What’s moving the ecosystem: 4 signals worth your attention

Hello everyone,

This week 4 moments worth your attention.

Starting with Lisbon AI Week kicked off Monday turning Lisbon a living lab for Artificial Intelligence. Seven days. One city. Dozens of events. From hackathons and workshops to talks on creativity, healthcare, industrial AI and the questions no one has answered yet. No single venue, no headliner: Lisbon AI Week happens all over the city, hosted by the community that builds here. Most are free, some are ticketed, all are open to anyone. One of the most highlighted event is Lisbon AI. Two days. 32 speakers. 400 builders. No hype decks, no rubber‑chicken dinners. It’s code, talks, and hallway hacking. Labs, founding teams, and engineers deploying models in production; all in the same room, discussing what’s working now and what’s coming next.

On Thursday Startup Portugal marks its 10 year anniversary. A decade of programs, community building, and giving founders a stage. Ten years go fast when the country changes this quickly and the accumulated impact is finally visible in talent, capital, and ambition. A milestone worth celebrating.

On Friday Porto kicks off Techstars Startup Weekend. Three days of raw building energy. Teams formed on the spot, ideas pushed into prototype territory by sheer willpower (and caffeine), mentors sprinting between tables, and that unmistakable vibe that only appears when people gather to build without asking for permission. Porto keeps proving it’s hungry, and it’s not slowing down.

And in Europe, the clock is ticking: 100 days to get EU Inc right. The window is open, and it won’t stay open for long. If we want a European corporate regime that actually serves founders, investors, and companies scaling here, this is the moment. There’s an open letter circulating. Co‑sign it. Make it count.

See you at the next event.

Quote of the week

“From nothing came something without meaning — and suddenly it was already a poem.”
Jorge Palma

Highlights of the week

Applications open for the Founder Institute Portugal next cohort
Porto Techstars Startup Weekend. Three days of raw building energy, starting this Friday, 25 at LACS Porto. Apply for the last spots.
The 11th edition of Road 2 Web Summit by Startup Portugal is open. Up to 125 Portuguese startups get an intensive bootcamp in Porto and Lisbon, a discount on their Web Summit package, and a shot at the Galp prizes. Apply here.
Are you set to make an impact in biotech for planetary health? Biotope Ventures want to hear from you. With our program, you’ll be able to turn your innovation into a viable business. 350k early-stage funding and a tailored growth journey for biotech startups in planetary health. Applications close on Sep 25
SKYHACK Lisbon’s one-day hackathon by LX Launch (Sep 26). We put 50 of the sharpest builders in one room and give them 10 hours to turn a rough idea into something that actually runs. You’ll work alongside mentors, founders and engineers from across Lisbon’s tech scene. Apply here.
Urban Mobility Explained (UMX) Open Call. Apply until Sep 29.
Founder2Founder by Algarve Evolution will select 𝟴 𝗔𝗹𝗴𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲-𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝘅-𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺. - A dedicated mentor - One focused growth plan - Three measurable targets - Monthly reviews to sharpen priorities, improve decisions, and turn ambition into action. For companies already in the market, ready to grow, and open to being challenged. Apply until Sep 30.
Portugal XR Report 2026 - Call for Participation: For the 3rd year in a row, we’re again inviting all organizations to participate in the Portugal XR & Virtual Worlds Report, the reference report for XR, digital twins and converging technologies in Portugal. Thanks to your participation, we’ll be able to identify and analyse the yearly growth of the XR market, talent and investment levels in the country. Participation is open until Sep 30.
Is expanding to Portugal your next move? Discover how with Launch in Lisbon! That is exactly what Launch in Lisbon is designed to make easier. The Unicorn Factory Lisboa program supports international entrepreneurs and companies looking to launch, establish, or expand their operations in Portugal and across Europe. The program is available in both in-person and virtual formats, although virtual participation provides limited access to the full program. Early Bird and virtual tickets are already available here.
PORTUGAL - EUDIS Hackathon 2026 Autumn, registration for the EUDIS Hackathon 2026 Autumn is now live! We are thrilled that you are ready to innovate and build with us. Please complete the registration form to submit your application.
Start From Knowledge be the right program for your project? SFN supports the creation and development of knowledge-based startups, helping turn scientific and technological knowledge into solutions with market potential. The program is aimed at projects connected to higher education and research, supporting the journey from knowledge generated within R&D institutions to the creation of new businesses. More info here.
Applications are open for the European Prize for Women Innovators is an initiative powered by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) and the European Innovation Council (EIC). It celebrates the outstanding achievements of women entrepreneurs from across the EU and Horizon Europe associated countries who are driving positive change for people and the planet through their innovative ventures.
On Oct 15, the DNA Cascais auditorium will host the TechID Journey — a hands‑on immersion designed to equip women with practical skills in Artificial Intelligence, leadership development, and active employability. From Connection to Real Impact: TechID Journey Brings Together Female Leadership, Employability, and AI at DNA Cascais. The event promoted by Ponts brings together major corporate brands, recruitment companies, and media partners to accelerate female presence in the tech ecosystem. Secure your spot here.
Web Summit 26 first speakers and agenda announced

Congrats

Sword Health is acquiring Headspace.
Quartz, founded by André Silva and Mateus Mesquita Alves, raised 3.2M.
DeskAmigo has secured 350K in pre-seed funding.
Catarina Kemper Marcelo Lebre (Remote) and Nuno Sebastiao (Feedzai)were selected as finalists for Digital Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2026 Navegantes XXI Awards.

Something to read, listen and watch

📚 Carlos Resende: Muito para lá da Web Summit: o ecossistema empreendedor em movimento
📚 O funding 'gap’ não se resolve com prémios. Resolve-se com acesso by Carolina Almeida Cruz
📚 Building LogiCola’s new design language from what I found reverse-engineering the 2008 original by Malik Piara
📚 Try the Build Up Labs Co-founder Equity Split Calculator .The current version provides a structured starting point based on time commitment, financial investment, relevant experience, and role criticality.
📚 Venture Institute: What Eight Weeks Taught Me by Diogo Mendonça
📚 The Elephant Does Not Read the Constitution by Pedro Santa Clara
🎧 Complete history and strategy of The Home Depot by acquired.fm
🎬 Estratégia de Produto Quando a Rapidez é uma Commodity by Krasi Bozhinkova

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.