The last Above & Beyond focused on the role of media in a startup’s success. It was widely agreed that media can play a crucial role in the growth of startups and other ecosystem players by increasing visibility, building credibility, and attracting investors. Media exposure helps startups reach a broader audience, strengthening their market presence. Being featured in respected publications or mentioned by reputable journalists enhances credibility, making a startup more trustworthy in the eyes of customers and investors. Since investors seek startups with strong potential and validation, media coverage can serve as a seal of approval, capturing the attention of potential backers. Additionally, mentions in articles, podcasts, or TV programs often lead to increased traffic and interest in the startup’s products or services.

Like any successful partnership, the relationship between startups and the media must be a win-win. Journalists need to be engaged with a startup’s story, and for that to happen, startups must craft a compelling story. Since journalists receive countless coverage requests, the message needs to be clear, concise, and impactful. What makes the startup unique? Does it solve a real problem in an innovative way? Providing data, case studies, and testimonials can help validate a startup’s value proposition and make the story more compelling.

For startups looking to grow and stand out in a competitive market, a well-structured media strategy can make all the difference.

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

• 🚨 Tomas Metello is offering a Free LinkedIn Audit to Startup Digest readers to maximize their LinkedIn presence and ensure they’re communicating strategically. More info in his article at 'Reads’ section

• 🚨 ambi.careers is doing a salary survey for non-tech roles in startups across Spain and Portugal; collecting real salary data —no fluff, no vague “depends on experience” answers. I invite all our readers to answer the survey now

• 🚀 351 is hiring! 351 Portuguese Startup Association is looking for a Business Development & Operations Manager to help grow 351’s community and association, secure sponsorships, and keep things running smoothly. View the job description and apply here

• 📍 SIM Conference in Porto on May 8-9; more speakers confirmed

• 📍 Better Mobility Accelerator Scale your ideas with Europe’s leading innovation network. Application is open until Apr 21

• 📍 Porto!! The Open Call is back w/ 150,000 to boost innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity in Porto! More info @Local & International Applications

• 📍 All Startups with use cases taking advantage of 5G, this is an opportunity to test access to a 5G virtual private mobile network and have a chance to win prizes 5G Challenge Meo Empresas 2025 is accepting applications until Apr 15

Week highlights go to:

• 🔷 After successful editions in Porto, Lisbon, and Coimbra Techstars Startup Weekend is set to make more exciting weekends in Albufeira (Apr 04), and Évora (May 09). Apply here

• 🔷 NOVA SBE Haddad Entrepreunership Institute announced the launch of the GenAI for Startups workshop series. More info @Local & International Applications

• 🔷 Cybertech Acceleration Program by Incubou the 1st cybersecurity acceleration program supported by the Government of Portugal is open for applications until Apr 07 & Hackathon Amarante Edition happens this Friday, Apr 04

Congrats:

• 👏 Daniela Braga was featured among the Top 10 Women in AI 2025 by AI Magazine

• 👏 Hugo Campos (Indie Campers) elected Endeavor Entrepreneur

• 👏 Comudel & Snippets.ai winners of the Incubation Program of Unicorn Factory Winter Batch

• 👏 Royaltea, Bloodflow, and Laya Cycle; the winners of Bloom Your Biz Demo Day by Aga Khan Foundation

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

Portugal’s startup ecosystem is thriving, offering a wealth of resources for aspiring entrepreneurs. However, many are unaware of the options available or how to navigate them effectively. 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.

✍ Quote of the Day

In the long run, the only sustainable competitive advantage is integrity

Warren Buffet

📚 🎧 🎥

• 📚 Angels Way, o fundo que ambiciona democratizar o acesso ao investimento

• 📚 Let’s Be Realistic About Pre-seed Startups by Cintia Mano

• 📚 How Personal Branding on LinkedIn Can Boost Your Business by Tomas Metello

• 📚 From Fintech to DeFi What Changes and How to Stay Ahead by Antonio Grasso

• 📚 The Amsterdam S9+ Declaration

• 📚 World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company’s

• 📚 Lies Entrepreneurs Tell Themselves by Steve Blank

• 📚 Future of jobs report by WEF

• 📚 Key startup ecosystem trends to watch in 2025: insights from ULTRA.VC

• 📚 How can we enhance social mobility in Europe by McKinsey

• 🎧 O papel dos jovens na inovação e no empreendedorismo com Margarida Allen e Francisco Taveira Pinto (UPTEC)

• 🎧 The Venture Mindset w/ Burak Buyukdemir

• 🎥 Decoding AI: Será que a IA pode criar super marketers?

Plan your week 📅 Apr 01>>

Apr 01

Global Innovation Summit 2025 - Apr 01

Read more.

inNOVAetors’ Academy: Design Thinking In this session we will have the pleasure to bring on José Ferreira da Silva, Social Projects Coordinator @ Nova Innovation & Analytics Lab, who will guide… Read more.

Apr 02

Demo Day · Apr 02 We are joining investors and fintechs at The House! Dive into the forefront of financial innovation at our Fintech House Demo Day! Join us for an electrifying… Read more.

