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EA 2026 | Entrepreneur of the Year - Application

Unicorn Factory Lisboa annually distinguishes the Entrepreneur of the Year, an award named after João Vasconcelos, who played a defining role in shaping Portugal's innovation ecosystem.

Now in its 8th edition, the award is part of the Entrepreneurship Awards 2026 and recognizes an entrepreneur, or founding team, leading a company with significant operations in Portugal, who stand out for their leadership, vision, and the progress they've achieved in scaling their business.

📌 What are we considering?

• Vision and strategy in the expansion of their startup

• Strong leadership and team management skills

• Remarkable growth and performance in the past year (Oct 2025 - Sept 2026)

• Contribution to the Portuguese entrepreneurial ecosystem

• International ambition and scalability of the business model

📌 Process & next steps

• Applications open until September 23, 2026

• All applications will be reviewed for eligibility against the criteria above

• Pre-selected startups will be invited to a remote jury session • Finalists will present live at the Entrepreneurship Awards Ceremony in October 2026, where the winner will be announced

👉 Take the time to complete this form carefully - your responses will be used by the jury throughout the evaluation process and this is your opportunity to share your journey, your achievements, and your vision for the future.