According to the Financial Times ranking "Europe's Leading Start-up Hubs", in partnership with Statista and Sifted, the country now has 12 hubs and incubators among the 150 most innovative in Europe, five more than the previous year. It is not just a number. It is a clear sign of the maturity of the national entrepreneurial ecosystem.

In a context where European competition is increasingly intense, seeing Portuguese structures side by side with German, British, or Spanish centres demonstrates that the country is no longer just an attractive destination for talent and has become a true engine for business creation.

Among the best positioned are Unicorn Factory Lisboa, in 24th place, Lispolis, in 32nd, and Fintech House, in 35th. Each one with its own characteristics, but all with a common denominator: to create real conditions for ideas to be transformed into scalable businesses.

Unicorn Factory Lisboa has been assuming itself as a structured platform to attract and scale international start-ups, integrating acceleration programs, connecting with investors, and supporting global expansion. Lispolis, with a strong connection to technology and engineering, is an example of continuity and specialisation, supporting technology companies from very early stages. Fintech House, on the other hand, positions Portugal on the radar of financial innovation, working as a bridge between start-ups, regulators, and large financial institutions.

The ranking distinguishes hubs that offer consistent incubation and acceleration programs, evaluating criteria such as quality of mentoring, legal support, infrastructure, networking, and ability to connect to funding. In other words, it is not just about physical spaces, but about complete ecosystems.

Germany once again dominates the top spots, with UnternehmerTUM, Start2 Group and BayStartUP leading the ranking. However, the fact that Portugal significantly increases its presence demonstrates a structural evolution. We are competing in a demanding European championship and doing it with our own identity.

In my view, this growth does not come about by chance. Portugal has been consolidating a rare combination: quality of life, qualified talent, competitive costs and growing institutional maturity. Web Summit helped project Lisbon internationally, but the real work was done behind the scenes, with incubators, accelerators and investor networks structuring the ecosystem.

It is also important to underline that these hubs act as strategic infrastructures for the economy of the future. They are meeting points between universities, investors, large companies, and entrepreneurs. They are often the first step for technology developed in Portugal to reach global markets.

At a time when Europe seeks to strengthen its technological autonomy and capacity for innovation, Portugal positions itself not only as a participant, but as an active contribution.

Of course, there is still a way to go. Access to larger capital, talent retention and internationalisation remain challenges. But the fact that we have 12 hubs recognised among the best in Europe shows that the foundation is solid.

Portugal is no longer just a country where start-ups are created. It is a country where ecosystems are built. And that makes all the difference.