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€5,000

winner's prize money

Free incubation

at INOVAGAIA

Hands-on

learning

Tailored

Mentorship

Boost your startup, scale your future

Scale up with us is a hands-on acceleration programme that helps startups sharpen their strategy, learn from mentors, and connect with investors — all while building the skills to grow with confidence.

Scale up with us is all about giving early-stage startups the boost they need to grow faster and smarter. Over nine weeks, founders dive into hands-on workshops, connect with top mentors, and gain real insights from entrepreneurs who’ve already scaled. It’s the place to level up your startup and unlock new growth opportunities.

Hands-on learning that drives real growth
Gain the practical skills and strategic clarity your startup needs to scale — guided by experts and rooted in real-world execution.
Mentorship tailored to your journey
Work closely with experienced mentors who understand your challenges, help you navigate complexity, and accelerate your path forward.
A community that moves you further
Join a dynamic network of founders, innovators, and partners ready to collaborate, open doors, and fuel new opportunities.
A stage to showcase your potential
Pitch your startup to investors, corporates, and media — and turn visibility into partnerships, traction, and lasting impact.

Prizes

Winning at Scale up with us means more than recognition — it means unlocking real opportunities for growth.

#1

1st Place

€5,000 prize money plus 12 months of free incubation to accelerate your startup’s growth.

#2

2nd Place

Enjoy 12 months of free incubation, giving your startup the space, support, and ecosystem it needs.

#3

3rd Place

Benefit from 6 months of free incubation, gaining access to mentoring, community, and the right conditions.

#4

4th to 10th Place

Receive 6 months of virtual incubation, connecting your project to the INOVAGAIA ecosystem — wherever you are.

Benefits

Joining scale up with us programme means more than just training — it’s about building momentum.

Access to Web Summit

The first four eligible applications will receive free access to the Web Summit.

Prize Money

Win €5,000 to accelerate your startup’s journey. The winner of the final event will receive funding to support key milestones.

Free Incubation

Access up to 12 months of free incubation at INOVAGAIA, with mentoring, networking, and personalised support to help your business grow.

Ecosystem

Get direct access to investors, industry leaders, and startups, opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations.

Mentoring

Work with experienced mentors who provide tailored guidance to match your startup’s unique challenges and goals.

Training

Join expert-led sessions from fundraising to leadership, designed to sharpen your skills and accelerate growth.

Access to Web Summit

The first four eligible applications will receive free access to the Web Summit.

Prize Money

Win €5,000 to accelerate your startup’s journey. The winner of the final event will receive funding to support key milestones.

Free Incubation

Access up to 12 months of free incubation at INOVAGAIA, with mentoring, networking, and personalised support to help your business grow.

Ecosystem

Get direct access to investors, industry leaders, and startups, opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations.

Mentoring

Work with experienced mentors who provide tailored guidance to match your startup’s unique challenges and goals.

Training

Join expert-led sessions from fundraising to leadership, designed to sharpen your skills and accelerate growth.

This is where startups learn to scale smarter.

Language
English
Format
Online + In-person
Location
Inovagaia
Duration
9 weeks
Price
Free
Early-stage startups with a clear problem to solve and a defined product or MVP.
Founders who are passionate, resilient and looking for private funding.
Teams of 3 or more entrepreneurs looking to grow their business and expand internationally.

Sessions Available

Here’s what to expect. We keep the pace intense but rewarding — designed to get real results in a short time.

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Metrics & Unit Economics

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Internationalization

3

Sales Cycle

4

Product Scalability & Product-Led Growth

5

OKRs, FAST Goals & AI

6

Pitch Deck Design & Pitch Training

7

Peer Learning

8

Accounting & Financial Planning

9

Fundraising Preparation

10

Market Selection Tools

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Digital Marketing

12

Team & Culture

13

Legal & Cross-Border Operations

14

Non-Dilutive Funding

Experts

Guidance from experienced founders, industry leaders, investors and experts who know what it takes to scale.

Paulo Pereira
Growth catalyzer | CEO & founder
Humberto Ayres Pereira
Co-founder Rows.com
Rita Branco
Board Member @3xP Global
Paula Pinho
Incentives Partner at KPMG
António Rocha
Co-Founder & CTO @ Smartex
João Franqueira
Chief People Officer @ Coverflex
Mart Kikas
Senior Innovation Coach
João Afonso
Business Devolper – Arts
Maria Oliveira
Business Director
Pedro Pinto
Business Developer – Tech
Raphael Stanzani
Entrepreneurship Programme Manager
Susana Pinheiro
Business Developer – Sciences
Luís Santos
General Coordinator & Mentor

Timeline

Applications Open
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Applications Open
09 October 2025
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Cutoff date (Web Summit)
30 October 2025
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Applications Deadline
11 January 2026
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Selection
14 January 2026
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Kick-off
21 January 2026
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Workshops and Individual Mentoring
22 January — 20 March
6
Pitch Day
March 24
7

Want to know more?

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INOVAGAIA Environment
"When we start a project it is necessary to do it consciously, sometimes this involves asking for help. INOVAGAIA was essential in making this change a safe change."
Mr. Jones
"A lot of the reason why I’ve really enjoyed starting my business here in Portugal is because of INOVAGAIA and the guidance I’ve received from them."
Vicent
BoostCamp
€384M
Business Volume
+600
Supported Companies
9
Nationalities

Backed by leading organizations that believe in the power of innovation. They provide financial support, market access, technical expertise, and credibility to help startups grow faster.

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