SIM!

When Ronaldo jumps, the stadium holds its breath. When he lands with that unmistakable “Sim!”, the energy shifts, a spark, a surge, a collective lift.

That same pulse is about to hit Porto again.

SIM Conference returns this week, and once more the city becomes a meeting point for founders, investors, operators, and the people who keep this ecosystem moving forward. The last two editions left me genuinely energized; this year, I’m heading back with even more curiosity about what Portugal is building next.

I’ll be at SIM, fully in the mix, as always and moderating the panel 'Building Community in Portugal' on Friday at 15h20.

If you’re around, reach out. Let’s connect, catch up, compare notes, or simply say hello. These moments matter, and they’re always better shared.

And it’s not just Porto. Over the next days, there’s a wave of ecosystem events happening across the country; from meetups to pitch sessions to community gatherings, and everything in between. If you want to keep track of what’s coming, the Adamastor Agenda has it all mapped out.

From “Sim!” to SIM Conference, see you in Porto.

• 💡 May 14–15 | Sim Conference at Alfândega do Porto Get Adamastor discount: 30% off with SDG30.

• 💡 PIRATE Night on June 24th applications open for free booth + two tickets.

• 💡 Portugal Tech Week returns from November 6 to 15, 2026, and at the heart of it, PTW Palace returns as one of the spaces where the week comes alive. And they are looking for sponsors.

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

See you at the next event.

✍ Quote of the week

“The glorification of entrepreneurship as an end in itself may actually be hurting our economy… Most true entrepreneurs are not business owners, and conversely, many business owners lack the personality traits that define an entrepreneur.”

Paul O’Brien

Highlights of the week

• 🔷 Conferência VC & PE | Risco e Oportunidade num mundo em mudança @FEP.

• 🔷 Reimagining Women’s Health: The Next Frontier | FemTech Portugal x Sword.

• 🔷 Applications for the 7th edition of European Startup Prize for Mobility are open.

• 🔷 Web Summit 2026 announced the first speakers: Larry Li (Founder, Amino Capital); Jen Wong (COO, Reddit); and Richard Socher (CEO, Recursive).

• 🔷 Santander X Do you want to take your startup or scaleup to the global stage of innovation? Applications open until June 30.

Congrats

• 👏 VARTHEO has been selected for the Campus Founders Accelerator Program.

• 👏 Startups taking part of Web Summit Vancouver 2026: CyberX - The Ethical Hacking Services; Enline; Nitrogen Sensing Solutions; Jammin; AtivoLabs; Aivis; DAISEE; and VisionHammer.

• 👏 Savearth raised 400k.

Something to read, listen and watch

• 📚 João Moita and How he helps product teams stay relevant in the age of AI.

ESNA - Europe Startup Nations Alliance: What can you learn from Startup Nations Standard Scoreboard?

• 📚 DUBAI FUTURE FOUNDATION: A Special Report on future opportunities Empowering Youth and Future Generations.

• 📚 Venture Capital Term Sheet Guide 2026 by Glen Waters.

• 🎧 First joint podcast in 10 years: Sam Altman and Greg Brockman finally talked - 10 things matter.

• 🎥 Disrupt with Purpose and Create a Story Worth Sharing by Lubna Forzley-Badr.

• 🎥 Inside term sheet negotiations: in conversation with Dan Bowyer and Emily Wood.

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.