Founder’s Guide

Accelerators are organizations that promote fixed-term programs aimed at selected companies, providing them with training, support, and mentoring for management teams. These programs offer contacts with experienced entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, business angels, and executives, preparing them for accelerated business growth and new capitalization phases.

An angel investor invests in early-stage or startup companies in exchange for ownership of shares. They may invest alone or as part of a larger group of investors known as angel networks or syndicates.

Building a company without external funding. Through personal savings and generated operating revenue, this method allows founders to reduce the dilution of their stake while maintaining greater control over their business.

It is a rate that analyzes the amount of money a company spends in a given period.

It is an alternative practice for financing a project or venture, through raising investment from a large number of people, usually through digital platforms.

Solutions created with the express purpose of providing advanced technological solutions in areas of smart specialization, based on substantial scientific or engineering challenges.

A digital nomad is a person who works remotely, not being based in a fixed office. They often travel or live in different locations, prioritizing flexibility and a balance between work and family life.

A startup in the early stages of its life cycle, already established, with a validated solution or a clear business model.

A community of stakeholders that promote entrepreneurship at a national and international level, including, for example, entrepreneurs, digital nomads, investors, incubators, educational institutions, public bodies, and companies.

An exit strategy is a tactic executed to liquidate a position created at the start of a project. There are typically three different strategies: a merger with another company, an acquisition, or an initial public offering (IPO). (Source: CB Insights, Investopedia)

The term “3F’s” typically refers to three sources of funding in the startup phase: friends, family, and fools. This includes individuals who invest in startups due to a personal relationship with the entrepreneur or founder, family members, or individuals who invest due to trust in the entrepreneur or a particular interest in the product or service.

Entrepreneurship focused on developing innovative solutions to solve a major societal problem, usually associated with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

A private company valued at over $1 billion whose business is solving a major societal problem.

Incubators are organizations that provide support to new businesses in the early stages of development over a relatively long period through tangible assets (e.g., space and access to equipment) and intangible assets (e.g., guidance or direct or indirect administrative, technical, or business services and access to networks of potential customers, partners, and investors).

A startup valued at one billion US dollars or more that is headquartered in Portugal or has a Portuguese founder.

Return on Investment – ​​Return on investment is the ratio between net profit and investment. ROI is generally used to evaluate the efficiency of an investment or to compare several different investments.

A company’s ability to grow and expand in an efficient, profitable, and sustainable way. Scalable companies grow quickly and efficiently. Often driven by technological processes.

A startup that has already reached maturity, with sustained sales, an international strategy, and/or venture capital investment, demonstrating the conditions or potential for accelerated growth.

An entrepreneur who starts a series of different businesses.

A new company created from an incumbent project, using resources from a department, company, or university.

The time a startup has to operate before running out of funding. In other words, keeping revenues and expenses constant, how long can the startup survive?

A startup valued at one billion US dollars or more in a private market investment round.

A simple description that communicates the benefit of the product or service that you promise to deliver to your customers. Ultimately, it’s what makes the product attractive to the ideal customer. It expresses what the business does better than anyone else and why someone should do business with you or invest in the company.

Venture capital funds are assets, regulated and supervised by the CMVM (Portuguese Securities Market Commission), without legal personality, belonging to the holders of participation units, managed by a management company, and which usually invest for a limited period of time in companies with high development potential, with the aim of increasing the value of their assets.

A startup led by a woman, or with a female founder who holds executive power.