Scale Up Now

Community Ecossistema For Investors For startups Ecosystem Entrepreneurs Internationalization

Scale Up Now is an internationalization program promoted by Startup Portugal and Plug and Play, designed to prepare startups and scaleups to expand into the United States market. The program is open to all members of the Portuguese innovation ecosystem.

Accelerate your U.S. Expansion

20 - 24 October | Lisboa

Are you ready to scale to the U.S.?
This 5-day capacity-building program provides insights into the North American market and practical tools for entities supporting startup internationalization, through panels, workshops, and success stories.
The first two days will be dedicated to incubators, accelerators, investors, and innovative companies; the next two days to startups; and the final day will feature a Demo Day.

Register now!

🌍 Everything you need to expand to the USA!

💡 What to expect

  • Panels and workshops led by experts on U.S. market entry, regulations, and business culture.
  • 1:1 mentoring sessions with American investors, advisors and ecosystem leaders
  • Networking: access to a vibrant network of founders, incubators, investors, corporates and global partners
  • Prize: five selected startups will receive free access to Plug and Play’s GOAL program and participation in the Plug and Play Silicon Valley Summit in San Francisco, USA.

🎯 Who is it for?

  • Portuguese startups and scaleups aiming to expand internationally and looking for guidance, funding, network and global exposure
  • Incubators and accelerators actively supporting startups as they prepare for international acceleration and investment
  • Investors interested in high-potential startups and the transatlantic innovation pipelines
  • Corporate innovation teams exploring the U.S. market and entrepreneurial ecosystem

📍 Program Details

📅 How is the program organized?

January 19-20

  • Program for: incubators, accelerators, investors, and companies
  • Goal: Equip teams with new tools and methodologies to support startup internationalization and build connections with U.S. investors/incubators.

January 21-22

  • Program for: startups and scaleups
  • Goal: Learn about regulation, business culture, fundraising, sales, and go-to-market strategies. Direct contact with U.S. stakeholders: investors, experts, mentors, and potential partners.

January 23

Demo Day: for the entire Portuguese startup ecosystem

  • Goal: Demo Day featuring 12 startups competing for 5 spots in Plug and Play’s GOAL program, followed by networking and a celebration of Portuguese startup talent and innovation.

Accelerate your U.S. Expansion

January 19 - 23 | Lisboa

Are you ready to scale to the U.S.?
This program connects the Portuguese entrepreneurial ecosystem with the U.S. innovation and investment landscape, through practical sessions, strategic networking, and hands-on mentoring.
Register now!

📍 Program Details:

💡 Mentors and Trainers

Carolin has been in the venture industry for 11 years. Since joining Plug and Play in 2019, she has led over 100 investments and overseen 400+ as part of the EMEA Investment Committee. She supports leading corporations and governments across EMEA and has worked in 20+ countries. Previously, she was a growth-stage investor at Next47 ($2B AuM) and at Siemens Global Innovation Partners (€280M AuM).

Carolin Wais | Partner @ Plug and Play

Judge @ Scale Up Now

Seed/pre-seed investor in tech startups with a Master’s in Business Administration and extensive international experience in advertising tech, mobile apps, video content, and gaming. Skilled in project and people management, strategic partnerships, and ecosystem development.

Borja Aznar-Bonilla | Managing Director @ Plug and Play

Speaker @ Scale Up Now

Partner at Boost Capital, leading deal origination and operations with a focus on Media, Entertainment, and AI. Formerly at Google and Meta, where he led EMEA Creator Programs and managed Android developers in Western Europe. Angel investor, mentor, and board member in several high-growth companies.

Ignacio Monereo | Investor @Boost Capital Partners

Mentor @ Scale Up Now

Lead investor for the Supply Chain Fund at Plug and Play. Originally from Valencia, Spain, now based in the U.S., Juan manages portfolios and delivers insights on trends across the U.S., EU, and LatAm. Holds an MBA in Finance from EDEM Escuela de Empresarios and has worked with founding teams of multiple European startups.

Juan Naveira | Venture Capital @ Plug and Play

Trainer @ Scale Up Now

📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Portuguese startups and innovation-driven organizations — including corporates, accelerators, incubators, and investors – with market traction and a strong ambition to expand to the United States or support their communities in scaling internationally.

