matosinhos.tech 2024
and Portugal’s Growing Tech Momentum
I never imagined a tech community would take the main stage at one of Portugal's largest music venues. Then again, no one ever thought it possible to host a tech event at a medieval fair.
But in 2024, matosinhos.tech did both and much more.
This year, we wanted our events to explore the technology behind music and digital art, understand how digital products are created, learn about the game industry, and connect with tech communities around us.
Our journey began at the iconic Casa da Música with the Tech Sounds & Motion event, featuring FAVO Studio, Royal Studio, and Jamaine Obeng (Apple) to explore how digital art, motion and visual storytelling can bridge the gap between music and technology.
Next, we hosted our Shaping Digital Products event at the Constantino Nery Theatre. Leaders like Ilia Zuev (Devexperts), Marília Moita (Malwarebytes), and Nuno Vargas (Meta, Google) emphasised the importance of designing human-centric products.
One of our most unforgettable moments was Game Knight, held in the enchanting Leça do Balio Monastery during a medieval event.
It was as hard to organize as it was amazing to be there!
Blending medieval mysticism with modern gaming was incredible, and the event brought together game industry legends like Sean Cooper (Didimo) and João Xavier (FunPlus, Star Wars Outlaws) to share insights on the evolution of the game industry over the years and what it takes to create AAA games.
Our events culminated in the mt.connect event at Matosinhos City Hall, where tech communities, including Porto Tech Hub, Ladies That UX, DevOps Porto, and Geek Girls Portugal, united in a powerful statement of the collective potential of the Portuguese ecosystem.
So, now with over 4,000 members, hundreds of hours of video content, 6 new partnerships, and 4 more events, it’s time to acknowledge and dedicate this success to the relentless MT team, the incredible partners who supported throughout the year, and our fantastic community – thank you 🙏
In 2025, we will be even bolder.
And we would love to have you with us.
Nelson Sachse
Founder.
Portugal’s Growing Tech Momentum
by
Portugal may be a small country, but its tech scene is rapidly gaining recognition, with its innovative startups, strategic government initiatives, and a growing reputation for tackling global challenges. Here’s a closer look at how Portugal is redefining its role in the tech world and attracting attention from investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators worldwide.
A Thriving Path
The rise of Portuguese tech startups mirrors global trends, but what sets Portugal apart is the quality of its talent. Skilled professionals, particularly in engineering and tech, are transforming a traditionally risk-averse culture into one that embraces entrepreneurship. However, the growing demand for IT expertise exceeds supply, making education and training crucial to sustaining momentum and promoting the national tech community’s ambitions.
Successes on the European Stage
Building on Portugal’s growing reputation, two local startups recently achieved significant recognition at the EIT Jumpstarter program in Budapest:
Biochip-Pathfinder won the EIT Health category with an AI-driven diagnostic chip that detects antimicrobial resistance, addressing a global health challenge linked to 5 million deaths annually.
StoreNow took the top spot in InnoEnergy with a platform connecting renewable energy companies to property owners interested in battery storage systems.
These victories, each bringing home €10,000, highlight Portugal's ability to compete internationally, despite the hurdles its aspiring startups face, such as excessive bureaucratic processes and a less competitive tax system.
A Driving Growth
The Scaleup Portugal Report 2024, by BGI and EIT Digital, identified 25 standout tech startups from a pool of 334 founded in the last five years. These companies, including I-Charging, collectively generated €87 million in revenue, representing 47% of the country’s digital tech network.
I-Charging
Among these startups, I-Charging stands out as a leader in electric mobility. The Porto-based business has developed groundbreaking technologies like the blueberry chargers, supporting simultaneous Electric Vehicle (EV) charging up to 1.5 MW, and the I-Light system for heavy vehicles, combining high-power charging with a user-friendly design.
Recently, the scaleup also secured ETL certification, which enables the entry into the U.S. market and highlights Portugal's role in global environmental efforts, showcasing how innovation can align with ethical and economic goals. Yet, while such steps are significant, a substantial number of companies are still struggling with funding, emphasizing the need for stronger government financial support.
State Support
Driven by the ever-rapid evolution of the tech sector, the Portuguese government is also attempting to build an even more competitive pole. The Amália project, backed by €5.5 million from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), aims to develop a Portuguese-language AI model by 2026. This underscores Portugal’s commitment to leveraging its linguistic and cultural identity in cutting-edge AI applications, particularly for Portuguese-speaking markets.
Additionally, broader initiatives, such as the Digital Transformation Strategy for Public Administration, deliver simpler, more inclusive, and efficient public services. The government has even introduced a legal framework and tax benefits for startups, formally defining "startup" and "scaleup" for the first time.
A Promising Future
With a growing foundation, supportive institutions, and a talent pool poised to expand through strategic investment, Portugal is on a promising trajectory, but its long-term success will depend on addressing structural challenges.
Bridging the talent gap, simplifying bureaucratic hurdles, and improving access to financing are vital, as investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators are seeing Portugal not just as a passageway, but a destination with lasting potential.
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