Olá and Welcome back

When Ronaldo leaps into the air and lands with his iconic “Sim!” celebration, the crowd roars with him — a sound that echoes throughout the stadium. “Sim!” has become a symbol of energy, victory, and passion. Next week, that same spirit will fill Porto at SIMConference (Startups & Investment Matching), powered by Startup Portugal — a major event designed to connect entrepreneurs, startups, and investors, and spark new opportunities.

I was there last year and I’ll be back again — it’s too good to miss. If you’re around, don’t hesitate to reach out — would love to catch up or connect!

From “Sim!” to SIMConference — Let’s Connect in Porto!

This afternoon, I’ll be joining the online event “Startup Funding in Portugal” hosted by Founder Institute Portugal — featuring great insights from Plug and Play, Antler, and Portugal Ventures.

Tomorrow, I’ll be at Startup Portugal’s Above & Beyond event at Ferroviário in Lisbon.

If you’ll be at either one, I’d love to connect and catch up — always great to meet fellow Founders, Digest readers, and Startup enthusiasts in person!

• 🚨 After successful editions in Porto, Lisbon, Coimbra, and Albufeira Techstars Startup Weekend is set to make one more exciting weekend in Évora (May 16, 17 & 18). Apply here

• 🚨 SIM Conference (Startups & Investment Matching) powered by Startup Portugal will take place in Porto from May 8 & 9, and is set to match Entrepreneurs, Startups, and Investors! Don’t miss out! Whether you’re a founder or an investor. Tickets available here

📝Startup Digest friends @The Newsroom are creating a tool to help journalists navigate climate research, track scientific consensus shifts, and identify science-based data points. Please take this survey to shape how this tool will work for you - and gain early access to it!

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

Week highlights go to:

• 🔷 Canopy #demonightlx April 2025 Edition this Wednesday @LISPOLIS

Congrats:

• 👏 Débora Campos, Co-Founder & CEO of AgroGrIN Tech, was awarded the EIT Women Leadership Award

• 👏 Bright Pixel Takes part in a $10M investment round in Picnic Corporate, a cybersecurity firm

Startup Funding in Portugal, featuring Plug and Play, Antler & PV (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. Learn how startup funding works, what you need to prepare before pitching, and where to find the right investors. Hear from successful entrepreneurs who have secured funding and investors who back innovative companies. Get insider tips, understand common pitfalls to avoid, and learn what investors are really looking for. By the end, you’ll have a clear grasp of how equity works and the confidence to take your next steps. Read more.

✍ Quote of the Day

Brilliant thinking is rare, but courage is in even shorter supply than genius

Peter Thiel

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