2026... here we go again!
Season 5 is starting and it's all about events, content and, most importantly, people.
2026, People & Impact
We enter this year with ambition and a strong belief in the power of our community.
And, if you had any doubts, just check what the past 4 years👇
video by the wonderful @PedroFonsecaVideo
(Full-stack developer by day and video creator by night)
Last year proved that we can host gatherings with hundreds of people across multiple events, backgrounds, and grew a community that now spans founders, engineers, and creatives across Portugal and beyond.
In 2026, we want to build further.
That’s why we focus on three pillars: events, content, and community.
Events
Our events (or experiences) remain a core part of how we bring the ecosystem together, but our approach continues to evolve.
In 2026, we are organising our gatherings around themes that are already shaping decision-making at the highest levels: the Future of Work and Industry & Energy, with formats designed for founders, CXOs and builders.
In The Future of Work, we will explore how artificial intelligence is moving from tool to partner and how teams are creating, operating, and scaling with AI as a true co‑founder, and what this means for leadership, skills, and organisational design.
In the Industry & Energy, we will focus on how AI, energy systems, and mobility intersect to shape the future in the physical world, from infrastructure to manufacturing to sustainable growth.
Our goal is not to follow trends, but to contextualise them.
As always, experience matters to us because meaningful conversations happen when people feel engaged and relaxed, so expect good vibes, music, and food.
Content
We are placing a stronger emphasis on content created by the community itself. This means publishing more articles written by founders, leaders, and practitioners, hosting podcasts and live conversations with people actively shaping the ecosystem, and giving visibility to the journeys behind the companies.
This is also an invitation.
If you are building something, leading a team, experimenting with new models, or navigating change, we want to help you share that story. Our role is to provide the platform and the audience to make sure the right voices are heard. If you have a story or idea in mind, talk to us.
Community
At the heart of matosinhos.tech is the belief that strong ecosystems are built when talent and opportunity meet intentionally. Over the past year, we have seen a growing number of companies approach us looking for help hiring, while individuals reach out seeking meaningful work and the chance to build something that matters.
This led to the creation of MTalent.
MTalent is our platform designed to connect people with companies that are actively hiring and growing. It is still early, and we are honest about that. We will iterate, test, and improve continuously, but the intention is to create a bridge between talent and companies, and to help people build the next chapter of their careers within our ecosystem.
Therefore, if you want to explore new opportunities, join MTalent, tell us what you are looking for, and stay close to the roles and teams emerging from the ecosystem.
Building Together
We know that what lies ahead is ambitious. There is a lot to build, refine, and experiment with in 2026.
And none of it works without active participation.
We want to hear from you. Tell us what you need, what you want to learn, what you want to build, and where you think we should go next. It doesn’t matter if you are a founder, an operator, an investor, a student, or someone in transition.
Just talk to us, we’ll listen.
Lastly, thank you for being part of matosinhos.tech.
The year ahead is about people, impact, and long‑term for Matosinhos, for Portugal, and for everyone who chooses to build from here to the world.
Let’s build it together.
The Future (or should we call present already) of Hiring: How Tech is Transforming Recruitment
As in recent years, recruitment has been moving hand in hand with the tech world, particularly with artificial intelligence. But let’s not be mistaken, recruitment (and the entire HR field) increasingly needs to preserve its human side, ensuring great experiences for both candidates and employees.
The tools we use to make that connection are rapidly evolving. From AI-driven sourcing to virtual reality onboarding, technology is reshaping the hiring journey at every stage. AI can play a key role in enhancing and improving candidate experience. But how?
1. More Efficient Talent Sourcing
The introduction of more automated and sophisticated screening and application management platforms, so-called Applicant Tracking Systems, has enabled faster, more accurate profile analysis with a sharper focus on skills. Recruiters can now concentrate on building relationships instead of spending hours searching and managing a 100% manual process, giving more time for what really matters.
2. Virtual Interviews
Who still remembers having in-person interviews at the office? Of course, face-to-face meetings help both the company and the candidate get to know each other better and can even increase mutual interest, but these are best kept for later stages.
Technology has simplified the process for both sides. Online interviews make hiring more convenient, allowing candidates to connect remotely without spending time or resources on travel, especially helpful for those farther away. And especially in the early stages.
These platforms now also integrate AI, offering features such as automated transcription of conversations. This frees interviewers from note-taking and lets them focus on engaging with candidates, always with prior consent, of course. Video interviews, VR office tours, and digital onboarding platforms are making it easier for organizations to engage top talent regardless of location.
3. Data in Recruitment
Data matters. It helps recruiters understand the status of processes and identify areas for improvement and optimization. Recruitment is increasingly data-driven, and this is one of its most important shifts.
Analytics allow recruiters to reduce bias, forecast hiring needs, and track employee success. With the right insights, HR teams can make fairer, faster, and more effective hiring decisions. And this doesn’t cost time, it saves it, allowing companies to focus on what matters most: making better, more efficient hires.
4. Time optimization
AI makes processes simpler. It gives recruiters more time to focus on the candidate experience by reducing repetitive tasks. Those routine emails? The interview invitations that had to be written from scratch? Even time management itself? Not anymore.
Here’s where AI acts as a recruiter’s virtual assistant. Many of these tasks become quicker and easier, giving recruiters the chance to focus on what really counts: candidate experience, detailed profile assessments, and data analysis. Routine tasks are streamlined, which saves time and optimizes processes.
5. Candidate Experience Matters More Than Ever
In today’s competitive job market, employer branding and candidate experience are game-changers. Chatbots, personalized communication, and transparent processes all help build trust with potential hires.
Recruitment is no longer just about filling roles, it’s about creating a seamless, tech-enabled experience that attracts and retains top talent. Organizations that embrace these innovations will be the ones to secure the best people for the future.
That said, there’s one thing we need to keep in mind: while AI continues to grow in this space, the human side will remain essential. Personal connections and relationships will always be managed by people. That’s where the real difference happens; AI simply helps create the time to make it possible.