Hello everyone, and welcome back,
The Founder Institute Portugal’s first cohort wrapped last week, and once again it proved something we often forget: ecosystems don’t grow by accident. They grow because people invest time, energy, and belief into helping new founders take their first real steps.
FI is one of the few programs that consistently turns raw ambition into structured progress. It demands clarity, discipline, and accountability, three things every founder thinks they have until they’re truly tested. And that’s exactly why programs like this matter. They shorten the learning curve, reduce avoidable mistakes, and give founders a support network that doesn’t vanish after Demo Day.
If we want a stronger Portuguese startup ecosystem, we need more of this: more programs that challenge, more mentors who show up, more founders who dare to start. Cohorts like this one are proof that the pipeline is alive, diverse, and full of potential.
My colleagues Elisa, Fernando, and I took on this mission with a simple belief: that Portugal needs more places where early‑stage founders can grow with structure, ambition, and community. Over 50 mentors joined us, a powerful reminder of the generosity, quality, and openness that define our startup community. Their willingness to give back is one of our ecosystem’s greatest strengths.
Every time a cohort ends, the ecosystem gets a little stronger. Not because of the curriculum alone, but because of the people who choose to build together.
