Portugal Startup News

Portugal’s startup ecosystem has grown to 5,091 active startups in 2025, an 8% increase from last year, meeting the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) target of 5,000 – part of Portugal’s national strategy under the EU’s post-pandemic recovery program to support innovation and digitalization. 

The figures come from the Startup & Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Report 2025, published by Startup Portugal in partnership with Informa D&B, and based on companies that qualify under Law No. 21/2023, which defines the official startup status in Portugal. 

“Portugal’s startup ecosystem has proven its capacity to grow, to attract talent, and to create value. The next step is to turn this progress into long-term competitiveness – ensuring that startups founded in Portugal can scale globally from here,” Alexandre Santos, president of Startup Portugal, wrote in the report. 

Strong growth across key indicators

The sector now employs around 28,000 people, generates €2.856 billion in turnover, and offers average monthly salaries of €2,200 – 81% higher than the national average. Startups represent 0.8% of total employment and about 1% of Portugal’s GDP.

Nearly 70% of startups were founded in the last five years, showing strong renewal and sustained growth. 

Export performance and global reach

Exports reached €1.571 billion, a 5% year-on-year increase, representing 1.5% of national exports. More than 55% of startups report “significant” international activity, with technology and knowledge-intensive services accounting for over 80% of export value. 

Geographic concentration and diversification

Lisbon and Porto remain the main startup hubs, hosting 45% and 16% of startups respectively. Growth above 5% year on year was recorded in Braga, Setúbal, and Aveiro, with additional expansion in Évora, Beja, and Bragança. 

About 89% of startups are micro-enterprises employing up to nine people, and the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector continues to dominate, generating 63% of total turnover.  

Capital, governance, and gender balance

The report finds that 89% of startups have national capital, while 11% are backed by foreign capital. Family-owned companies represent 13% of the total. Leadership remains predominantly male, with around 80% of management positions held by men – a figure largely unchanged since 2024.

Financial health and growth potential

According to Informa D&B indicators, 74% of startups show “minimal” or “low” risk of insolvency, and over 50% have “medium-high” or “high” financial resilience. 

Despite a challenging global environment, the report notes that Portugal’s startup sector continues to show structural solidity and steady organic growth.

Focus on scale, quality, and collaboration

Startup Portugal emphasizes that the ecosystem is entering a consolidation phase, shifting its focus from expansion to sustainable impact. 

The report outlines a goal of positioning Portugal as a leading startup ecosystem in Southern Europe, supported by innovation, investment, and international cooperation.

“Our ambition for the coming years is clear: to make Portugal the most dynamic and connected startup ecosystem in Southern Europe – a hub where innovation meets global opportunity. That means shifting the focus from the number of startups to the quality, scale, and impact of the ventures being created,” noted the president of Startup Portugal. 

The document also highlights the importance of strengthening collaboration across the ecosystem – between startups, corporates, universities, investors, and government – and maintaining a stable and predictable policy framework that gives founders the confidence to grow and invest in Portugal.

“We have reached more than 5,000 startups – a milestone that once seemed distant. Now the goal is to turn these 5,000 into the foundation for the next generation of scaleups and unicorns, built on innovation, resilience, and purpose,” Santos added.