On September 25th and 26th, the Tec Labs team headed south to the coastal city of Sines to attend IncubX, the national gathering of incubators and accelerators organized by Startup Portugal. This edition took place at the Sines Sea View Business & Leisure Hotel, bringing together professionals from across the country for two days of meaningful discussions, networking, and collaboration – all against the backdrop of the Alentejo coast.
The first day opened with Startup Portugal’s update on national priorities and ongoing initiatives within the incubation ecosystem, paving the way for an afternoon filled with exchange and reflection.
Credits: Startup Portugal
Among the highlights were the presentations of two new programs. The first is an intensive capacity-building initiative designed to help startups expand to the United States. It focuses on preparing Startup Portugal’s team to navigate the dynamics of the U.S. investment landscape, supporting startups through mentoring and investor access, and empowering incubators to better assist internationally minded founders through workshops, discussion panels, and peer learning. The second is a new platform that connects enterprises with startups, enabling companies to launch challenges and receive innovative proposals, providing fast and low-risk access to emerging technologies and new opportunities for collaborative growth.
Credits: Startup Portugal
Later in the afternoon, the panel “My Name is Flow, Deal Flow: Strategies to Foster Entrepreneurship” brought together representatives from IET, Unicorn Factory Lisboa, Dengun, and the Municipality of Albergaria-a-Velha to discuss strategies for fostering a stronger pipeline of startups. The day ended with a roundtable discussion on deal flow bottlenecks, which turned out to be one of the most valuable moments of the event – a great opportunity to hear honest feedback and shared challenges from other incubators, some very similar to Tec Labs and others completely different, yet all offering perspectives that helped us reflect on our own. The evening wrapped up with the first-ever IncubX After-Sun, a relaxed and lively moment with music, good vibes, and plenty of informal conversations that extended the day’s spirit of collaboration.
Credits: Startup Portugal
The second day marked a milestone for IncubX, with the presence of international speakers for the first time. The session “InterX: How to Incubate and Accelerate in Europe” gathered voices from Lithuania, Germany, Ukraine, Estonia, and Spain, offering diverse insights into how European ecosystems foster innovation and collaboration. In addition to the panel, the international guests also held 1:1 meetings with participants, providing valuable opportunities for direct exchange and networking. The morning concluded with a networking lunch that captured the event’s collaborative spirit.
Credits: Startup Portugal
The afternoon featured an open-mic session where any participant could take the floor to share something they could offer and something they could receive. It was an honest and collaborative exercise that highlighted the diversity and generosity within the incubation community, encouraging participants to connect through both their strengths and their challenges. This was followed by a Taskforce First Ticket, which addressed multiple missions to support startup financing, including the creation and certification of Business Angels, access to regional and ecosystem funds, matchmaking between startups and investors or expatriates, proposals on tax and legal frameworks, and co-innovation programs.
Credits: Startup Portugal
The event wrapped up with the session “From Alentejo to the World”, highlighting the region’s growing potential as a hub for sustainable innovation, with contributions from Start Campus, Repsol, Cânhamor, and Sines Tecnopolo.
Credits: Startup Portugal
As always, IncubX proved to be an inspiring space to learn, share, and reconnect with peers from across the country – and now, from beyond Portugal’s borders. We returned from Sines with new perspectives, valuable contacts, and a renewed sense of purpose in strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Credits: Startup Portugal
A big thank you to Startup Portugal for organizing another insightful edition, and to all the participants who continue to drive innovation forward!
