Portugal Ventures — Equity

Portugal Ventures issues equity calls for Portuguese startups through a state-backed investment platform rather than a grant programme. The calls are targeted at defined sectors and regions, including tourism, deep tech, sustainability-oriented work, and regional opportunities such as Leiria, the Azores, and Madeira, so the programme stays tightly focused on ventures that match a specific commercial thesis. Tickets run from €50,000 at the low end to €1.5 million at the top end, and the programme follows a multiple-times-per-year cycle. Eligibility is reserved for for-profit companies registered and operating in Portugal; nonprofits, universities, research organisations, and individuals are excluded. The investment is structured as equity, with minority stakes, board representation, and milestone-based tranche release. The best fit is a Portuguese startup that can meet investor diligence and use capital to scale after the initial proof of concept. Portugal Ventures is not a non-repayable funding route, so applicants need a business case, a market path, and a sector or regional fit strong enough to stand inside a competitive equity process.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.