Coimbra Tech Challenge

14/01/2026

They say that the first time is always the hardest. The risk. The unknown. The adrenaline and the uncertain wins.

Our inaugural CoimbraTech Challenge took off this past fall with flying colors, and without looking back.

Across borders, institutions, and agendas, we brought Coimbra to the world and the world to Coimbra in a new, fresh and innovative way as never before

What emerged exceeded expectations in countless surprising ways for which all of us are humbled and so grateful to so many.

An exceptional group of founders, corporate partners, and ecosystem leaders came together to co-create and to elevate themselves and one another, surprising the most seasoned of stakeholders with the quality of startups, ideas and founders building bridges of collaboration and measurable results.

The video is a glimpse into the energy and inspiration that is CoimbraTech. We are grateful for the continued commitment, trust, and collaboration of our founding ecosystem partners at the Câmara Municipal de Coimbra MG, Instituto Pedro Nunes and so many more, and especially for the support of our A-team of partners Grupo Brisa, Grupo Visabeira, Semapa, SantanderX, Morais Leitão, NOS SGPS, Noesis, Avant Global, LLC @. Your belief in the vision and practical ex*****on of the dream made the magic possible.

Together we reinforced the role of Coimbra as a serious global convener, and set in motion the momentum for a platform and movement on which to build future editions and a growing global community. Onwards and upwards... Parabens!

07/11/2025

CoimbraTech Challenge 2025: A powerful close and a strong beginning

Coimbra just wrapped an unforgettable week. Founders, sponsors, and partners came together to open the CoimbraTech Clubhouse, build real relationships, and map practical paths for collaboration in Portugal and across the EU.

Feedback was exceptional: many called it one of the best-designed programs of its kind, with sponsor–founder meetings standing out as the most impactful moments. The buzz continues as teams share their experiences and plan next steps toward partnership, pilot projects, and expansion.

Congratulations to all eleven winning startups for their outstanding performance, innovative spirit, and commitment to building bridges between ecosystems. Each of them represents the best of what collaboration and creativity can achieve.

Our deepest thanks to the sponsors and partners who made this possible, including , , , , , , , , and our delivery partners , , and — for helping bring the vision of a connected innovation ecosystem to life.

Next up: turning this momentum into pilots, partnerships, and growth across Portugal and the EU.

14/10/2025

In just over a week, the CoimbraTech Challenge 2025 begins — a weeklong celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship, and connection in one of Europe’s most inspiring cities.

We are thrilled to welcome founders, investors, corporates, and ecosystem leaders to Coimbra, where centuries of academic excellence meet a vibrant tech future. Together, we will explore new partnerships, accelerate global growth, and showcase the ingenuity that defines Portugal’s next generation of innovators.

✨ What to expect:
• Startup pitches and panels featuring global founders
• One-on-one meetings with investors and corporates
• Sessions with the Mayor, City of Coimbra, and Instituto Pedro Nunes
• Networking, culture, and collaboration across every corner of the city

This milestone would not be possible without the vision and leadership of our sponsors and partners:
[Brisa]
[Grupo Visabeira]
[Semapa]
[Morais Leitão]
[NOS]
[Noesis]
[Avant Global]
[Santander X]

Let the countdown begin.

03/10/2025

Health innovation isn’t built in isolation, it’s built on ecosystems.

At the center of Coimbra’s rise as Portugal’s health capital is Instituto Pedro Nunes (IPN), one of the world’s top-ranked university-linked incubators (UBI Global Top 10).

For more than three decades, IPN has been the bridge between research and commercialization:

- Supporting spinouts from Coimbra’s medical schools and hospitals

- Accelerating medtech, biotech, and digital health ventures with global reach

- Guiding startups through regulatory, funding, and international scaling pathways

It’s no coincidence that Coimbra, with 4 major hospitals, 5 universities, and world-class R&D, has become the place where health innovation lands, grows, and thrives.

As one IPN leader puts it:
“Our mission has always been to turn knowledge into impact. CoimbraTech is the natural extension of that legacy, bringing the world’s best founders into Europe’s health capital.”