The program is especially suited for early to growth-stage startups and scaleups, but is open to any team with strong international potential and mission.

Startups & Scaleups
→ Gain the tools, knowledge, and connections to prepare for U.S. market entry.
→ Learn from U.S. experts. Meet investors. Build your international strategy.

Incubators & Ecosystem Enablers
→ Strengthen your support model and help your startups scale globally.
→ Access practical frameworks, expand your global network.

Innovation-Driven Companies
→ Explore U.S. market innovation ecosystem and take your network international.
→ Understand regulation, culture, and entry strategies first-hand.

Investors & Stakeholders
→ Connect with high-potential startups and the transatlantic innovation pipeline.
→ Discover new deal flow. Engage with founders and experts.

Participation is free of charge, upon registration through the form.

 

Lunch will be provided throughout the program.

  • Access to all workshops, panels, and mentoring sessions
  • Meetings with U.S. investors and market experts
  • Networking with founders, incubators, and ecosystem partners from Portugal and the U.S.
  • Opportunity to win a place in a U.S.-based acceleration and piloting program
  • Daily lunch through January 19-22, and a final cocktail

All sessions will be held in English.

On the first two days, January 19 and 20, the sessions will be especially aimed at entities connected to Portugal’s innovation and technology ecosystem, such as incubators, accelerators, investors, companies with innovation departments, and other organizations contributing to the sector’s development.

On the following days, January 21 and 22, the agenda will focus on startups, preparing them for expansion to the United States. Topics will include market access, legal support, business culture, mentorship, and other essential tools for internationalization.

The program ends with a Demo Day on January 23, where 12 startups, previously selected according to the program’s regulations, will present their projects. Five of them will be awarded direct entry into Plug and Play’s GOAL program in the United States, as well as the opportunity to participate in a major innovation and technology conference in Silicon Valley, San Francisco.

The program will be fully in-person at Startup Portugal’s headquarters in Lisboa (Pavilhão de Portugal).

From January 19 to 22, the program will run from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and on January 23, the event will take place from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

However, the first two days are dedicated to incubators, accelerators, investors, and companies, the following two days to startups, and the final day will feature a Demo Day, where 12 startups will pitch for a chance to join Plug and Play’s soft-landing program in the United States in 2026..

We feature top U.S. ecosystem experts, investors, corporate representatives, accelerators, and advisors with hands-on experience in U.S. market entry.

Yes. Participation for the startups days (January 21 and 22) is key to maximizing value and eligibility for future opportunities.

Selection criteria for the 12 pitching startups are detailed in the program Rules & Regulations.

Yes, Startup Portugal provides the following discounts:

  • Selina: From January 19 to 23, enjoy an 18% discount on the available rate by entering the promo code STARTUPPORTUGAL. Reservations can be canceled free of charge up to 5 days before check-in. Payment will be processed 5 days prior to arrival, when the total amount will be charged to your credit card. Bookings and confirmations must be made through the Selina Portugal website or by email at reservations@selina.pt.
  • Hotel Ikonik Lisboa: From January 16 to 25, benefit from a 15% discount on the available rate using the promo code SUN2026. Reservations can be canceled free of charge up to 2 days before check-in. Book at this link. If you’re unable to open the link, select the hotel manually, enter the promo code in the “Promotional code” field, and click “Search.” The results displayed will already include the best offer with the discount applied.

Yes. Five startups will be selected for an acceleration and piloting program in the U.S., Plug and Play’s Goal Program, offering direct exposure and collaboration with American companies, and tickets to a major innovation summit in the U.S., the Plug and Play Silicon Valley Summit.

Plug and Play is one of the largest global platforms for innovation and investment in startups, headquartered in Silicon Valley, United States. Recognized for its international ecosystem, it connects startups, companies, and investors, driving innovation in sectors such as fintech, mobility, healthcare, energy, sustainability, and more.

Each year, Plug and Play invests in hundreds of early-stage startups and promotes acceleration and internationalization programs in more than 50 cities around the world. Among its collaborations are some of the largest global companies, creating unique opportunities for co-development, investment, and access to international markets.

You can register for free through this form.

Any questions?

Please reach out to us at scaleupnow@startupportugal.com.