University of Lisbon: Four Unicorns, global reach, and startups valued at over 24 billion euros.
This is the summary of the ULisboa Startup Impact Report 2025, developed in partnership with Dealroom, which positions the University of Lisbon as a driving force in the entrepreneurial and technological transformation of the country.
University of Lisbon Startup Impact Report 2025
“After a decade of steady growth in research and innovation, the University of Lisbon now positions itself as a driving force in the entrepreneurial and technological transformation of the country. Even in times of uncertainty and rapid change, Lisbon's innovation ecosystem continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience, creativity, and global ambition, which needs support.”
Cecília Rodrigues, Vice-Rector ULisboa
4 of 6
+1000
+170
+850M€
Startup and Investment Ecosystems
More than €4 billion raised by +550 funded startups, 70% in the last five years.
Global presence in over 40 countries, with one third of investment raised outside of Portugal.
Local strength: since 2020, 1 in 4 startups in Lisbon were founded by ULisboa alumni, concentrating 45% of local venture capital.
More than
36 mil
jobs created worldwide
Contributes
75%
to Lisbon's startup ecosystem value
National and Local Impact
+170 spinouts from ULisboa (75% of the spinouts in the city of Lisbon).
These companies, backed by global investors, convert science into economic and social value.
Research impact
Health, Enterprise Software, Deeptech, Climate Tech e Crypto/DeFi.
The healthcare sector leads in the number of startups, reflecting national excellence in STEM (science, technology, efficiency, and mathematics) and life sciences; enterprise software and marketing stand out in total value; and emerging areas such as deep tech, space tech, climate tech, and crypto/DeFi project the country onto the international stage, aligning with major technological trends.
Key areas of innovation
Over 180 startups have at least one female founder.
The diversity of the entrepreneurial community at ULisboa is its greatest asset.
ULisboa is where innovators from all disciplines and backgrounds come together to transform knowledge into real impact.
We are a university open to society: a platform for collaboration between academia, industry, and citizens.
It is this diversity that fuels the European model of knowledge-based innovation, essential for responding to the challenges of digitalization, sustainability, and global health. And when we combine technology, science, arts, and humanities, the impact multiplies.
The knowledge that originates at ULisboa can, and will, generate even greater impact for society.
This is what drives us.
And this is how we build the future: together.
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