 1st event of the year! “I have an idea, now what?” will focus on the essential first steps everyone must take: moving from idea to action. This is where every successful startup journey begins, and in this event, we’ll explore how we can do it. This Wednesday

  • 🔷 Impact Hub Penha de França is troughing a whole week of free cowork (will run out fast)

  • 🔷 GeekSessionsConf - Tech Conference in Faro. A must-attend event for software developers and tech enthusiasts & Geek Girls Portugal Conference 2025: Apply to give a talk or a workshop! Submissions until Feb 22

Congrats:

  • 👏 The first 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝗜 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗟𝗮𝗯 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 at FhP-AICOS

  • 👏 Curious Cotton, BRAINR , and ADECI Group awarded at Lisbon Food Affair

  • 👏 Noxus has just secured a 1.5M Pre-seed round

  • 👏 Relive announces a 6M round

  • 👏 Ana Teresa Maia was recognized by European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) and the EUeic Women Leadership Programme as one of four women innovators in technology, healthcare, and space exploration

  • 👏 Hope Care opens new office in Paris

  • 👏 Canopy Community, the innovative startup ecosystem builder, kicked off its first 2025 Founder Program.

✍ Quote of the Day

by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail

Joseph E. Stiglitz

📚 🎧 🎥

Plan your week 📅 Fev 18>>

Fev 18

FuckUp Nights Porto Fuckup Nights (FuN) is a global movement and community that shares stories of professional failure. F Read more.

#9 Lisbon GenAI Meetup | Tech Pannel: AI & Organisations 🤝 SITIO; ai.pt; AIhub Lisbon GenAI Community is back with a powerhouse panel!** The #9 Lisbon GenAI Meetup is kicking off 2025 with an unmissable discussion on how businesses can strat Read more.

Orbit | AI Event · Laika Ventures and DeHouse are organizing a networking event at DeHouse Península for people working with AI or who are just curious about it. Everyone hears… Read more.

Feb 19

  • 💡 I have an idea, now what? | Startup Grind In-person Event - Got an idea but don’t know where to start? Join “I Have an Idea, Now What?” to learn the first steps to turn your idea into action! Le Wagon Lisboa Read more.

Scaleable Leadership Workshop: Helping Founders Build Thriving Companies

Event by COREangels Read more.

LACS Porto - A desmaterialização do dinheiro e os pagamentos digitais Evento grátis com registo obrigatório (lugares limitados). Pense connosco e melhore a sua experiência de pagamentos com soluções que podem ser co-financiadas… Read more.

Orbit | AI Event · Laika Ventures and DeHouse are organizing a networking event at DeHouse Península for people working with AI or who are just curious about it. Everyone hears… Read more.

Metopia | APDC & XRSI Webinar: Responsible Sales in the Metaverse “Responsible sales in the Metaverse” will be the theme of the 3rd edition of Metopia’s webinar cycle. The aim is to debate current sales methods, direct-to-avatar models, AI agents and responsible best practices in commercial transactions in the metaverse Read more.

Feb 20

Are you interested in applying to our Boutique Acceleration Program but still have questions? Join our Info Session to discover how we can help you become investment-ready and gain visibility in our digital showcase. https://boutique-impact.com/ ⏰ 5-6 PM (PT time) Read more.

THE BREAK

Do you believe in life after work? At SITIO, we certainly do! Let’s relax, unwind, and have a blast at “the break” Read more.

(Porto) Soffice | Coworking Thursdays At Soffice, you’ll find the perfect balance between quality workspace and home comfort. A desk just for you, a private room, a one-to-one meeting or a meeting with clients - you choose. We also have a space with a street window that you can rent to display your products. Come and meet us! Read more.

Feb 21

Game Break | February 2025 - Global Game Jam Edition

Game Dev Meet + Global Game Jam 2025 Showcase Read more.

Light Dao Gathering: Unlocking the Science of Going Viral Guest Speaker: Brendan Kane A much sought after speaker, we are fortunate to have Brendan w/ us on Friday in Lisbon. Founder and Managing Director… Read more.

Green Horizons Hackathon

Get ready to hack your way to a greener future at the Green Horizons Hackathon! Read more.

Feb 22

GeekSessionsConf - Tech Conference in Faro, Portugal - Feb 22 A must-attend event for software developers and tech enthusiasts. GeekSessionsConf will take place in Faro, Portugal, on February 22, 2025. Join us! Read more.

Feb 25

Aspiring Female Founders Evening

Aspiring Female Founders Evening is an informal networking event with a professional workshop for starting Female Entrepreneurs. Read more.

Mindstone Lisbon AI Meetup

Delve into the world of AI, explore its practical applications, and marvel at the astonishing projects that are shaping our future. Read more.

