Startup & Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Report 2025

Every year, Startup Portugal, in partnership with Informa D&B, publishes the Startup & Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Report. This report is a comprehensive study of the Portuguese startup landscape, aimed at updating the main indicators of the ecosystem, facilitating the analysis of its evolution, and identifying emerging trends.

1. Portugal has reached the PRR target of 5,000 startups

• There are 5,091 active startups in 2025, representing an 8% growth compared to 2024.
• They account for around 1% of all active companies in Portugal, consolidating the ecosystem as a distinct segment of the national economy.
• Nearly 70% were founded in the last five years, demonstrating strong renewal and dynamism.
• The study is based on companies that could qualify for the official “startup status” under Law No. 21/2023.

2. Economic and employment growth above the national average

• Total turnover: €2.856 billion (+9% YoY)
• Employment: ~28,000 workers (+8% YoY)
• Startups represent 0.8% of total employment and ~1% of GDP.
• Average monthly salary: €2,200 (+10% YoY) — 81% higher than the national average, confirming the sector as a driver of qualified employment.

📊 Trend: the sector is generating jobs faster and with higher wages than traditional SMEs, reinforcing its growing contribution to national productivity.

3. Startups with a strong export orientation

• Exports: €1.571 billion (+5% YoY), equivalent to 1.5% of total national exports.
• More than 55% of startups have significant international activity.
• The technology and knowledge-intensive services sectors account for over 80% of total exports.

4. Ecosystem profile: small tech-driven companies concentrated in Lisbon and Porto

• 89% are micro-enterprises (up to 9 employees).
• Leading sector: Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), accounting for 63% of total turnover.

Geographical distribution:

• Lisbon: 45% of startups
• Porto: 16%
• Braga, Setúbal, and Aveiro showing growth above +5% YoY.

📍 Data confirms a strong concentration in Lisbon and Porto, but also positive signs of expansion in other regions (Setúbal, Évora, Beja, Bragança).

5. Capital structure and governance

89% of startups have national capital, 11% foreign.

• Only 13% are family-owned businesses.
• Leadership remains predominantly male — around 80% of management positions are held by men, showing no significant change from 2024.

6. Financial soundness and low risk (Informa D&B indicators)

• 74% of startups show a “minimal” or “low” risk of insolvency.
• Over 50% have “medium-high” or “high” financial resilience, aligned with the broader tech sector.
• 21% are high-growth companies (annual employment growth >20% over three years).

➡️ The sector demonstrates structural solidity and organic growth, despite the global macroeconomic slowdown.

7. Overall conclusion

Portugal enters 2025 in a phase of consolidation, with a mature, sustainable, and economically relevant ecosystem.

The country has achieved the PRR goal of 5,000 startups, reinforcing its position as an emerging European tech hub with strong performance in talent, innovation, and exports.

The next challenge is to turn scale into impact — helping more startups grow, scale, and internationalize, while strengthening the foundations of capital, talent, and collaboration with large companies and universities.