Opportunities & Events

Stay up to date with programs, calls, and moments that bring the Portuguese startup ecosystem together. From funding opportunities to workshops and conferences, this is where you’ll find everything happening across the ecosystem — and how you can take part.

OPPORTUNITY RADAR

 

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARDS 2026 | 23 September

The Entrepreneurship Awards, by Unicorn Factory Lisboa, aim to unite the ecosystem in celebrating the accomplishments and successes of distinguished entrepreneurs and startups. Nominations are open until 18 September, and applications until 23 September.

 

PME PITCH AWARDS 2026 | 16 October

Part of the Fórum PME Magazine (28 October, Taguspark, Oeiras), these awards give startups, micro-businesses, and early-stage founders a 3-minute pitch in front of an investor jury and a live audience. The winner walks away with €5,000.

 

HACKATHON CLIMATE U 2026 | 1 October

Run by Comunidade LIDERA with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, this free hackathon (10 October, in Lisbon) brings together young people aged 15 to 35 to turn climate ideas into projects, with mentors and a jury on the day. Come with an early idea or a project already in motion.

 

STARTUP MATCHBOX | open call

Startup Matchbox connects companies with real challenges to startups with ready-to-implement solutions, promoting collaboration, experimentation, and value creation.

MORE OPPORTUNITIES

EVENTS FOR YOUR AGENDA!

 

STARTUP LEIRIA | B1LD SUMMIT | 25 September

Startup Leiria brings startups, industry, and the public sector together in Leiria to tackle economic resilience after Storm Kristin. The action-focused format runs on focus groups, where participants map critical problems and co-create practical solutions to help the region recover. Book your spot here.

 

TECHSTARS STARTUP WEEKEND PORTO | 25-27 September

Fifty-four hours to go from idea to pitch. Organised by 351 Startups at LACS Porto, this classic Techstars format has you form a team on Friday, build over the weekend with mentors and investors on hand, and pitch to judges on Sunday. No idea or team required to join. Register here.

 

MORE EVENTS!

For even more events, you can also take a look at cool projects such as Innovation Scene PT that show what’s happening in the ecosystem.