Top 20 Startups in Portugal: Innovators Paving the Way
Top 20 Startups in Portugal: Innovators Paving the Way
Portugal is fast becoming a hotspot for innovation and entrepreneurship, boasting a dynamic and vibrant startup ecosystem. The country is home to numerous startups that are making waves across various industries, from fintech and health tech to green energy and artificial intelligence. Here’s a look at the top 20 startups in Portugal, highlighting their industry, founders, year of foundation, and valuation. These startups are not only driving Portugal’s economic growth but are also gaining recognition on the global stage.
1. Farfetch
Industry: E-commerce, Fashion
Founders: José Neves
Year of Foundation: 2007
Valuation: $6.2 billion
Farfetch, founded by José Neves in 2007, is a leading global technology platform for luxury fashion. The company connects consumers with the world's best boutiques and brands through a seamless online shopping experience.
2. OutSystems
Industry: Software Development, Low-Code
Founders: Paulo Rosado, Rui Pereira
Year of Foundation: 2001
Valuation: $9.5 billion
OutSystems, co-founded by Paulo Rosado and Rui Pereira in 2001, specializes in low-code application development platforms. The company’s solutions enable businesses to build, deploy, and manage enterprise-grade applications rapidly and efficiently.
3. Talkdesk
Industry: Customer Experience, Cloud Contact Center
Founders: Tiago Paiva, Cristina Fonseca
Year of Foundation: 2011
Valuation: $3 billion
Talkdesk, founded by Tiago Paiva and Cristina Fonseca in 2011, provides cloud-based contact center solutions that enhance customer experiences. Their platform integrates seamlessly with various CRM systems, offering businesses improved communication and customer service.
4. Unbabel
Industry: Translation, Artificial Intelligence
Founders: Vasco Pedro, João Graça, Bruno Silva
Year of Foundation: 2013
Valuation: $60 million
Unbabel, co-founded by Vasco Pedro, João Graça, and Bruno Silva in 2013, combines artificial intelligence with human translation to deliver fast and accurate translations. The company’s platform supports global customer communication and localization efforts.
5. Feedzai
Industry: Fintech, Fraud Detection
Founders: Nuno Sebastião, Pedro Bizarro, Paulo Marques
Year of Foundation: 2011
Valuation: $1.5 billion
Feedzai, founded by Nuno Sebastião, Pedro Bizarro, and Paulo Marques in 2011, provides AI-driven fraud detection solutions for financial institutions. Their technology helps prevent financial crime and ensures secure transactions.
6. DefinedCrowd
Industry: Artificial Intelligence, Data Training
Founders: Daniela Braga, João Freitas
Year of Foundation: 2015
Valuation: $60 million
DefinedCrowd, co-founded by Daniela Braga and João Freitas in 2015, offers data training solutions for artificial intelligence systems. The company’s platform provides high-quality, annotated data to improve AI model accuracy and performance.
7. Sword Health
Industry: HealthTech, Digital Therapy
Founders: Virgílio Bento, André Silva
Year of Foundation: 2015
Valuation: $100 million
Sword Health, founded by Virgílio Bento and André Silva in 2015, develops digital therapy solutions for musculoskeletal disorders. Their platform combines physical therapy with digital technology to provide effective, remote treatment.
8. Landing.jobs
Industry: Recruitment, Tech Talent
Founders: Pedro Oliveira, José Paiva
Year of Foundation: 2013
Valuation: $20 million
Landing.jobs, co-founded by Pedro Oliveira and José Paiva in 2013, is a recruitment platform specializing in tech talent. The company connects top tech professionals with leading companies, facilitating career growth and development.
9. Holidos
Industry: TravelTech
Founders: Rui Joaquim, Mariana Gonçalves
Year of Foundation: 2017
Valuation: $10 million
Holidos, founded by Rui Joaquim and Mariana Gonçalves in 2017, offers a comprehensive platform for planning and booking personalized travel experiences. Their technology simplifies travel arrangements and enhances customer satisfaction.
10. Uniplaces
Industry: Real Estate, Student Accommodation
Founders: Miguel Santo Amaro, Ben Grech, Mariano Kostelec
Year of Foundation: 2012
Valuation: $40 million
Uniplaces, co-founded by Miguel Santo Amaro, Ben Grech, and Mariano Kostelec in 2012, is an online marketplace for student accommodation. The platform connects students with verified landlords, offering a safe and convenient housing solution.
