Startups & Investment Matching | About
SIM Conference · Alfândega do Porto - Porto, Portugal - 8-9 May 2025
pt en

Startups & Investment Matching | About

Previous Edition

The SIM Conference is an event designed to connect entrepreneurs, startups, and investors, both nationally and internationally. Focused on creating networking opportunities through carefully curated content, SIM offers a unique experience for founders and investors to establish meaningful connections. Its first edition, held from May 2-4, 2024, at the Alfândega do Porto Congress Center, brought together over 2,000 participants, 400 startups, 150 investors, and 100 national and international speakers, establishing itself as a key platform for the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Portugal.

 

For more information: simconf@startupportugal.com

Porto is home to one of the most vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystems in Europe:

  • A thriving community that, together with the northern region of Portugal, hosts over 1,200 startups;
  • Key sectors include software development, healthcare, and marketing;
  • The Porto Metropolitan Area is also home to 10 unicorn offices.

A leading hub for talent creation and research & development (R&D):

  • More than 80 higher education institutions and R&D centers with over 12,500 researchers;
  • Portugal’s number one region for patents and private investment in R&D;
  • The University of Porto ranked 1st in the 2023 Portuguese Entrepreneurial University Ranking.

The region attracts significant investment: 

  • Startups in northern Portugal are valued at approximately €8.9 billion (27% of the total Portuguese ecosystem);
  • Since 2020, they have raised over €2 billion, accounting for 40% of the total funding secured by the Portuguese ecosystem;
  • More than 90 national and international investors are actively engaged in the region.

Portugal holds prominent positions in several international rankings, such as:

  • 6th most attractive country for foreign investment, according to the EY Survey ’24
  • 7th most peaceful country in the world among 163 nations, according to the Global Peace Index
  • 7th in Quality of Life, according to Expat Insider 2024

The country:

  • Has 4,719 startups, 16% more than in 2023
  • The startup ecosystem generates a combined turnover of €2.602 billion

More than 100 incubators certified by Startup Portugal across the country.

To get to Alfândega do Porto, you can choose between public transport or taxi/ride-hailing services.

  • From Porto Airport, the most affordable option is the metro (Line E) to Trindade, transferring to Line D to São Bento, followed by bus 500 to Alfândega (around 35 minutes in total). Alternatively, a taxi/ride-hailing service takes approximately 25 minutes.
  • For those arriving by train, from Campanhã, you can take the metro to São Bento and then bus 500 (about 15 minutes), or a taxi in 12 minutes. If arriving at São Bento, simply take bus 500 (5 minutes).
  • For those driving, the easiest option is to follow this link using GPS.

Porto offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to boutique stays and more budget-friendly choices. Whether you prefer to stay in the historic center, by the river, or in the surrounding areas, there’s something for everyone.

For SIM Conference participants, we have an exclusive partnership with Hotel Vincci Porto (a 14-minute walk from Alfândega), offering a 13% discount on room bookings for the event days. Interested guests can book through this link or use the promo code “SIMCONF25” on the hotel’s website.

Startup Portugal is a non-profit organization with the mission to develop activities of public interest to promote entrepreneurship, in close collaboration with public and private entities within the national ecosystem.