🚀 Startup Voucher: Proof It Works, and One Week Left

There’s a recurring complaint in Portugal’s startup ecosystem: too much support for companies that already exist, not enough for people still figuring things out. Accelerators want traction. Investors want revenue. Incubators want a team and a prototype.

But what about the person with a solid idea and no safety net to test it?

The Early-Stage Gap

This gap matters more than we often admit. Globally, around 90% of startups fail, with lack of product demand responsible for 34% of those failures (CB Insights). Most don’t even get to test the idea properly.

In Europe, the funding gap at the earliest stages is well documented. The State of European Tech report shows that while European startups start as strong as their US counterparts, they’re far less likely to keep scaling.

Portugal has made real progress:

• The 2025 Startup & Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Report shows 5,091 active startups (+8% from 2024).

• The sector accounts for around 28,000 jobs and €2.856 billion in turnover.

• Average salaries in startups are 81% higher than the national average.

The Startup Voucher exists precisely to address the people still figuring things out. And after being part of the first cohort’s evaluation process, I can say it works.

What I Saw From the Inside

I was part of the jury for the selection of projects and for the interim evaluation in Fátima, where we heard 45-second pitches from all the projects. It was spectacular:

• Around 60 beneficiaries across roughly 48 projects.

• People who, a few months earlier, had only an idea were now articulating value propositions and identifying target markets.

• The program includes a Bootcamp, thematic sessions, and technical deep-dives into ESG and Sustainable Development Goals.

The initiative also got airtime on CNN Portugal’s Innovation segment — worth watching to see how mainstream media is framing startup support.

A Wish for 2026: More Bets on People, Not Just Products

If there’s one thing the ecosystem should carry into 2026, it’s this: we need more programs willing to bet on people before they have anything to show.

The Startup Voucher doesn’t ask for a prototype or a team of five; it asks for an idea, a commitment, and willingness to be held accountable. Portugal has the infrastructure; now it needs to give people permission to try.

Why This Should Matter to You

If you’re under 30, hold a degree, aren’t currently employed or studying, and have a tech-based idea, the Startup Voucher meets you where you are.

Key Details:

• Location: You need to have fiscal residence in the North, Center, or Alentejo regions. (Lisbon, Algarve, and the islands are not covered).

• Financial Component: * €900/month for up to 9 months per beneficiary.

  • Two milestone bonuses of €1,500 each.

  • An additional €2,000 bonus if you create your own job.

  • Total: Up to €13,100 per person.

• Beyond the Money: Mentorship through the National Mentors Network and incubation at accredited facilities.

⏳ One Week Left

Applications for the second call (Aviso 2025-02) close on Friday, January 30th, 2026, at 18:00.

• 👉 Submit your application here: IAPMEI Platform - Startup Voucher