Road to START Summit 2026

A startup competition in Lisbon featuring 10 selected startups, with a chance to pitch at START Summit 2027 and the Startup World Cup in San Francisco.

Road to START Summit 2026 is a startup competition and entrepreneurship event organized by START Lisbon at NOVA School of Business and Economics on October 22, 2026.

Bringing together ambitious founders, investors, industry experts, and students, the event aims to connect Portugal’s startup ecosystem with the international entrepreneurial community.

The 2026 edition will feature 10 selected startups pitching their ventures to a jury of investors and industry experts.

Beyond the competition, the event will offer opportunities to receive feedback, meet potential investors and partners, and build connections within Lisbon’s startup ecosystem.

The winning startup will have the opportunity to:

• Pitch at START Summit 2027 in St. Gallen, Switzerland, on March 18–19, 2027, alongside startups and investors from across Europe.
• Represent Lisbon at the Startup World Cup in San Francisco on November 6, 2027, competing for the opportunity to win a $1 million investment prize.