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Adamastor Weekly

Week 16

Where Research Meets Reality

CR

Carlos Resende

Expert Evaluator at the European Commission and Co-founder of Founder Institute Portugal.

5 min read

and Why Portugal Can’t Ignore It

Somewhere along the way, we convinced ourselves that research and execution pull in opposite directions. That one belongs to universities and the other to startups; that research slows you down and the market speeds you up. As if science were a luxury and execution the only thing that matters. It’s a false choice and one that costs Portugal more than we admit.

This week I read Pedro Bizarro’s reflection on reaching one hundred patents. A Portuguese company, born from academic research, shaping a global industry with scientific depth and commercial clarity. It’s a reminder that innovation doesn’t come from choosing between research and business. It comes from refusing to separate them.

In Portugal, we still treat academia and startups like two neighbours who nod politely but never really talk. Universities optimise for publications; startups optimise for survival. One moves slowly, the other too fast. And somewhere in the middle, we lose the opportunity to build things that last. But then comes a very Portuguese truth: We don’t lack talent; we lack translation. Translation between discovery and application. Between theory and product. Between what is possible and what is actually useful.

Feedzai built that bridge early. Not because it was fashionable, but because it was necessary. They proved that deep research is not the enemy of speed, it’s the foundation of defensibility. And they did it from Portugal, which should make us think twice before repeating the old line that “we’re too small”.

I look at Braga effort to become a deep‑tech engine; at Coimbra, which keeps producing scientific talent any country would fight for; at Porto, blending engineering with industry in a way that feels almost inevitable; and at Lisbon, bringing density, ambition and the world knocking at the door. Even Madeira and Faro are starting to find their own angles.

The ingredients are here. What’s missing is alignment.

  • Researchers who see the market as a path to relevance, not a threat.

  • Founders who understand that scientific depth is not a delay, but a moat.

  • Companies willing to invest before the return is obvious.

  • Universities that open the door without fear of losing territory.

  • Policies that reward impact, not just output.

Countries that lead in innovation aren’t the ones with the most research or the most startups. They’re the ones that manage to connect the two.

I feel that Portugal is close, closer than we think. But bridges don’t build themselves and ecosystems don’t mature by accident. If we want to compete globally, we need to stop treating research and business as separate worlds. They are two halves of the same engine. And when they run together, they move a country forward.

Let me close this week’s Adamastor with great news for Portugal’s startup ecosystem. The winning team from Startup Weekend Women Loulé “Closure.” has been selected among the 10 global finalists of the Techstars pitch competition. Out of 38 cities worldwide, “Closure.” will represent Loulé and Portugal in the final online pitch.

What started as one weekend of ideas, courage, and execution is now reaching the global stage. A proud moment for everyone helping grow the startup ecosystem across Portugal reminding us that we can build from anywhere.

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

See you at the next event.

✍ Quote of the week

“Vision without execution is hallucination”

Thomas Edison

Highlights of the week

  • 🔷 The inNOVAetors Academy IS BACK and presents a 6-week intensive designed for action-takers that prioritize execution over discussion. No experience needed—just the drive to turn ideas into impact. Applications open until Apr 20

  • 🔷 How to Master Your Pitch at Nova SBE this Thursday

  • 🔷 Digital Built Accelerator Built for the innovators of construction. Prioritizing Construtech, Contech and New Materials. Applications open until Apr 24

  • 🔷 Subvisual's Starbase in Coimbra this Friday

  • 🔷 The Future Innovators Hackathon: A Road to START Hack. Build bold MVPs in 24 hours, in person with mentors and entrepreneurs from the Unicorn Factory ecosystem. Apply Apr 25

  • 🔷 Applications for the 7th edition of European Startup Prize for Mobility are open

  • 🔷 LisboaUX: launch new AI Job Pages

  • 🔷 omplo Viseu National Pitch Competition​ - Startups can apply here

  • 🔷 START Lisbon Career Fair, will take place on 11 May 2026 at Unicorn Factory Lisbon.

Congrats

  • 👏 GovHorizon raised 292k

  • 👏 Instaleap has been acquired by Instacart

  • 👏 FLASHGuard Project , Dermamatica and clea the top 3 startups at MIT 100k

  • 👏 launch of ​Center for Entrepreneurship, Growth & Competitiveness at Porto Business School

  • 👏 Granter going to the global finale of The Pitch by Deel

Something to read, listen and watch

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.

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A weekly read on Portugal’s startup scene. The raises, the launches, and the stories behind them. Every Tuesday by Carlos Resende, who’s curated it since 2017.

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