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EA 2026 | Entrepreneur of the Year - Nominations

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.

📌 Who can be nominated?

• Entrepreneurs or founding teams of startups or scaleups based in Portugal or with significant operations here.

• Demonstrated leadership, business growth, and meaningful contribution to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

• Startups with innovative solutions, technology-driven, and have a scalable model.

📅 Timeline

• Nominations: until September 18, 2026

• Applications: until September 23, 2026 • Award Ceremony: October 2026

🚀 By nominating, you help us celebrate the entrepreneurs shaping the future of Portugal’s innovation ecosystem.