PhD Programme in Non-Academic Enviroments

Discover a New Path to Innovation and Growth with FCT Read more.

Green Break | February 2025

Get ready to network for change, at Green Break in February 2025! Read more.

***

Problemattic Lightning Talks

- Feb 26

Helping democratize who can build software Read more.

require('lx’): Optimise, Innovate, Collaborate

require(‘lx’) is a meetup group for JavaScript developers and enthusiasts in Lisbon. Read more.

Hangout #37 | Benefits for my Startup

The monthly Hangout for the Portuguese entrepreneurial ecosystem, where we gather all level players to talk about the community’s challenges Read more.

Startup AI Live Lisbon - Feb 27 Ready to scale your startup’s AI capabilities? Immerse yourself in the world of Artificial Intelligence at Google’s premier event in Lisbon. We’re bringing together top experts from DeepMind, Product, Ventures, and Cloud to unveil the latest advancements, explore the impact of AI on industries, and discuss the investment landscape shaping the future. Discover the power of multimodal AI, the rise of intelligent agents, and gain insights into the rapidly evolving AI market. Join us at the forefront of AI innovation. Read more.

State Budget 2025: Why this is the Right Time to set up your Tech Hub in Portugal: Why this is the Right Time to set up your Tech Hub in Portugal on crowdcast, scheduled to go live on Feb 27, 2025, 03:00 PM GMT. Read more.

Tech Fado Dinner Connect with Tech People & Discover Fado : a unique Dinner Experience to connect from Brain to Soul ✨ Immerse yourself into **a unique experience at the interconnexion of F Read more.

Sui Community Meet Up - Join Us for the First Sui Community Meetup in Lisbon of 2025! Let’s kick off the new year by building on the success of last year’s inaugural Sui meetup. This… Read more.

InnoWomen Hackathon 2.0🚀 · Mar 07

  • 🌊 Hackathon by the beach? Yes, please! 🌴 Win prizes by solving real-world challenges with no-code and AI. No coding skills needed. Next March, the… Read more.

Meet the Startup Ecosystem Porto Edition (In-Person Networking Event) Join us for an exclusive in-person event where you’ll have the opportunity to connect with key representatives from leading entrepreneurial organizations and startups, including João Afonso (UPTEC), Sara Gonçalves (Founder of Actif), and Alexandre Santos (Investor - Partner & Founder at Chamaeleon). They will share invaluable insights into local resources and provide practical tips for successfully launching and growing your startup in Portugal. Read more.

Meet the Startup Ecosystem Lisbon Edition (In-Person Networking Event)

Join us for an in-person event featuring key representatives from leading entrepreneurial organizations and successful startups, including Ana Teresa Maia and Joana Pinto, VC investors Carolina Amorim and Tomás Penaguião, and ecosystem expert João Nunes Rosado. They will share invaluable insights and practical tips on leveraging local resources to successfully launch and grow your startup. Don’t miss this opportunity to empower your entrepreneurial journey—attend and discover the support you need to succeed! Read more.

Startup Funding in Portugal, featuring Plug and Play & Antler - Apr 29

Looking for funding for your startup? Join our interactive, online fundraising workshop to gain practical, step-by-step advice on how to raise capital successfully. Read more.

⏳ Local & International Applications

Deadlines coming up soon:

  • 🔜 Canopy Community, the innovative startup ecosystem builder, kicked off its first 2025 Founder Program yesterday, February 17, 2025, as a groundbreaking remote accelerator. This five-day intensive program is empowering early-stage entrepreneurs from diverse countries including Pakistan, Zambia, Spain, and Madagascar with the tools and connections needed to thrive in today’s competitive startup landscape. For those interested in joining this thriving global startup community, registration is open for upcoming cohorts. Visit https://www.canopy.community/2025-founder-programs to learn more and apply.

  • 🔜 Oportunidade para Startups: Scaling Startups Programme da EIT Urban Mobility A EIT Urban Mobility está a apoiar startups inovadoras nas áreas de mobilidade, cidades inteligentes e sustentabilidade com o Scaling Startups Programme. Este programa oferece suporte personalizado ao crescimento das startups e facilita o acesso a investidores europeus de early-stage. As startups interessadas podem ainda participar numa sessão informativa online, a 13 de fevereiro, para conhecer os objetivos estratégicos do programa, os requisitos e o processo de candidatura. 🔗 Saiba mais e candidate-se até 28 Fev

  • 🔜 GLOBAL HEALTH ACCELERATOR by STARTUP BRAGA is designed to help early to mid-stage startups address global health, biotech, and nanotech challenges. It offers three months of tailored entrepreneurship training, followed by a six-month pilot/POC development phase. Startups gain access to labs, industry partnerships, expert mentorship, and regulatory expertise to refine their products and scale. The program culminates in a Demo Day to showcase innovations to investors and stakeholders. Apply here until Feb 28