Growth hacking Workshop

Unlock powerful growth strategies in this hands-on workshop! Learn data-driven tactics to scale your business effectively. Read more.

Build LLMs From Scratch - AiA: Pre-Training LLMs

Join our event-series to learn how to build Large Language Models (LLMs) from scratch. More info here: Read more.

Meet Female Founders in Algarve! (Please read description),

Please Read! Important information: *This is not a real event, is a way for you to find us :)* **Connect with our Community and our activities here: [https://linktr.ee/ Read more.

Apr 03

Leading the Digital Frontier: Women in Tech Tacking Innovation and Disinformation · This event is dedicated to fostering community, sharing knowledge,… Read more.

Info Sessions: Better Mobility Accelerator 2025

Join the largest European network for accessible, affordable, safe, and sustainable mobility solutions! Read more.

Expio Webinar

Incorporate Smart in the U.S.: Choose the Right Entity and State for non -residents Read more.

Female Founders Sessions: Connect with your WHY Please find all details and register for the event here [https://lu.ma/p6541w5z](https://lu.ma/p6541w5z) !!** ________________________________________________________ Read more.

Apr 04

The Networking Secret | Level Up Series Are you looking to build meaningful professional relationships that drive real career opportunities? - Join us for an evening of **networking and practical learning Read more.

Techstars Startup Weekend Albufeira

Learn how to think, work, and build like a startup in 54 thrilling hours. Read more.

Hackathon Cybertech by Incubou: Edição Amarante

Vem participar no Hackathon Cybertech by Incubou: Edição Amarante e mostra o teu talento na área da tecnologia! Read more.

Porto Motion - Micro Talks 3

Our Third Micro Talks welcomes all Motion Designers and the wider design community to get to know each other. Read more.

Apr 05

Bet24 - 2025 · We present BET24, the largest youth entrepreneurship event in Portugal, within your community of students. In previous editions, BET has gathered more than… Read more.

Vertical Farming: Uma Viagem pela Natureza e Tecnologia

Junta-te a nós para uma experiência imersiva na nossa horta vertical, onde a natureza e a tecnologia se unem para criar uma mistura fascinan Read more.

Apr 08

Pivot after Burnout — Aspiring Female Founders Evening | Have you ever dreamed of becoming a founder or freelancer but felt unsure about leaving your current professional path? This event is especially for the ones PIVOTING AFTER BURNOUT 💥 willing to start something new and heart-led ❤️, hosted by the SheSapiens Team in collaboration with Envision Hub. Read more.

***

Code Your Own Finance Tools with AI: A Social Hangout! Apr 9 Let’s get together for a casual chat on using AI tools like Replit, Cursor, and Bolt to build cool finance apps. No pressure—just fun, ideas, and coding with a focus on Read more.

Power Hour #9: The Future of Work – Strategies in Talent Management

Join us for this informative session on the HR world and the latest employment trends! Read more.

Meet the Startup Ecosystem Lisbon Edition (In-Person Networking Event) - Apr 10 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

Leiria Tech Talks Gran Meetup V3 | OutSystems User Groups

In-person Event - Leiria Tech Talks is back for an exciting new edition in April 2025! Read more.

Quizz - Shutdown 1º Aniversário · Heeeeey! Shutdown ☕️ está a fazer 1 ano e queremos celebrar com uma noite especial de Quizz! Bilhete: 15€ por equipa Equipas: máximo de 4 pessoas Prémio: 150€… Read more.

Crowdlending 101

Join us for an insightful workshop and networking lunch on Crowdlending with Manuel Nina, Co-Founder & CRO at Goparity. Read more.

Info Sessions: Better Mobility Accelerator 2025

Join the largest European network for accessible, affordable, safe, and sustainable mobility solutions! Read more.

GROWING THE FUTURE: A CELEBRATION OF INNOVATION IN URBAN FARMING

Join us at the University of Sciences (FCUL) for a special event celebrating the future of food, sustainability, and technology. Read more.

Welcome Spring - Apr 11 Unicorn Factory Lisboa has the pleasure of inviting you to attend an exclusive networking event to Welcome the Spring Batch 25’. Read more.

CONNECT | Evento de Lançamento - “Transformar conhecimento em Impacto” Vem conhecer o consórcio CONNECT, desenvolvido pela Casa do Impacto, Universidade Católica Portuguesa e a Universidade Nova de Lisboa. Read more.

Cyber Talks: O Futuro da Cibersegurança

16 abr, 18h | Sítio Vila Nova de Gaia | Convidados: Gonçalo Gil (ROOTKey) e David Silva (CyberX). Inscrições limitadas! Read more.

Porto: Buzz IMPULSE - Apr 23 - é um projeto inovador no panorama universitário nacional criado e desenvolvido pela StartUp BUZZ, que decorre na Faculdade de Economia da Universidade do Porto. O evento estará dividido em 3 dinâmicas: a feira de empreendedorismo, onde os estudantes terão a oportunidade de contactar diretamente com os vários agentes deste ecossistema, startups, incubadoras, scale-ups e empresas de capital de risco; uma Round Table com um painel de convidados do mundo do empreendedorismo; e ainda o Pitch Final do programa de ideação e aceleração de ideias, as BUZZ Sessions. 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.

