Startups and scale-ups looking to accelerate their growth should look no further than Europe’s rising innovation powerhouse, Lisbon. Named the European Capital of Innovation by the European Commission in 2023, Lisbon offers a blend of inspiring startup energy, fused with global ambition. The vibrant city serves as the perfect launchpad for entrepreneurs, with a founder-friendly ecosystem, numerous acceleration programs and soft landing support, such as those offered by Unicorn Factory Lisboa.
We spoke with Unicorn Factory Lisboa Team and Isabel Holguera (IH), International Manager at Unicorn Factory , on the rise of Lisbon as an innovation hub in Europe. The team also shared how startups and scale-ups can benefit from the full range of acceleration programs and soft landing support offered by Unicorn Factory Lisboa. For startups and scale-ups ready to grow, expand, and connect with the future of tech, check out this blog post.
BDD: Firstly, can you tell us why Lisbon a prime location for startups to set up and grow?
UF: Over the past few years, Lisbon has quietly become one of the most exciting cities in Europe to build a startup. Known for its safety and openness, the city has transformed into a global hotspot for innovation, investment, and founder-first support. Being named the European Capital of Innovation is a major recognition driven by initiatives like Unicorn Factory Lisboa, which is helping startups from around the world scale with speed and ambition.
Nicknamed the ‘Unicorn Capital’, Lisbon is home to a booming tech sector that continues to attract founders, investors, and talent from across the globe. Its strategic Atlantic location, high quality of life, and business-friendly policies. This includes programs like Startup visas designed for entrepreneurs, which make both the city and the country a natural choice for international growth.
Initiatives like Unicorn Factory Lisboa have played a role in making that possible. Lisbon’s numbers speak for themselves. The city now hosts 1,200+ startups and raised about €400M in 2022 (80% of that from international investors) and is the home of 14 international Unicorns.
Global rankings back this up too – Lisbon places among the top 40 emerging ecosystems worldwide. It is also home to the Web Summit – the world’s largest tech conference – which annually brings thousands of founders and investors to network and showcase innovations. Together, these factors make Lisbon a natural springboard for startups to scale across Europe and beyond
BDD: Can you tell us more about the initiatives led by Unicorn Factory Lisboa?
UF: Unicorn Factory Lisboa is a flagship innovation initiative powered by the City of Lisbon, created to position Lisbon as one of Europe’s foremost innovation hubs. Inspired by international best practices, the initiative focuses on:
- Supporting founders to start, scale and become global
- Driving an ecosystem of innovation, talent attraction, new projects and investment opportunities.
Between 2023 and 2024, Unicorn Factory Lisboa supported over 500 startups, facilitated €340 million in investment, and attracted more than 70 international tech companies, including 14 unicorns, making Lisbon a truly global innovation center.
The initiative spans several strategic areas, including early-stage incubation for startups, growth-stage programs for scale-ups, soft-landing support for companies looking to expand through Lisbon, innovation hubs focused on specialized verticals like Ai, web3, green mobility and green construction, and gaming.
BDD: What are the different phases and outcomes of each program?
UF: We have four tailored programs and focus areas, each with its own target audience and benefits:
With a founder-driven mindset, we support a selective group of industry-disrupting startups, ensuring they receive the resources and guidance needed to succeed.
Tailored for early-stage startups (pre-seed to seed), this program offers comprehensive, tailored support for startup growth and development (like fundraising support, mentorship, perks, corporate matching, community engagement, and physical spaces). Unlike traditional incubators, our programs are customized to address the unique needs of each startup phase. The first 10 weeks are provided with sessions focused on delivering fundamental insights and tools from experts to founders.
The program works with 4 cohorts per year, one each season (Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter), Applications can be made via this link and are open all year round.
Results: In 2023-24, over 50% of incubated startups had international founders, showcasing the program’s global reach.
This is Portugal’s first acceleration program for growth-stage startups, shaped by international best practices focused on rapid international expansion. The program follows a 8-month acceleration period across 5 pillars: immersive upskilling, mentorship board, vc and corporate matching, international growth and community.
This program works in 2 cohorts a year, with a maximum of 10 scale-ups per cohort. Founders can apply here for the next cohort in July.
Results: Since its launch, 58 scale-ups supported, over €379M raised, and 1,870 jobs created, 60% in Portugal. With 140+ C-level mentors and 100+ investment partners, it’s a reference in Europe for scaling companies.
