Summer readings

The weeks before summer break have a particular rhythm. The ecosystem slows down just enough for us to notice the things we usually miss: the conversations that linger, the ideas that finally breathe, the founders who admit, without guilt, that they need a pause.

Next editions follows that cadence. Less noise, more clarity. And because summer is the one moment when reading becomes a form of recovery, I invited a few people I admire to share the books they believe are worth carrying into the break; worth taking to the beach, the countryside, or that café where no one knows us.

The result is exactly what I hoped for: diverse, thoughtful, and refreshingly unaligned. The ecosystem grows when it reads outside its own bubble.

Gabriela Faria Founder at Lisbon Project — Necessary Endings, Henry Cloud A clear-eyed guide to difficult decisions: people, projects, and relationships that must end for growth to happen. As Gabriela puts it, “what got us here won’t get us there.”

Rui Quinta Co-Founder at With Company — Designerly Ways of Knowing, Nigel Cross
A foundational work for anyone who wants to understand design not just as practice, but as a way of knowing and acting in the world. For Rui, it also carries a personal note: Nigel Cross himself was in the audience when he first shared this idea.

João Silva Head of Data & Tech at StartUp Portugal — Lamento de uma América em Ruínas, J. D. Vance A raw portrait of the Rust Belt’s working-class families and the wounds that shape worldviews, votes, and resentments. For João, it’s essential reading for anyone trying to understand how narratives form, and why that matters for technology and AI.

And I included one of my own; Principles: Life and Work, Ray Dalio A book that teaches the discipline of clarity. For anyone building something ( startup, team, life) it’s a reminder that good judgment is rarely accidental and almost always the result of deliberate thinking.

We’ll be here next week, with some more of our guests’ suggestions.

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

See you at the next event.

Quote of the week

“Great founders move fast, make decisions, and don’t wait for permission.”

Sam Altman

Highlights of the week

• Call for Founders! STUDIOS.PT - Portuguese Venture Studio Association is launching the program “Build With…” It’s a matchmaking initiative between founders and venture studios to actually building together. Applications open until July 24.

• ETH Global Come build our decentralized future in Lisbon. Apply to attend next July 24.

• WebSummit 26 announced the first speakers Among are names like Michele Catasta, President & Head of AI, Replit; Marcus Segal, Partner, Andreessen Horowitz; and Jen Wong, COO, Reddit.

• Scaling Up is Unicorn Factory Lisboa’s flagship program for post-seed scaleups ready to grow, raise Series A/B, or expand internationally. Applications open until July 31.

• Tourism Advance by Fábrica de Startups & Turismo de Portugal, this open innovation programme connects startups with hospitality companies seeking innovative solutions to address real business challenges. Find out more here.

• Techstars x EIT Urban Mobility Founder Catalyst. Applications open until Aug 26.

• AltaLab is not a typical accelerator. Selected teams get direct, hands-on support from the AltaLab and AltaIR Capital team and the strongest have a path to funding of up to $50K or $500K, depending on their stage and progress. Starts Sep 07.

Congrats

• Cozecare received an Honourable Mention in the Sustainability and Social Impact category at the Prémio Nacional de Inovação 2026; Augusto Costa Franco of Sigma Easy Charge, was the public’s top‑voted winner of the Innovation Champion Trophy, while the Jury selected Nuno Sebastiao, Feedzai for the Personality Award.

• Leiria City Council will invest €7,500 to integrate the solutions of Guide Sofia, Leiria Concierge, and Work from Leiria into its tourist routes.

• Hephaesnus raised 400k.

Something to read, listen and watch

📚Empreender cansa: o custo emocional de construir uma startup by Carlos Resende

📚Após a queda da Unbabel, a IA nacional resiste e prepara 150 milhões em exportações

📚European data sets

📚Why You Shouldn’t Have An Innovation Portfolio (according to HBR)

🎧AI For Real: Is audio the next AI interface w/ Angelo Giacco (ElevenLabs)

🎧The Most Expensive Money You’ll Ever Raise w/ Wallen founder of business travel platform Engine

🎬Three Money Stories You Need To Tell by Rich Mironov author of “Money Stories”, at Productized Conference 2026

🎬A Regra Estoica Que Salva Qualquer Empreendedor De Enlouquecer c/ André Dionísio, ByTheLaw

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.