According to the Portugal Fintech Report 2025, national fintechs have raised almost 1.2 billion euros in investment since the beginning of the year, in a movement that confirms the country as one of the most dynamic hubs in Europe in this area.

These numbers are even more significant when you realize that almost a third of Portuguese fintechs were born in the last two years, driven by the artificial intelligence revolution. Financial innovation in Portugal does not slow down, but accelerates and is fueled by a mature ecosystem, where startups and large financial institutions collaborate increasingly effectively.

AI is no longer an accessory: it is the heart of the new financial economy. Nine out of ten Portuguese fintechs use artificial intelligence in their internal operations, and three out of four incorporate it directly into their products. The study underlines that this technology has ceased to be a competitive advantage to become a true catalyst for growth and productivity.

The results are in sight. Almost half of national fintechs have created products based on AI, a quarter have reported increases in productivity, and about 20% have seen their sales grow thanks to technology. In addition, 23.5% were able to reduce operating costs, without necessarily resorting to staff cuts. Only 14.3% have reduced teams, which shows that, in Portugal, AI is more associated with efficiency and value creation than with human replacement.

On the investor side, the trend is unequivocal. Artificial intelligence, especially in its generative aspect and in the so-called intelligent agents, leads the interest of those who finance the future. Cybersecurity comes next as a priority, while the world of web3 seems to be losing ground. Capital, however, continues to arrive mostly from abroad: more than half of the Portuguese fintechs that have raised investment have received international funds, which reinforces the prestige that the Portuguese ecosystem is beginning to gain abroad.

Still, there is one piece of data that shows the untapped potential: 55% of national fintechs have never tried to raise capital. The report explains this hesitation based on the limitations of scale of the Portuguese market but also recognizes that the country has been building increasingly favorable conditions for internationalization.

The concentration of fintechs in Lisbon continues to be dominant, with more than 60% of the total, but the innovation map is changing. Porto consolidates its position as the second major technological hub, and Leiria begins to stand out, already bringing together about 6% of national fintechs. The city's emerging success is explained, in part, by the work of developing the local ecosystem and the performance of public funds such as Portugal Ventures, which have been decisive in creating new startups and attracting talent.

The Web Summit will therefore be the ideal stage to witness the real impact of this transformation. Not only because Portugal is today a reference in technological innovation, but because part of this success was born precisely here, among the conversations, ideas and meetings that the summit has provided since it was installed in Lisbon.

The AI revolution in Portuguese fintechs is more than a trend. It is proof that the country has been able to transform its talent and creativity into a competitive global advantage. Where a few years ago there was only talk of ambition and potential, today there are concrete results, robust investment and renewed confidence in the future.

To be at the Web Summit currently is to witness that future in motion. Portugal, which previously looked at technological powers from abroad, is now seen as a case study of innovation, collaboration and resilience. The race to artificial intelligence is in full swing and Portugal is not only on the track but is starting to lead the pack.