For startups in digital health, biotech, or medtech, Coimbra offers something rare: a city where clinical excellence, research depth, and startup acceleration converge.

🔗 Discover the CoimbraTech ecosystem

17/09/2025

𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Grupo Visabeira

We are proud to recognize Grupo Visabeira, as a valued sponsor of the CoimbraTech Challenge, whose leadership across industries demonstrates the power of innovation with impact.

Grupo VisaBeira brings expertise across telecommunications, construction, industry, tourism, and services. Their commitment to building strong, future-focused businesses is rooted in a vision of resilience, sustainability, and technological advancement.

From connecting people through cutting-edge telecom networks, to developing infrastructure and housing, to driving industrial excellence in ceramics and glass, Grupo VisaBeira is helping to shape both the local and global economy.

Their integrated approach ensures that progress is not just about growth, but about creating long-term value for communities and industries alike.

“True progress comes from collaboration across sectors. As a sponsor of the CoimbraTech Challenge, Grupo VisaBeira is committed to leveraging our expertise in telecom, infrastructure, and industry to support innovation that creates lasting value,” says Paulo Soeiro Ferreira, Head of Engineering and Innovation at Visabeira Global SGPS SA. Coimbra provides a powerful City Lab where innovation can be tested, refined, and scaled to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

Together with Grupo VisaBeira, the CoimbraTech Challenge is highlighting how strong local roots, combined with a global reach, can drive transformational impact.

🔗 Learn more about the CoimbraTech Challenge: https://coimbratech.com/

12/09/2025

Sustainability is no longer a choice; it is an imperative. With the EU committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and ESG investments projected to surpass $53 trillion globally by 2025, companies and cities are under growing pressure to reduce their environmental footprint while ensuring long-term resilience.

This is where Semapa steps in. As one of Portugal’s leading industrial groups and a sponsor of the CoimbraTech Challenge, Semapa has long been committed to sustainability, whether through its pioneering leadership in renewable energy, its focus on circular economy practices, or its investment in greener industrial solutions.

Why Coimbra?
The city offers startups and innovators a unique ecosystem for advancing ESG goals and sustainable solutions:

• Scientific leadership: The University of Coimbra and Instituto Pedro Nunes (IPN) (a top-ten global university business incubator) bring world-class expertise in sustainability, clean tech, and applied research.

• City Lab readiness: Coimbra is already pioneering smart city infrastructure, energy efficiency projects, and sustainable urban development.

• Agricultural and industrial heritage: A base of practical know-how in land, energy, and resource management.

For founders, Coimbra’s ESG and sustainability ecosystem unlocks opportunities to:

• Collaborate with leading research institutions and IPN on clean tech and ESG-focused projects.

• Pilot solutions for renewable energy, waste management, and circular economy models.

• Access EU green transition funds and ESG investment capital.

• Partner with corporates like Semapa to scale sustainable innovations across industries.

Coimbra is where tradition meets transformation and where the next generation of ESG and sustainability breakthroughs will take shape.

🔗 Explore Coimbra’s innovation ecosystem: http://coimbratech.com

09/09/2025

We are honored to welcome Guilherme Horn, Head of WhatsApp Brazil, to our CoimbraTech Challenge 2025 Judging Panel!

career as a fintech pioneer, investor, strategist, and technologist. He founded AGORA, later acquired by Bradesco, and ÓRAMA, the first fully digital bank in Latin America. He has invested in more than 60 startups, served on the boards of fintech associations, and advised some of Brazil’s most innovative ventures.

As a writer, speaker, and global faculty member at Singularity University, he continues to shape conversations on the future of technology.

For more information visit coimbratech.com

03/09/2025

Please join us in welcoming Larry McCarthy from Standard Bank to the CoimbraTech Challenge 2025 All-Star Judging Panel! 🙌

Larry has been at the forefront of fintech investment in Africa, funding ventures that now operate in more than 20 countries. With decades of experience in strategic investments, he is here to spot the next founders with global potential.

👉 Do you want to pitch your startup to Larry and other world-class judges? Applications are open now. Apply today! http://coimbratech.com

28/08/2025

We are honored to welcome Avinoam Sapir to the CoimbraTech Challenge 2025 All-Star Judging Panel!