11. Infraspeak
Industry: Facility Management, IoT
Founders: Luís Martins, Felipe Ávila da Costa
Year of Foundation: 2015
Valuation: $30 million
Infraspeak, founded by Luís Martins and Felipe Ávila da Costa in 2015, provides intelligent facility management solutions using IoT technology. Their platform enhances maintenance efficiency and operational performance for various industries.
12. Science4You
Industry: EdTech, Toys
Founders: Miguel Pina Martins
Year of Foundation: 2008
Valuation: $20 million
Science4You, founded by Miguel Pina Martins in 2008, develops educational toys and kits that promote learning through play. The company’s products are designed to make science fun and accessible for children.
13. Jscrambler
Industry: Cybersecurity, Web Security
Founders: Pedro Fortuna, Rui Ribeiro
Year of Foundation: 2010
Valuation: $15 million
Jscrambler, co-founded by Pedro Fortuna and Rui Ribeiro in 2010, offers security solutions for web applications. Their technology protects against various cyber threats, ensuring the integrity and safety of web content.
14. Trigger.Systems
Industry: GreenTech, IoT
Founders: Ricardo Morgado, Nuno Brito Jorge
Year of Foundation: 2016
Valuation: $10 million
Trigger.Systems, founded by Ricardo Morgado and Nuno Brito Jorge in 2016, develops IoT-based solutions for optimizing water and energy usage. Their technology supports sustainable practices in agriculture and urban environments.
15. Tonic App
Industry: HealthTech, Medical Communication
Founders: Daniela Seixas, Mário Martins
Year of Foundation: 2016
Valuation: $8 million
Tonic App, co-founded by Daniela Seixas and Mário Martins in 2016, provides a communication platform for healthcare professionals. The app facilitates information sharing and collaboration among medical teams, improving patient care.
16. ProDrone
Industry: Drone Technology, Agriculture
Founders: Hugo Silva, João Antunes
Year of Foundation: 2014
Valuation: $12 million
ProDrone, founded by Hugo Silva and João Antunes in 2014, specializes in drone technology for agricultural applications. Their solutions enhance crop monitoring and management, boosting efficiency and productivity.
17. Huub
Industry: Logistics, E-commerce
Founders: Tiago Paiva, Pedro Santos, Luís Roque
Year of Foundation: 2015
Valuation: $18 million
Huub, co-founded by Tiago Paiva, Pedro Santos, and Luís Roque in 2015, provides logistics solutions tailored for e-commerce businesses. Their platform streamlines supply chain operations and improves delivery efficiency.
18. Jumia Portugal
Industry: E-commerce
Founders: Sacha Poignonnec, Jeremy Hodara
Year of Foundation: 2012
Valuation: $3 billion
Jumia Portugal, founded by Sacha Poignonnec and Jeremy Hodara in 2012, is a leading e-commerce platform in Africa and Portugal. The company offers a wide range of products and services, connecting sellers and buyers seamlessly.
19. DefinedCrowd
Industry: AI, Data Training
Founders: Daniela Braga, João Freitas
Year of Foundation: 2015
Valuation: $60 million
DefinedCrowd, founded by Daniela Braga and João Freitas in 2015, provides high-quality data for AI training. Their platform improves the performance and accuracy of AI models, supporting various industries.
20. Revolut
Industry: Fintech
Founders: Nikolay Storonsky, Vlad Yatsenko
Year of Foundation: 2015
Valuation: $33 billion
Revolut, founded by Nikolay Storonsky and Vlad Yatsenko in 2015, offers digital banking solutions that simplify money management. The company’s platform includes features for budgeting, international payments, and cryptocurrency trading.
Conclusion
Portugal’s startup scene is brimming with innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. From pioneering fintech and health tech solutions to leading advancements in AI and green energy, these top 20 startups are at the forefront of technological and business transformation. Their founders' visionary leadership and the startups’ impressive valuations underscore Portugal’s rising prominence on the global stage. As these companies continue to expand and innovate, they are set to make an even greater impact both locally and internationally. Keep an eye on these startups—they’re shaping the future of technology and business in Portugal and beyond!