Universidade Lusíada Porto: JOIN THE GAME: CONNECT FUNDING & TALENT - Apr 29 - Na 1ª edição do jogo em que se pretende facilitar a conexão entre investidores e empreendedores a Universidade Lusíada, no campus do Porto, teve 63 milhões de euros “em jogo”, mas não foram muitas as ideias que conseguiram captar a atenção dos investidores…

Este ano repetimos a edição do “Join the Game: Connect Funding & Talent” para facilitar o encontro entre financiamento e talento, no dia 29 de abril, entre as 17h e as 20h, no Auditório 4 . Convidamos Investidores e Empreendedores a virem a jogo. A inscrição é gratuita, mas obrigatória. Read more.

Hangout #39 | SIM Conference: The Investors Side - Apr 30

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

⏳ Local & International Applications

Deadlines coming up soon:

• 🔔 Canopy Community, the innovative startup ecosystem builder, kicked off its first 2025 Founder Program, on February 17, 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.

🔔 GenAI for startups is intended for startups/SMEs that want to learn how to use AI to improve and optimize their processes and become more competitive in the market. This program is organized by the Haddad Entrepreurship Institute together with the DIH4CN (Digital Innovation Hub for Climate Neutrality) and is a hands-on approach to help you analyze your specific scenario and better understand how to apply Generative AI tools in your startup. The program has limited grants available that cover 100% of the costs, supported by the RRP program.

🔔  Cybertech Acceleration Program by Incubou, o primeiro programa de aceleração para cibersegurança apoiado pelo Governo de Portugal, está com inscrições abertas até 7 de abril. ☑ Porquê participar? Conexão com o ecossistema europeu: Acesso a redes de inovação e cibersegurança ☑ Acesso a investidores e parceiros: Facilita a tua entrada no mercado europeu com networking em Portugal, Reino Unido, Luxemburgo, Brasil e outros países! ☑ Mentoria internacional: Especialistas para validar e escalar a tua solução no mercado-alvo. ☑ Workshops exclusivos: Expansão, captação de investimento e desenvolvimento de produto com fit cultural. ☑ Demoday no Web Summit Lisboa 2025: Apresenta o teu pitch no maior evento de tecnologia e empreendedorismo do mundo.

🔔   até 11 de abril estão a decorrer as candidaturas à 5ª edição do Prémio Best Thesis Award! A Axians Portugal volta a patrocinar esta grande iniciativa! Queremos premiar a inovação dos estudantes do Ensino Superior. Se concluíste um mestrado no ano letivo de 2023/2024 numa das três áreas elegíveis - TIC, Telecomunicações e Media – e numa das escolas do CEE ou das Academias aderentes do Programa UPskill, é de ti que estamos à procura!

🔔   I Bootcamp Empreendedorismo Social Dia 15 de Abril Transforma Ideias em Ações! Estás pronto para fazer a diferença no mundo? O nosso Bootcamp de Empreendedorismo Social é a oportunidade perfeita para jovens do ensino secundário que desejam desenvolver habilidades empreendedoras e criar soluções inovadoras para problemas sociais. Ao longo de um dia serás incentivado a resolver um desafio/problema através de processos inovadores e criativos baseados em situações reais de negócios que promovam mudanças positivas. Durante o bootcamp, terás a oportunidade de: Aprender com Especialistas Desenvolver Habilidades Práticas: Trabalha em equipa para criar um projeto social viável, desde a sua concepção até a apresentação final. Networking: Conecta-te com outros jovens empreendedores e profissionais do setor, criando uma rede de apoio e colaboração. Candidaturas aqui

and not so soon: 

• 📌   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

• 📌   Better Mobility Accelerator: The Mobility Mobility Accelerator is focused on Mobility For All and gives startups access to living labs, cities and corporates for testing solutions, hands-on support and a connection to EIT Urban Mobility’s investments and network. Application deadline is April 21. Register to the info sessions and Apply to the programme.

• 📌   €150,000 to boost innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity in Porto! The Open Call is back with more opportunities to turn the city into a true living lab of ideas. If you’re part of a startup, company, university, research center, or if you’re an artist, designer or creative, this challenge is for you. Three main areas: 🔹 Innovation & Experimentation 🔹 Entrepreneurship 🔹 Creativity Applications until April 21 or 30, depending on the area

Be part of the change and help build a more connected, sustainable and innovative Porto

• 📌   Digital Shiftup Accelerate your business idea or startup by developing your digital MVP WITHOUT coding. Digital ShiftUP is a digital entrepreneurship acceleration program that empowers entrepreneurs and startups to develop scalable digital products using No-Code and AI tools. Here, you will learn how to turn ideas into real solutions without coding or needing a technical team. Apply until May 4

• 📌   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