Matching Founders, a platform designed to help entrepreneurs find co-founders with complementary skills, has launched following its development at UPTEC, the Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto.
The platform combines online matching tools with monthly in-person pitch and networking events across multiple cities worldwide. It is currently starting with Porto as its first active location, with London and Berlin listed as upcoming cities.
The project is supported under the Open Call 2025, an initiative of Câmara Municipal do Porto coordinated by Porto Digital, with additional support from ScaleUp Porto.
UPTEC announced the launch on LinkedIn, stating that the project “connects founders and potential co-founders with complementary skills and shared ambition – online and through in-person pitch events across different cities.”
The platform is free to use, including access to events. “We believe in making founder connections accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation,” the website says.
João Afonso, Head of Business Development for the Cultural and Creative Industries at UPTEC and the person behind the development of the platform, said the initiative was created in response to a common challenge faced by early-stage entrepreneurs and emphasized the importance of face-to-face interaction in forming founding teams.
“The platform helps with discovery, but the real magic happens offline, when founders pitch their ideas, meet face to face with potential co-founders, and figure out if they can genuinely build together,” Afonso wrote on LinkedIn.
According to him, the first in-person event will take place in Porto on February 24.
How the platform works
Users begin by creating a profile describing their skills, experience, and what they are looking for in a co-founder or startup. They can then browse startup ideas or co-founder profiles, supported by a compatibility-matching system that displays scores to highlight potential fit.
Users can connect online or attend monthly in-person events to pitch ideas, network, and form teams.
Profiles can become verified after users check in at an in-person Matching Founders event with the local city host. Verified profiles display a badge indicating active, real participation in the community.
For founders
Founders can register on the platform to publish their startup ideas, search for co-founders by skill set, receive matching suggestions based on profile compatibility, and participate in monthly pitch events.
These features are intended to help founders attract potential partners and accelerate team formation at an early stage.
For co-founders
Individuals looking to join early-stage startups can register as co-founders to browse available startup ideas, showcase their skills and experience, and be discovered by founders seeking specific profiles.
Matching Founders presents this as an opportunity to join promising startups at an early stage and contribute to building new companies from the ground up.
For city hosts
The platform also allows users to apply to become city hosts, who act as community leaders responsible for organizing and managing Matching Founders events in their cities.
This includes securing venues, curating programs, reviewing pitch applications, and growing local founder communities.
To apply, users must first register on the platform as founders or co-founders.
For investors
Matching Founders positions itself as a potential source of early-stage deal flow for angel investors, venture capital firms, and family offices.
According to the platform, investors can gain early access to startup ideas before they reach traditional funding channels, observe how founding teams form and evolve, and access a growing multi-city network of founders.
Matching Founders says it is open to discussions with investors on how the platform could best be used as a structured channel for early-stage opportunities.
For incubators and accelerators
The platform also targets incubators and accelerators as potential partners, presenting itself as a way for them to support newly formed teams, redirect solo founders to find co-founders before applying to formal programs, and strengthen local startup ecosystems.
Matching Founders says it is open to feedback and partnerships worldwide, including co-hosting events, creating referral pathways, and integrating local communities.
Featured image and in-article images: Photos courtesy of UPTEC and João Afonso (via LinkedIn)
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