The Power of SIM | Week #17

Building on the vibrant energy I experienced last year at the inaugural SIM Conference (Startups & Investment Matching) in Porto, hosted by Startup Portugal at the iconic Alfândega do Porto, I’m thrilled to report that the second edition has not only lived up to the promise but has surpassed it in every way. This year’s event further solidified its position as a pivotal gathering for Portugal’s flourishing entrepreneurial ecosystem.

As I reflected last year, the very essence of a thriving startup ecosystem lies in its community – a collective of individuals drawn together by a shared purpose. Whether that purpose revolves around a groundbreaking product, the growth of a company, a specific industry, or simply the desire to connect and learn, the intentional gathering of minds is what fuels progress.

This year’s SIM Conference amplified the power of our community exponentially. With 3500 attendees, >400 startups, >230 investors, and nearly 200 speakers participating in >100 sessions, the energy and engagement were undeniable. It was clear that the seeds planted in the first edition had taken root and blossomed. The connections felt deeper, the conversations more insightful, and the collective sense of ambition even stronger.

A thriving community, as I noted before, is an invaluable asset. It acts as a catalyst for innovation, provides the framework for scaling ideas and resources, streamlines the pathways to support and success, reinforces the vital network connectivity, and offers crucial insights gleaned from shared experiences. SIMConf demonstrated this value in abundance, with a noticeable increase in the quality and quantity of interactions, the dynamism of the networking sessions, and the tangible sense of collaboration in the air.

Once again, the responsibility lies with all of us – entrepreneurs, community builders, startups, partners, and investors – to continue nurturing this lively and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. We remain the key players in this ongoing narrative. However, this year’s SIM Conference served as a powerful reminder of the incredible momentum we are building together.

The community remains the beating 💙 that keeps the rest of the ecosystem running, and this year, that heartbeat felt even stronger and more resonant. The 2nd edition of the SIM Conference wasn’t just another event; it was a testament to the growing strength and interconnectedness of the Portuguese startup landscape, a resounding success that promises an even brighter future.

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  🚨 After successful editions in Porto, Lisbon, Coimbra, and Albufeira Techstars Startup Weekend is set to make one more exciting weekend in Évora (May 16, 17 & 18). Apply here

• 🚨 All Startups! Startup Summer Experience 2025 Edition is an exciting internship program organized by Nova SBE Haddad Entrepreneurship Institute. This program aims to provide enriching experiences for students while offering valuable support to startups like yours! Learn more about the program here. Apply here until May 18th

📝Open Call for Speakers is now live! If you or someone you know identifies as LGBTQ+, Black, and/or a woman and works in tech, entrepreneurship, or innovation, we’d love to hear from you! We’re looking for short talks (10–15 mins) and potential panelists. Send an email to [email protected]

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Week highlights go to:

• 🔷 RedBridge Lisbon most celebrated return to The Palacio with the theme: Uncorking Wine and Sports: Women Breaking Barriers. This Thursday (I’ll be there)

• 🔷 startUP23 just launched S23 Accelerator Program. Applications are open

• 🔷 Demo Day- Forward#25 at Catolica Lisbon School of Business & Economica this Saturday

• 🔷 GenAI Startup Confessions, a unique open mic event where AI founders and startup folks take the stage to share their funniest failures, most unexpected pivots, or just those “I did this and then that happened…” moments. Next Tuesday @NOVA SBE

• 🔷 7º Meet Up Lispolis: “CORPORATE VENTURE - Como as grandes empresas apoiam Startups”, this Thursday

Congrats:

• 👏 IPLEXMED won the Grand Prize at the SIM Conference

• 👏 sheerME listed in the TOP 10 in the Fitness category of HackerNoon’s Startups of the Year

To be great, be whole; Exclude nothing. Be whole in everything

Fernando Pessoa