Portugal has talent. Everyone already knows. Is it only we who still don't believe?

For many, it will be just another protocol linked to entrepreneurship. For me, it is another confirmation of something I have been observing for several years: the world believes more and more in Portuguese talent, often more than the Portuguese themselves.

I have been following the journey of Empowered Startups in Portugal for more than two years and what impresses me the most is not just the investment or the projects developed. It is the conviction with which Chris Lennon speaks of the country, of Portuguese universities, of our research capacity and of the potential to transform knowledge into companies and innovation. While many continue to look at Portugal as a small market on the periphery of Europe, there are those who see exactly the opposite: one of the most interesting places to develop technology, attract talent and build global businesses.

The choice of Coimbra is not by chance. The city brings together what the new economy is looking for. Knowledge, research, quality of life and an increasingly strong connection between universities, companies and innovation. What Empowered Startups is doing is something simple, but extremely important: creating bridges between the talent that exists in Portugal and the capital that exists in the world.

Perhaps this is where we should stop to reflect. For years, we have been used to hearing that the best leave the country, that there is a lack of opportunity, and that there are conditions abroad. But the reality is changing. More and more investors, entrepreneurs and international organisations are looking for Portugal precisely because of the people, the knowledge produced in universities and the quality of our professionals.

That doesn't mean the challenges have disappeared. We still need more productivity, more innovation, more affordable housing for qualified young people and more efficient administration. But one thing is certain: the problem is no longer a lack of talent.

The problem is that we often continue not to believe in him.

Perhaps it is time to change that mentality. Because while some Portuguese continue to question the value of the country, there are more and more people out there investing time, money and trust in Portugal.

And perhaps the greatest lesson of this story is precisely this:

Portugal has talent. The world already knows. The only question is when we will believe this too.