Unicorn Factory Lisboa offers comprehensive soft-landing support to help international founders and startups establish a presence in Lisbon via two main components:
- Launch in Lisboa Program: a 3-day immersive program offering practical guidance on different topics such as legal, recruiting and tax matters, plus direct access to local experts and networking opportunities. The next edition will take place in November, more information can be found here.
- Tailored Soft-Landing Support: Ongoing, personalized support for startups and founders needing targeted guidance.
Results: More than 200 participants from 50+ nationalities have benefited from the Launch in Lisboa, including editions tailored to specific countries (e.g. Brazil) and Web Summit participants.
Unique spaces focused on high-growth verticals like AI, Gaming, Web3, and Sustainability. These hubs foster vibrant innovation communities that startups, scale-ups, investors, and industry-related players can join physically or online—no application phases required.
BDD: Who can apply? What are the eligibility criteria?
UF:
- Incubation Program Open to early-stage founders (pre-seed and seed), of any nationality, whether onsite or remote. Applicants must have:
- An innovative and scalable product
- A committed and capable founding team
- Product validation or traction
- Scaling Up Program
For growth-stage startups ready for global expansion, it is required:
- Post-seed to series A startups
- Strong team in place
- Product market fit
- Generating revenue
- Clear growth trajectory
- Expanding internationally
- Soft-landing Programs
Open to all tech startups, scale-ups, entrepreneurs, and investors looking to expand into Lisbon.
- Innovation Hubs
Anyone actively working in these fields can apply to join the community, either physically or online.
BDD: So, what can startups expect to achieve following these programs?
UF: All in all, these different programs and hubs help founders grow their business, secure funding, build international strategies, and integrate into the Lisbon tech ecosystem, whether they’re just starting out or scaling globally.
- For the Incubation program, specifically, the end goal is to reach product-market fit, validate business models, and build investor-ready roadmaps.
- For Growth companies in the Scaling Up program, the goal is to tackle growth bottlenecks and execute on international expansion strategies.
- Regarding the Soft-landing support, to navigate the local business landscape in Lisbon and establish a strong foundation for growth.
- The Innovation hubs serve as hotspots of know-how and drivers of innovation, synergies and collaborations between their members. Founders expect to tap into sector-focused communities that foster collaboration and specialized support.
BDD: Which Lebanese startups have you previously supported? Are there any success stories you can share?
UF: While we haven’t yet directly supported any startups from Lebanon, we see this as a clear opportunity, and one we’re excited to explore. As connections between Lisbon and Beirut deepen, more Lebanese founders are expected to benefit from this bridge between ecosystems.
BDD: What can BDD’s community members benefit from?
UF: Unicorn Factory Lisboa is committed to being an inclusive international initiative, accessible to every great founder or startup—regardless of location. As a remote-friendly organization, many of its core programs are open to international founders, including those based in Lebanon.
Lebanese entrepreneurs can participate remotely in the incubation program, join the scaling-up program in a hybrid format, and engage with sector-specific communities focused on green technology or AI. They also benefit from a robust soft-landing support system when expanding into Europe via Lisbon, either through immersive programs like Launch in Lisboa or more tailor-made soft-landing support designed to meet their specific needs.
By connecting BDD’s members with Lisbon’s vibrant startup scene, Unicorn Factory Lisboa offers a powerful springboard. Startups gain complimentary entry to European markets, high-quality mentorship, and a support system for growth – all without having to physically relocate unless they choose. This makes it easier for Lebanese founders to think big, tap international funding, and scale globally with Lisbon as their gateway.
Explore Unicorn Factory Lisboa portfolio and programs unicornfactorylisboa.com
The Lebanese community in Portugal
The Lebanese community in Portugal is active in the tech sector through the Caram Portugal Association and the LIFE Lebanon Iberia Chapter. Both organizations actively work together with Lebanese Diaspora, and encourage Lebanese nationals to connect with them when in Portugal.
Learn more
Join Unicorn Factory Lisboa x BDD for an online interactive info session on May 22 at 11:00 AM (Beirut Time), designed to help startups and scale-ups understand the opportunities in Lisbon and explore the full range of acceleration programs and soft landing support offered by Unicorn Factory Lisboa.