Avinoam has over 25 years of experience in global healthcare leadership. He has served as CEO of Teva Israel, CEO of SLE, and CEO of Tikun Olam, and later led Teva’s Growth Markets division, managing operations across Africa, the Middle East, Ukraine, and India.

He also co-founded Sanara Ventures, a healthcare innovation incubator backed by Philips and Teva, and today serves as Chairman of Shor Tabachnick while owning Cas-Med, continuing to shape the future of pharma and healthcare innovation.

👉 Does your startup have the next big idea in health, life sciences, or beyond? Apply now for the CoimbraTech Challenge 2025 and pitch directly to Avinoam and our world-class judges

26/08/2025

We are thrilled to welcome Apurva Chamaria from Google to our Judging Panel for the CoimbraTech Challenge 2025!

Apurva has guided companies to IPO, authored best-selling business books, and today supports startups globally at Google. His expertise in scaling businesses will help us identify the next big wave of founders ready to make an impact.

👉 If you are a startup ready to showcase your innovation, do not miss this opportunity.

Apply now to the CoimbraTech Challenge! http://coimbratech.com

24/08/2025

What a Soft Landing Really Means

The CoimbraTech Challenge is not just another competition. It is designed for global founders and startups ready to expand into Europe. Whether you are a health-tech innovator scaling clinical trials, a mobility startup piloting IoT solutions, or a digital platform looking for EU market access.

Expanding abroad can be daunting. That is why our soft landing model focuses on removing friction and making growth achievable. This includes:
• Workspace Membership: Collaborative workspace, networking, events, and workshops.
• Virtual Incubation at IPN: Tech, business, and IP law guidance from one of the world’s top university incubators and official ESA representative.
• Legal Services: Expert support for business incorporation in Portugal.
• Branding Services: Identity and messaging support to position for EU markets.
• Relocation Assistance: Tailored help with housing, local setup, and integration.
• Talent Recruitment: Access to Portugal’s highly skilled workforce.
• Specialized Resources: Consulting, funding application support, flexible offices.
• Training & Development: Masterclasses and workshops on emerging trends.
• Logistics & Admin: Meeting rooms, event spaces, and operational support.

Why it matters: For founders, this is not just about landing in Europe. It is about integrating into a community that helps you scale.

🔗 Apply now: www.coimbratech.com

Coimbra, Portugal: 19 to 23 October 2025

19/08/2025

Spotlight on one of the verticals – Mobility
Mobility is no longer about roads, it is about intelligence.

As the EU targets a 90% reduction in transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, cities like Coimbra are becoming live laboratories for mobility innovation.

At the forefront of this shift is Grupo Brisa, Portugal’s leading mobility operator and a founding sponsor of the CoimbraTech Challenge. Known for operating the country’s highway network and pioneering IoT- and AI-driven traffic systems, Brisa brings startups direct access to infrastructure, expertise, and the scale to take innovations from pilot to market.

Here, infrastructure meets experimentation:
• Highway to innovation: Through Brisa’s extensive network and technology capabilities, startups can pilot solutions on connected highways and urban corridors.
• Urban scale, European reach: Coimbra’s size makes it ideal for rapid deployment and iteration, yet it is strategically located between Lisbon and Porto for scaling pilots.
• Smart city readiness: The region is already pioneering sensor-based traffic management, EV charging infrastructure, and multimodal transport hubs—creating fertile ground for Brisa-led collaborations.

Why Brisa joined CoimbraTech:
As a founding partner, Brisa sees this initiative as an opportunity to advance sustainable, intelligent mobility while fostering a new generation of transport innovators in partnership with both the City of Coimbra and Instituto Pedro Nunes (IPN).

As Ana Almeida Simões, Director of Innovation at Grupo Brisa puts it “Our partnership with CoimbraTech is about more than motorways. It is about connecting ideas, people, and technologies that can redefine how mobility works for both cities and citizens.”

For mobility innovators, Coimbra offers something rare: a City Lab ready to adopt, adapt, and accelerate your technology in real time.

🔗 Discover Coimbra’s innovation ecosystem: http://coimbratech.com