Welcome Home to Portugal's Innovation Community
Moving to Portugal is just the beginning. The real magic happens when you become part of the startup ecosystem—meeting founders, discovering investment opportunities, and building meaningful connections that turn your new country into your new home.
Whether you are:
- Ready to meet or invest in Portuguese startups
- Curious about the local innovation scene
- Simply want to meet fellow entrepreneurs over coffee
We're here to make it happen. Your ecosystem immersion starts with a conversation.
How We'll Help With Your Goals
The softlanding program is designed specifically for expats like you: entrepreneurs seeking their next venture, investors and advisors exploring Portuguese opportunities, or professionals wanting to dive into the innovation scene.
Understand the Ecosystem Like a Local
We'll map out Portugal's innovation landscape for your interests—from the most active players and promising startups to key universities and corporate innovation teams. Know who's who and what's happening.
Warm Introductions That Matter
Forget cold emails. We'll personally introduce you to up to 5 key individuals or organizations who align with your interests. These aren't just LinkedIn connections—they're real relationships.
Join the Right Rooms
We'll identify the top 5 communities, conferences and business clubs where connections actually happen and lasting friendships form. Save months of trial and error.
Local Business Insights
Get a snapshot of the unwritten rules of Portuguese business culture that only insiders know. From communication styles to decision-making processes, we'll help you navigate with confidence.
Meet Investment-Ready Startups
Get access to certified startups actively seeking investment. We'll guide you through due diligence, help you understand the local market dynamics, and support you whether you're writing a check or joining as a board member.
Maximize Your Tax Benefits
NHR 2.0/IFICI can significantly boost your returns. We'll help you understand these benefits and connect you with experts who can structure your investments optimally.
About Build Up Labs
A Leading Venture Studio & Incubator
Since 2014, we've been in the trenches building startups in Lisbon. Build Up Labs isn't just an incubator, we're a venture studio that creates, launch, and scales ventures from scratch. We know what works because we've done it ourselves, repeatedly.
Our track record includes: 5 successful exits, including Tap My Back's acquisition by a Texas-based company in 2023. We've been through the highs, the pivots, and the late-night strategy sessions. This real-world experience is what we bring to every founder we support.
As a certified Startup Visa incubator by Startup Portugal and IAPMEI, we've helped dozens of international entrepreneurs make Portugal their launchpad. Now we're extending that same insider knowledge and network to expats looking to join, invest, advise, or simply understand the ecosystem.
Led by Rui Gouveia
Rui has been building digital businesses for over 25 years, but he's not your typical tech CEO. He genuinely loves connecting people and helping founders navigate the messy reality of building startups with international ambitions.
Beyond leading Build Up Labs, Rui serves as President of Studios.pt, the Portuguese association working to professionalize the venture studio industry. He's deeply committed to putting Portugal on the map as a hub for systematic startup creation—not just for Portuguese entrepreneurs, but for anyone who sees the opportunity here.
When you work with us, you're getting Rui's extensive network, and his honest take on what actually works in this market. He's seen what trips up expats and knows how to help you avoid those pitfalls.