According to The Economist, our country was named Economy of the Year among 36 developed economies. Strong GDP growth, low inflation, and a stock market up more than 20% are clear signs that we’re attracting talent and investment, and that the economy is gaining real momentum. Good news, and great publicity.

But let’s stay grounded. This isn’t a medal to over‑celebrate; it’s a signal that we’re a little bit economic healthier than before. The real challenge is to use this moment as a springboard for reforms and to push toward consistent >2% growth. Momentum is momentum but it only matters if we channel it into structural change.

Recently, the 2025 Entrepreneurial Universities Ranking placed Portuguese institutions in strong positions (Adamastor Week 41), marking a milestone in how we measure the role of academia in building entrepreneurial capacity. Twenty years ago, Portugal was seen as a lagging innovator. Today, it’s one of Europe’s fastest improving innovation ecosystems, and our universities are part of that story.

For the startup community, this recognition matters. It strengthens Portugal’s brand as a place where founders can build globally competitive companies. It helps attract international talent, investors, and partners who might not have looked our way before. And it validates the work of ecosystem builders, mentors, and innovation intermediaries who’ve been stitching this fabric together piece by piece.

The benefit is clear: if we align policy, academia, and founders around this momentum, Portugal can move from being “sweet as a pastel de nata” in the headlines to being consistently strong in the metrics that matter; scale‑ups, exits, and global impact.

Momentum is precious, but it only matters if we use it to build something lasting.

💡Productized Lisbon 2026 | Tickets on Sale starting December 16th, and to celebrate the season, with an exclusive 50% Christmas Discount

💡SCALE UP NOW, promoted by Startup Portugal in collaboration with Plug and Play, is a program designed to prepare Portuguese startups for the challenges and opportunities of expanding into the United States market - the world’s largest innovation ecosystem.

💡This questionnaire from a PhD researcher from a Catolica-Lisbon seeks to understand the local innovation ecosystem in Portugal and identify the needs, challenges, and opportunities. Please take a few minutes to complete it, your input matters.

• 🎅 Dec 16 will be the final edition of the year. Kindly take this into account when submitting requests for dissemination.

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

See you at the next event

✍ Quote of the week

“The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do”

Michael Porter

Highlights of the week

• 🔷 E.STORIES@TÉCNICO, today

• 🔷 Ask Me Anything | Scale Up Now by Startup Portugal and Ask Santa for a Unicorn - XMAS Quiz by Startup Grind this Wednesday

• 🔷 Community Leaders Year-End Reflection & Celebration organized by Led by Community, this Friday

• 🔷 Discoveries, the acceleration program that helps tourism startups grow, connect and go global powered by Fabrica de Startups Last days !!

• 🔷 Fundação Jornada has opened applications for its support program for projects led by or focused on young people aged 15..35 with grants of up to 30K. Apply until Dec 16

• 🔷 Portugal & USA: Learnings from an Operator with João Camarate, Dec 19 @UPTEC

Congrats

• 👏 Shine (fintech) acquired by Cegid

• 👏 GreenDash is the winner of the Investor Arenas Final

• 👏 Bloq.it, i-charging and Coverflex make the Deloitte’s “Technology Fast 50 Portugal” Top 3

• 👏 Otitest and ablute won Bologna Innomed Catalyst

• 👏 Spotlite raises 35M

Something to read, listen and watch

📚Which economy did best in 2025? by The Economist

📚Portugal XR Report 2025 by Luis Bravo Martins

📚Tech predictions for 2026 and beyond

📚Deloitte - Fast 50 2025

📚The Dawn of the Renaissance Developer by Werner Vogels

📚Juniper Research Unveils the Top 10 Trends Set to Shape Fintech & Payments in 2026

📚EU agrees on new rules for online fraud protection

• 🎧 Alvaro Mayer - Sair de um buraco e alcançar o sucesso

• 🎥 A verdadeira ameaça representada pela IA: Fukuyama entrevista Alex Stamos

• 🎥 Reinventing Organizations with Product Thinking - Productized

💡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.