Portugal has consolidated itself as one of the main centers of innovation and technological development in Europe, strategically positioning itself in the global scenario of entrepreneurship and digital transformation. This movement took on particular importance during the 10th edition of Web Summit Lisboa, which reaffirmed the Portuguese capital as a global hub of technology and innovation.
Photo: Credits: Business Rock / DINO
This year’s edition brought together more than 71,000 participants from 157 countries, consolidating Lisbon as one of the world’s leading technology hubs. Guests included actor Cliff Curtis and CEO Chris Smith, who presented initiatives focused on technology solutions with social impact.
According to an article from Diário As Beiras, during the official opening, Paddy Cosgrave, CEO and founder of the Web Summit, highlighted that the startups participating in the 2024 edition “raised more than $750 million in funding in the 12 months following the conference.” The 2025 edition saw “a record number of more than 1,800 investors in attendance,” reinforcing the growing global interest in early-stage companies.
Technology at the service of human dignity
One of the most memorable moments of the event was the participation of actor Cliff Curtis, known for films such as Avatar, Hobbs & Shaw, Training Day and the Fear the Walking Dead series. Alongside Chris Smith, CEO of Bloxx, Curtis presented a project focused on technological solutions for access to housing.
Curtis explained his personal motivation: “I come from communities where homelessness is a harsh reality. Many people simply do not have access to decent housing. Working with Chris on this project is a revolutionary way to approach this problem. What motivates me is the concern for these populations who need housing and do not have access to it.
Chris Smith reinforced the transformative nature of the initiative: “We have been working together for three years, but this is an extremely complex area. The question is how to translate all of this so that people understand.
Coimbra: the example of innovation that inspires Portugal
Alongside the importance of Lisbon, the city of Coimbra has established itself as an international benchmark in science, technology and quality of life. In an interview with the Business Rock podcast, Antonio Carlos Albuquerque, director of the Department of Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, Competitiveness and Investment of Coimbra City Hall, presented impressive figures: “When we arrived, the business volume was 3.7 million euros. Today we are almost at 12 million euros, which has an impact on the city.”
Integration between universities, government and business drives growth
Coimbra’s progress is the result of a strategy of integration between academia, the public sector and the private sector. According to Albuquerque, the point is not to promote the city, but to attract people. “Obviously I don’t want to promote Coimbra on the salary side, but if you don’t have attractive salaries you won’t be able to attract anyone. Today that’s the difference that Coimbra has, and what’s happening in the city is that the number of companies and the volume of business have tripled, which is our goal.”
Business Rock presenter Sandro Ari, also vice president of marketing and partnerships at Pagos, compared the Portuguese scenario to that of Brazil, commenting on the country’s bureaucracy. “In Brazil we have a very large bureaucracy to create a business, and even more so, you have to structure it with talent, with space and, above all, with interaction with the government.”
Innovation in payment methods and social impact
Commenting on the arrival of Softnex – a Brazilian technology group for closed system card brands – Albuquerque highlighted: “Portugal, obviously, does not have the size of Brazil in terms of number of inhabitants, but it also has this need. And, therefore, we are working with Jefferson, so that such a project – a technology for means of payment – can be born in Portugal.
It strengthened the social impact of the initiative. “Above all, it is a company that takes into account an important social character. The difference it can make in the lives of people who cannot have a credit card and an alternative means of payment is the greatest impact that companies in the sector can have.”
Softnex founder Jefferson Gomes highlighted the support received in an interview. “During our trip to Portugal, Albuquerque, in addition to considering it our godfather, also blessed the Softnex project. In a way, we experienced a network of relationships with those who identify with our company. This is what makes a difference in people’s lives.”
Growth indicators in Portugal
Among the most relevant data from the Portuguese ecosystem are:
Coimbra as a model of the future
Combining academic tradition, quality of life and public policies focused on innovation, Coimbra demonstrates that it is possible to build an inclusive, sustainable and competitive environment. The collaboration between the University of Coimbra and the Pedro Nunes Institute remains a central pillar of this progress.
Business Rock: international innovation correspondent
Web Summit Lisboa coverage and exclusive Albuquerque interview reinforce Business Rock Podcast’s commitment to news. The program connects Brazilian audiences to key global trends in technology, entrepreneurship and social impact.
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