Portugal has evolved into the epicenter of a thriving and dynamic environment. The startup ecosystem has risen dramatically in recent years, with over 2,000 businesses now operating in the market. Portugal is an excellent country for entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses; thanks to its high quality of life, abundant talent, and business-friendly atmosphere. Alongside a collaborative approach from both public and private players, the conditions are set for any entrepreneur to thrive in Portugal.
In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of all incubator and accelerator programs in Portugal, along with a short overview of their programs to help you determine a suitable program. The incubators and accelerators in this list have been subdivided into applicability for startups in their 'ideation' or 'launch' stages.
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FULL LIST OF STARTUP INCUBATORS AND ACCELERATORS IN PORTUGAL
Ideation Stage Startup Incubators in Portugal
Full list of ideation-stage startup incubators in Portugal:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Madan Parque is a science and technology park that operates an incubator to encourage the formation of new technology-based enterprises in a variety of scientific fields. The incubator provides a wide range of value-added services with the goal of assisting entrepreneurs in growing and internationalizing their firms. They also provide services including coaching and training and networking with investors for funding.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Blue Biotechnology/Marine/Oceantech
Blue Bio Value is committed to developing ocean-based, long-term solutions for a new blue bioeconomy. They support encouraging science-based and biotech breakthroughs in the marine sector that allows for low, neutral, or even negative carbon emission solutions through their Ideation and Acceleration programs.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Agrifood, Mobility, Cleantech, Manufacturing, DigitalHealth
Building Global Innovators is a startup accelerator that is dedicated to creating value in a sustainable manner. Through a variety of sector-focused programs, they provide startups with the skills and information they need to achieve their environmental, commercial, and economic sustainability objectives. With origins at MIT and a long-standing collaboration with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), they have a proven cutting-edge methodology to promote various areas of innovation. They also carry out a number of EIT programs, including EIT Digital Venture Program and EIT Food Seedbed Incubator.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors
Founded in 2012, Startup Lisboa is a non-profit organization that assists in the formation of businesses and their early years of operation. They offer a diverse array of programs for startups at diverse sectors and stages of growth, which provide entrepreneurs with office space as well as a support system to grow. This includes mentorship, access to strategic collaborations, access to funding, networking activities, learning activities and office hours with domain experts, as well as a knowledge-based community.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors
UPTEC is the science and technology park of the University of Porto that promotes the creation and development of business ventures in the arts, sciences, and technology. They provide a wide range of programs and resources that are necessary for the growth and empowerment of their startups. This includes business development and expert coaching with a selected mentor, as well as knowledge-sharing programs.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Startup Leiria is a technological innovation network that offers a variety of services and programs to aid in the growth of entrepreneurs and businesses. At the ideation stage, they provide assistance in the creation of a roadmap for concept development and prototyping. During the startup acceleration process, they assist startups in gaining early adopters and raising funding.
Launch Stage Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Portugal
Full list of launch stage startup incubators and accelerators in Portugal:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Fabrice de Startups, meaning The Startup Factory, is a startup accelerator whose objective is the creation of new startups that is globally-oriented and capable of growing rapidly. The Startup Factory carries out acceleration programs designed to support the process of creation, validation, and internationalization of startups. These programs follow an innovative methodology that assists startups in translating their idea into viable business, performing market validation, finding new customers, and launching the company.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Energy
Energy Starter is an open innovation initiative by EDP, a global energy company. The initiative is designed to expedite the global energy transition by enabling the co-innovation of new solutions and technologies with startups and scale-ups. Selected startups, EDP specialists, and program partners will work together to discuss prospective projects, accelerating the development of pilot projects, commercial deployments, and investment possibilities. Though not an accelerator program per se, the initiatives grant startups the opportunity to test their solution, build proof of concept, and access a wide pool of mentors and networks within the global energy sector.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: HealthTech, InsurTech, FinTech
Protechting is an open innovation program for startups in the fintech, healthtech and insurtech industries. It is a pilot-focused initiative aimed at fostering collaboration between startups and corporates, including Fosun, Fidelidade, and Hospital da Luz. Through the program, startups will receive access to boot camps and mentorship, as well as opportunities to network and collaborate with corporate partners within the financial, insurance, and health sectors.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Impact
MAZE is an impact investment firm that invests in and accelerates impactful social and environmental startups. They organize the Maze X program, a four-month impact startup accelerator aimed at European entrepreneurs that want to expand their solutions to the European market. The program is tailored to assist each firm with its unique growth challenges and provide them with the resources they need to attract funding and maximize their impact.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors
Grow is a program by José de Mello Group that intends to provide opportunities for startups to collaborate with the group's firms. They are searching for disruptive entrepreneurs with creative and sustainable solutions to health, agriculture, and mobility concerns. Through their program, startups will be able to receive develop their ideas, conduct field tests, obtain real-world market input, and accelerate their launch for real-world applications.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Restaurant Technology, New Sustainable F&B Products
From Start to Table is a startup acceleration program for startups in the restaurant industry that focuses on technology, innovation, and customer experience. With the help of the program's partners and mentors, you will have the chance to verify your idea and develop the prototype. The project's winners will receive EUR10,000 as well as access to incubation at Startup Lisboa.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Founded by entrepreneurs, BuildUP Labs Incubator's objective is to assist fellow founders in developing and growing their businesses. Their Startup Incubation Program offers mentorship and networking opportunities with investors, mentors, corporations, and IT talent to help your firm flourish. You may also work in their co-working space, where you will find a welcoming community of like-minded founders.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology, Biotechnology, Digital Economy, Digital Health Technologies, Nano Technology, Sustainability
Startup Braga was founded as an innovation hub for InvestBraga and is devoted to helping enterprises by providing acceleration and incubation programs for startups working on nanotechnology, health technologies, and the digital economy. The incubation program is designed for early-stage firms that require workspaces with access to a variety of value-added tools and services, whilst the acceleration program is intended to help startups verify and establish their business model.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Tourism
The Journey is an open innovation initiative that intends to co-create effective pilate projects between startups and partners within the tourism industry; finding solutions and supporting innovation and sustainable practices in the industry. The Journey enables startups to co-develop pilot projects and scale their business with corporate partners.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Web 3.0
Poolside is a Web 3.0 ecosystem that provides a full range of services to assist Web 3.0 founders in expanding their Web 3.0 projects. Through their 12-week acceleration program, you will receive guidance and collaborate with mentors to go from idea to product to successful market launch. You'll also receive USD 100,000 in initial funding and potential follow-on capital after the program.
Closing Thoughts on Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Portugal
Portugal has a highly favorable economic climate due to its stable political and social environment, secure society, highly qualified workforce, and excellent quality of life. The entrepreneurial ecosystem is thriving, with numerous opportunities for startups to access support programs, collaborate with top corporations, connect with investors, and reach markets throughout Europe and beyond.