Why Portugal
Portugal is becoming the hub for entrepreneurship in Europe and a magnet to talented digital nomads. It’s easy to understand why.
Dynamic
- New Startup Law – with legal definition of startup and fiscal benefits (such as one the most competitive Stock Options regime in Europe);
- +4700 startups and scaleups;
- More than 135 registered incubators;
- An up-to-date ecosystem database, the Ecosystem Mapping Platform;
- Visa programs for startup founders and for hiring the best talent available.
Welcoming
- 7th safest country in the world;
- #15 in InterNations Expat Insider 2024;
- Top 10 MIPEX of countries with best migrant integration policies;
- 300 days of sun per year;
- +900km of coastline;
- 15ºC average temperature;
- Universal Public Health and Education.
Driven
- 6 unicorns (and more coming);
- 8th in the English Proficiency Index (Education First 2023);
- 14 universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2023);
- Startup ecosystem = 1% of national GDP and growing.
Startup Portugal, mainly through the programs it promotes, like Startup Voucher or Startup Visa, is critical for us to start a business and fetch talent. These programs are vital, and I believe they play a good role in the ecosystem.
Rita Ribeiro da Silva
Skoach
It doesn't matter where the startup is located, whether it's in Covilhã, Fundão, Lisbon, Porto or Algarve. The important thing to take into account is to contact Startup Portugal. It is important to make yourself known and to know the various available mechanisms because today there are many. It is essential to speak with Startup Portugal and the entire ecosystem to be able to grow.
Luís de Matos
Follow Inspiration
If you’re looking to expand your market to Europe, Portugal is a great gateway because it has several accelerator programs and incentives that you can look for. I think the startup community knows they can count on Startup Portugal and that smooths out the process of moving and growing here.
Fernando Padovan
Deeploy
All the help Startup Portugal provides to new entrepreneurs is great, and it was certainly vital for us.
Soraya Gadit
Inocrowd
We have always recommended Startup Portugal to many of our friends and colleagues who often need contacts and help to enter the national market.
I believe that not only us, EatTasty, but the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurship in Portugal is the result of the work that has been done by Startup Portugal.
Rui Costa
EatTasty
Everything that Startup Portugal has been doing for the entrepreneurial system in Portugal influences us and other entrepreneurs which ends up benefiting us directly or indirectly.
João Borges
Dreamshaper
No doubt, I think it's not possible to start a company and make it grow without these kinds of support. Startup Portugal is a fundamental aid for the beginning and sustainability of any startup.
Mafalda Ricca
X-PLORA
I have been suggesting to entrepreneurs to reach out to Startup Portugal. Not only those who are starting out, but also those who have become stagnant in their growth. I often tell them that it is a big opportunity to contact Startup Portugal because, in fact, it can change the company's history.
Carlos Magalhães
Wegho
More than the program itself, the fact that Startup Portugal knows us and knows what we are doing, makes it possible for them, who in their daily life get in touch with so many national and international actors, to know what we are looking for and do some matches in a very informal way. And so, I strongly recommend getting closer to the entity that is Startup Portugal.
Bruno Santos Amaro
Vawlt Technologies
Portuguese ecosystem report
A guide to navigate the Portuguese startups community, government initiatives, and incubators and learn with Portugal lessons and best practices.
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