The goal is simple: to take the best of the country’s innovation scene straight to the global stage in Lisbon this November. From the 10th to the 13th, the city will once again host one of the world’s biggest technology conferences, bringing together founders, investors, and thought leaders from across the globe, and for the selected startups, it’s a chance to be right at the heart of it all.

This year marks the program’s tenth edition, and up to 125 Portuguese startups and scaleups will be chosen to join under special conditions. Applying is straightforward: fill out the form on the official program website and meet the eligibility criteria. For two standout companies, there is even more at stake, one will take home €15,000 as the most promising startup, while another will win €5,000 for delivering the best performance during the bootcamp and the conference. In the last edition, Framedrop.ai and Deeploy walked away with these awards, using the recognition and exposure to boost their growth.

But Road 2 Web Summit is more than just a ticket to the event. Selected participants get access to the exhibition area and an exclusive in-person bootcamp in Porto and Lisbon. This is where things get firsthand: expert investors, seasoned founders, and specialized pitch coaches work closely with the startups to fine-tune their presentations. Web Summit representatives also join in, sharing insider tips on how to make the most of the conference, connect with the right people, and turn conversations into real opportunities.

Once at Web Summit, the benefits keep coming. The chosen startups will enjoy a dedicated exhibition space and the chance to take part in live pitch sessions at the Portugal x Lisboa stand, putting them face-to-face with potential clients, media, and international investors. For many, it is the kind of visibility that can open doors far beyond the Portuguese market.

Applications are already live on the Road 2 Web Summit website, where all conditions and participation details can be found. Given the limited number of places and the program’s strong history, competition is expected to be fierce. After a decade of helping Portuguese startups step onto the global stage, Road 2 Web Summit has become much more than a program, it is a launchpad for companies ready to grow, scale, and make their mark on the world.

Author

Paulo Lopes is a multi-talent Portuguese citizen who made his Master of Economics in Switzerland and studied law at Lusófona in Lisbon - CEO of Casaiberia in Lisbon and Algarve.

Paulo Lopes