Portugal has established itself as a significant player in Europe’s startup ecosystem, fueled by its comprehensive network of incubators and accelerators.
According to a recent National Incubator and Accelerator Network (RNI), the country had 138 certified incubation facilities supporting a total of 4,983 businesses, of which 1,869 are classified as innovative or scalable ventures.
These incubators are strategically distributed across the country, with key concentrations in the likes of Lisbon, Porto, Braga, Coimbra and Aveiro.
The services provided by these facilities are extensive and designed to support businesses at multiple stages, ranging from co-working spaces and mentoring to prototyping assistance, legal and accounting guidance, networking opportunities, and access to funding.
By providing these resources, incubators reduce barriers for entrepreneurs and contribute to a more inclusive and accessible ecosystem nationwide.
Portugal’s incubation system has also gained international recognition, which further strengthens its appeal.
In the 2025 edition of Europe’s Leading Start-up Hubs ranking by the Financial Times, Statista, and Sifted, seven Portuguese incubators were listed among 125 leading European hubs - with two in the top 20.
Despite these achievements, challenges remain.
An OECD review notes that while Portugal has a substantial number of facilities, there is room to expand specialisation, enhance scale-up support, and improve integration with more mature companies.
Many incubators continue to focus primarily on early-stage startups, and further development is needed to support ventures looking to scale internationally. Addressing these areas represents an important opportunity for Portugal to strengthen its ecosystem and attract additional investment.
As the ecosystem continues to mature and shift toward supporting scale-ups and internationalisation, Portugal is increasingly positioned as a strategic hub for entrepreneurship in Europe.
About Portugal Pathways
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