  • 🔜 Healthtech founders, this is your chance! Innovation in healthcare is not just an opportunity—it’s a necessity. Portugal has the talent, the institutions, and the ambition to be a global reference in healthtech. Startups like Sword Health, PeekMed®, IPLEXMED, Glooma, and BestHealth4U started their journeys here and are now making an impact worldwide. That’s why Startup Braga designed the Global Health Accelerator to help the next wave of healthtech innovators do the same! 💡 Why to you apply? ✅ A tailored 4-month acceleration program focused on go-to-market strategies ✅ Access to key industry players, investors, and healthcare specialists ✅ A network of credible institutions that can be the turning point for your success ✅ The chance to be part of a thriving ecosystem in a region with huge potential for health innovation

Portugal is building a strong, globally competitive healthtech sector—and this is your opportunity to be part of it. Applications are open until Feb 28th!

  • 🔜 Pitch your BIGidea at Lead Today. Shape Tomorrow. 2025, 8-9 May in Vienna! Are you a female-led or gender-diverse startup in the pre-seed or seed funding stage? Then apply to the

LTST25 Startup Pitch Track and get a chance to showcase your innovation in front of an international audience of entrepreneurs, VCs, and business leaders from the European tech and innovation ecosystem. Apply here by Feb 28th

  • 🔜 Lisboa Innovation takes startups to the global stage and aims to support and foster the city’s innovation ecosystem by ensuring the free participation of Lisboa’s startups in international programs, propelling the city’s startups onto the global stage. Participation on the following program includes free entries for the team, exhibitor presence, and networking opportunities at one or more of the events. Apply here

  • 🔜 Media Open Call 3 AMCC Test Bed, integrada na rede nacional de test beds, é um consórcio formado pelo PCI- Creative Science Park Aveiro Region (PCI), NOS Comunicações e NOS Technology (NOS Group) em parceria com a Universidade de Aveiro (UA), Aveiro Media Competence Center (AMCC) e Google, que consiste num conjunto de infra-estruturas, equipamentos, serviços e conhecimento especializado disponível para as PME e start-ups do setor dos media, para o desenvolvimento e teste de novos produtos e serviços, possibilitando a aceleração do processo Go To Market. Candidaturas aqui

  • 🔜 Business Abroad assegura e apoia a presença de startups portuguesas em conferências internacionais de tecnologia, criando assim um impacto mais significativo nas representações fora do nosso país e permitindo-lhes coordenar as suas comunicações com os ecossistemas internacionais e com os meios de comunicação locais. Candidaturas

  • 🔜 CESAR Europe is looking for innovative startups to join the Test Bed Program, in partnership with MC Sonae, the largest retail group in Portugal. Startups with solutions for retail and wellness now have an opportunity to develop and test their technologies, with the potential to roll-out through the Test Bed. By joining this pilot, companies gain access to expert support and experience for developing a Proof of Concept (PoC) and advancing their TRL. To participate, the company must have a Portuguese Tax ID (NIF) and SME Certificate.

Know someone who could benefit from this opportunity? Spread the word!

  • 🔜 NGI Trust Chain Calling all developers, innovators, researchers, SMEs and entrepreneurs! €1.989.000,00 to employ digital identities, trustworthy data, and already designed novel mechanisms for the ecosystems’ economy, in order to achieve high energy efficiency and optimisation of particular DLTs. We are looking for the most appropriate, relevant and pertinent tradeoffs between the use of technologies, the security of consensus protocols on one side, and the sustainability requirements on the other. A user-centric design, focused on energy efficiency, trustworthiness, and scalability, will guide the development of solutions.

  • 🔜 Applications are now open for the 2nd edition of Bloom Your Biz, a program of the Aga Khan Foundation Portugal in partnership with Unicorn Factory Lisboa! This accelerator program supports startups in the creative industries and technology sectors by providing mentorship, specialized training, resources, and a collaborative community

  • 🔜 local.foundation just released a program that grows your founder mindset. The hands-on workshops have a good balance between personal development, tools and practices that help you to become a more resilient founder. Sign up for a weekend here or choose a week long retreat style course here Both will happen in February

and not so soon: 

  • 📌  EIC Service Catalogue to Accelerate Deep-Tech Innovation Exciting opportunity for deeptech innovators! If you’re a deep-tech startup or SME, this is your chance to access up to €60,000 in funding to scale your innovation with specialised services from the EIC Service Catalogue.Take the chance to accelerate your growth and overcome scaling challenges. Apply today and make an impact

  • 📌   Snowflake and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) join forces once again to ignite innovation and empower AI startups around the world with the Snowflake Startup Challenge! It is a contest for early-stage startups that are building innovative applications and products powered by Snowflake’s AI Data Cloud

Apply today for a chance at $1 million in shared investment, mentorship, and global marketing opportunities with NYSE and Snowflake. Apply before March 1st to be considered!

