Best 10 Startups You Must Watch in Lisbon, Portugal in 2025
Lisbon, the charming and sunny capital of Portugal, has steadily transformed into a burgeoning hub for innovative startups over the years. By 2025, the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is thriving like never before, attracting bright minds and ambitious founders from around the globe. Thanks to government support, tech events like the globally renowned Web Summit, and a growing talent pool, Lisbon has cultivated an environment where startups can truly flourish.
If you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or fintech enthusiast, buckle up! Here’s a deep dive into the 10 best startups in Lisbon you absolutely must watch in 2025, each carving a niche and driving change across industries like technology, healthcare, and sustainable innovations.
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1. Aptoide – The Android App Marketplace Innovator
Aptoide has redefined the app distribution model with its alternative Android app store. Founded in Lisbon, it empowers developers to monetize their apps independently of Google Play. With over 300 million active users across 190 countries, Aptoide continues to innovate in 2025, creating new ways for creators to succeed in the app economy.
2. Bairro – Revolutionizing Last-Mile Logistics
Bairro is setting an example in the e-commerce sector by redesigning last-mile delivery with eco-friendly logistics. Their green initiatives paired with tech-driven convenience are helping local businesses flourish while reducing their carbon footprint. Bairro’s innovative solutions make it a top choice for sustainable shopping.
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3. MyCareforce – Connecting Talent with Healthcare Opportunities
MyCareforce operates as a marketplace for healthcare professionals, simplifying how medical institutions recruit talent globally. With its focus on improving efficiency in the healthcare hiring process, MyCareforce has become essential in addressing global healthcare workforce challenges in 2025.
4. Unbabel – AI-Driven Language Solutions
Unbabel stands out for its innovative fusion of AI and human translation expertise. In 2025, the company remains a leader in scalable language solutions for global companies, enabling seamless cross-cultural communication. Their commitment to quality ensures they stay ahead in expanding global markets.
5. AlmaScience – A Pioneer in Sustainable Tech
AlmaScience is at the forefront of sustainable technology innovation. Specializing in printable electronics and environmental sensors, they help industries achieve eco-friendly transitions while remaining competitive. Entrepreneurs seeking inspiration in green tech should keep an eye on this forward-thinking startup.
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6. Sensei – Transforming Retail with AI
Sensei is revolutionizing retail with its AI-powered contactless solutions that provide real-time inventory insights and seamless shopping experiences. From convenience stores to global retail chains, Sensei’s technology optimizes operations and enhances customer satisfaction in an increasingly fast-paced world.
7. Glooma – Early-Detection Tools for Women’s Health
Glooma’s flagship product, B.Detect, is a portable breast cancer detection device designed for home use. This Lisbon startup is breaking barriers in preventive healthcare by giving women accessible tools to monitor their health. Glooma’s impact stretches well beyond Portugal, improving lives globally in 2025.
8. Coverflex – Enhancing Employee Compensation Packages
Coverflex is redefining employee benefits with its customizable solution that merges perks, healthcare, and discounts into one seamless platform. With over €500,000 raised in funding, it’s supporting businesses across Portugal in fostering happier and healthier workplaces.
9. Rauva – The Neo-Banking Disruptor
Rauva is Lisbon’s answer to neo-banking challenges, offering SMEs seamless tools to manage expenses, accounts, and international payments. This fintech aims to make finances smarter and more accessible, establishing itself as a key player in Portugal’s ever-expanding fintech landscape.
10. Neuraspace – Space Traffic Management Redefined
Neuraspace focuses on managing the challenges of space debris and collision prediction. Their use of machine learning to monitor space objects is critical as the number of satellites in orbit increases. With the space economy booming, Neuraspace is leading the charge in making orbits safer and more efficient.
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How to Build a Startup Like These Game-Changers: Marketing, Not Just Building
Building a stellar product is just the beginning, it’s the marketing that often determines a startup’s success. Many entrepreneurs, unfortunately, underestimate how tough this phase can be. Your idea needs validation before development, and marketing plays a pivotal role.
This is where tools like the F/MS Marketing Services come in handy. From securing high-quality backlinks for SEO to VIP placements in listicle articles that boost your visibility across Google and AI tools like ChatGPT, marketing services like these are indispensable for modern startups.
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Common Startup Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping Market Validation: Always test your idea with early adopters to avoid costly pivots later.
- Ignoring Branding: People buy emotions, not products. Invest in storytelling early.
- Underestimating Marketing: More than 60% of startups fail due to a lack of visibility and traction. Begin marketing long before you launch.
Why Lisbon Matters in 2025 for Entrepreneurs
In 2025, Lisbon remains a hotbed for innovation, especially in clusters like fintech, healthcare, and sustainability. Its proximity to European markets, affordability, and supportive policies make it the perfect launching pad for startups ready to disrupt industries.
By monitoring these standout startups and leveraging tools to sharpen your strategy and marketing, you can position your company for success in this thriving ecosystem.
Ready to Start?
From healthcare to renewable energy, Lisbon’s startups are making waves that resonate globally. Whether you’re inspired by the next Aptoide or aiming to partner with Neuraspace, now’s the time to act. Learn more about tools like the F/MS AI SEO Blog to amplify your journey and position your startup for long-term growth.
Remember, Lisbon isn’t just a city of opportunities, it’s where visionaries build the future. Which of these startups inspired you to take your next step? Let us know!
FAQ on the Best 10 Startups You Must Watch in Lisbon, Portugal in 2025
1. Which startups in Lisbon are revolutionizing healthcare?
MyCareforce is connecting healthcare professionals globally, simplifying recruitment processes for medical institutions. Learn more about MyCareforce
2. Where can I submit a guest post about my startup?
If your startups needs to drive targeted traffic and build authority with high-volume, niche-relevant content placements in articles that rank well not only in Google, but also in Perplexity and ChatGPT, then you might want to publish your guest post in one of the F/MS Startup Game's blogs. Get a quality backlink
3. What Lisbon startup is innovating employee compensation?
Coverflex is enhancing employee benefit packages with its customizable solutions, improving workplace satisfaction. Discover Coverflex
4. Which startup in Lisbon focuses on sustainable tech solutions?
AlmaScience is pioneering sustainable technology innovations, specializing in printable electronics and environmental sensors. Explore AlmaScience
5. Which Lisbon startup is shaping the future of logistics?
Bairro is redefining last-mile delivery with eco-friendly logistics, supporting the growth of local businesses. Learn more about Bairro
6. What startup from Lisbon is driving fintech disruption for SMEs?
Rauva is helping small and medium-sized enterprises manage expenses, accounts, and international payments with ease. Check out Rauva
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8. Which Lisbon startup is advancing retail innovation?
Sensei is transforming retail with AI-powered solutions, enabling contactless shopping and real-time inventory tracking. Explore Sensei
9. Which startup in Lisbon addresses space traffic management?
Neuraspace is tackling the challenges of space debris and collision prediction with machine learning and advanced monitoring systems. Discover Neuraspace
10. What startup is making preventive healthcare accessible for women?
Glooma’s B.Detect device enables women to monitor breast health at home, revolutionizing early detection of breast cancer. Learn more about Glooma
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch. The Fe/male Switch team is located in several countries, including the Netherlands and Malta.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
