Macau startups to strengthen ties with Portugal
Lisbon: A delegation from Macau is visiting Portugal from 3 to 10 May as part of the “Soft Landing Program to Portugal,” an initiative aimed at connecting Macau startups with Portugal’s dynamic innovation and technology ecosystem.
According to a representative from the delegation, “the program aims to provide startups with insights into the Portuguese market, facilitate networking opportunities, and establish strategic partnerships to drive international growth.”
Organised by the Association of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Macau-China PLP (AEIMCP), the delegation will include representatives from the Macau Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT), the Centre for Science and Technology Exchange and Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, and Da Hengqin Macao Corporation, alongside several Macau-based startups.
The programme will feature a series of business meetings in Lisbon with prominent entities such as Lispolis, PwC, and AICEP Portugal Global, as well as a visit to the Unicorn Factory Lisbon – an initiative supporting high-growth startups in the city. “These engagements will provide the delegation with a deeper understanding of Portugal’s entrepreneurial landscape and opportunities for collaboration.”
The trip will also serve as a platform to raise awareness of the Sino-Lusophone Tech Fund, due to launch later this year, which aims to foster innovation and collaboration between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
According to the same delegation member, “this initiative reflects Macau’s growing efforts to position itself as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, while also strengthening ties with Portugal, a key partner in the global startup ecosystem. By building connections and exploring opportunities together, this exchange highlights the potential for long-term partnerships between Macau and Portugal in driving technological and economic progress.”
One of the highlights of the visit will be attendance at the Startup Innovation Meeting (SIM) conference, organised by Startup Portugal, in Porto on 8 and 9 May. “This event offers a platform for startups to showcase their innovative solutions, expand their networks, and engage with Portuguese and international stakeholders,” the source stated.
During the SIM Conference, each startup will be allocated its own individual booth. DSEDT, Da Hengqin, and AEIMCP will share a separate joint booth.
On 8 May, a 20-minute panel titled “Gateways to Asia: Unlocking the East” will take place, featuring representatives from HK Invest, EDB Singapore, AEIMCP Macau, and IPLEXMED Life and Health Sciences Research Institute. The session will explore opportunities for scaling in Asian markets. “Explore how Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore can unlock Asia for European startups,” states the organisation.
On 9 May, in addition to a roundtable discussion on the theme “Cracking Asia: Go Global”, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony will be held in the afternoon, followed by a dedicated networking session with Startup Portugal management and key stakeholders from the Portuguese ecosystem.
“This presents an excellent opportunity to connect with key figures in Portugal’s startup ecosystem,” recommends the local delegation.
The SIM Conference is focused on fostering networking opportunities “through carefully [curated] content,” says the organisation, for whom “SIM offers a unique experience for founders and investors to establish meaningful connections.”
The inaugural edition in 2024 brought together 2,000 participants, 400 startups, 150 investors, and 100 national and international speakers.
This year’s edition will feature the presence of Sacha Michaud, co-founder of Glovo – the on-demand delivery platform operating in 25 countries – and Vivienne Ming, a renowned scientist whose AI inventions have launched a dozen companies and non-profits focused on human potential in education, the workforce, and health.