  • 📌   5.ª edição da Call INNOV-ID, promovida pela Portugal Ventures em parceria com a ANI – Agência Nacional de Inovação e com a colaboração da Startup Portugal. Os projetos e respetivas soluções devem contribuir, de forma direta ou indireta, para um destes eixos: descarbonização da economia; sustentabilidade de processos, produtos e materials;

eficiência e sustentabilidade energética; circularidade da economia. Candidaturas até Mar 02

  • 📌   Grupo Brisa, in partnership with Plug and Play Europe, is launching the open innovation program Ahead Start, with an open call for startups on the mobility space. We are looking for startups in various categories focused on enhancing road safety for workers and clients. For workers, categories include Worker Safety in Work Zones, Efficiency and Process Improvement, and Worker Well-being and Training. For clients, categories focus on ensuring a Smooth and Safe Travel Experience, Information and Communication to Clients, and Enforcement and Driver Education. Why should you join us? 🔹 Pilot and Business Development opportunities 🔹 Access to ecosystem events 🔹 Access to an International Network of Opportunities 🔹 Potential Partnership Opportunities Applications Open – until Mar 31

  • 📌   NOS Open Innovation Program Estão abertas as candidaturas para a Tourism Open Call Com o intuito de apoiar empreendedores no desenvolvimento de soluções inovadoras, o NOS Open Innovation Program pretende dar o suporte necessário às startups para escalarem o seu negócio. Este programa, integrado na Test Bed 5G & Digital Transformation, garante que as startups selecionadas têm suporte técnico e de negócios bem como acesso a uma rede de especialistas para desenvolverem soluções inovadoras. Candidaturas abertas até ao dia 21 de abril

  • 📌   Building a Community and need help to grow? The Product Folks have your back with everything you need, with mentorship, funding, and everything else. Apply here

  • 📌   Netmentora Lisboa by Réseau Entreprendre for women entrepreneurs. Take a look @Wom’Energy

  • 📌   Baby VC Venture Capital has little to no transparency. It is difficult to know the skills required to do the job and it’s even harder to build a network, especially if you have a non-business background. Baby VC exists to bridge this gap. We want to help people from all backgrounds get the insights and connections that are typically hard to access when you are not an insider. unite young and ambitious talent from diverse backgrounds, offering them opportunities to connect and learn from leading investors and entrepreneurs in the two ecosystems. Apply here

  • 📌   Sogrape, in partnership with Beta Capital, is investing in high-potential start-ups that present innovative solutions within the value chain of the wine and beverage sector. Innovators, entrepreneurs, and start-ups are invited to present their projects. Apply to Sogrape Ventures

  • 📌   BioHackathon Europe is an annual event that brings together life scientists from around the world. It is organised by ELIXIR Europe, and offers an intense week of hacking, with over 160 participants working on diverse and exciting projects. The goal is to create code that addresses challenges in bioinformatics research. This year at Campus Belloch near Barcelona, with remote access available if you cannot attend in person. Apply here

  • 🚩  INOVA Quality HUB, incubadora promovida pelo Instituto Português da Qualidade, I.P. (IPQ), tem por objectivo incentivar a criação de negócios inovadores e o desenvolvimento de startups, através da disseminação de uma cultura empresarial para a Gestão da Qualidade. enfoque nas áreas prioritárias da Saúde, Energia e Ambiente, promovidos por empreendedores individuais, estudantes (mestrandos ou doutorandos), startups e spinoffs de empresas. Apply here

  • 🚩  Startup Wise Guys Web3 Accelerator Program: Elevate your Web3 startup to the next level, transform your business, and discover your potential. Apply here

  • 🚩  Future Innovators Program is looking for university students who want to develop a problem-solving mindset to join this journey through a 3-stage Innovation Program that takes you from real-world challenges to developing your business idea. The 1st phase - the Online Academy - is available here

  • 🚩  The Collider Venture Builder – Call for Technologies: Are you a researcher or part of a research team with promising results? Do you want to bring these results to the market so they can have a positive impact on society? The call for technologies is your chance to be considered for The Collider Venture Builder programme. Apply here

  • 🚩  IH Sensor Tech Partnering with the Instituto Hidrográfico from the Portuguese Navy, this open innovation edition drives maritime innovation across five areas: augmented reality software, hydrographic data consolidation, GNSS-denied navigation, real-time data processing and decision-making. Apply here

  • 🚩 consolid8 Deep & inclusive social innovation ecosystems

Please submit your event as early as possible so that we can communicate timely

Techstars Startup Digest Portugal newsletter is curated by:

Carlos Resende

@ LinkedIn

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