INOVAGAIA prepares startups for the international leap

Early applications to Scale Up with Us may secure free tickets to WebSummit
INOVAGAIA has just launched a new acceleration program aimed at early-stage startups with ambitions for growth and international expansion. Scale Up with Us combines in-person and online sessions, offering specialized mentoring, practical training, and direct access to investors and ecosystem partners.

Over nine weeks, founders will take part in hands-on workshops on strategy, execution, and growth metrics, while working side by side with experienced mentors to overcome key challenges in scalability and traction. The initiative will culminate in a public pitching event, where the two best projects will be recognized.

Participants will gain access to specialized training in key areas such as internationalization, sales cycle, product scalability, accounting and financial planning, digital marketing, team culture and management, as well as investor pitch training. The program also offers one-on-one mentoring with investors, founders, and industry experts, along with integration into a dynamic startup community, networking opportunities, and greater public visibility for selected projects.

Scale Up with Us is designed for startups with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or functional prototype, made up of teams of at least three people, and eager to expand beyond the national market.

Applications are now open at scaleup.inovagaia.pt.
The first selection phase closes on October 30, choosing projects that will have the opportunity to attend WebSummit. The final phase runs until January 11, 2026.

Promoted by INOVAGAIA, which has already supported more than 600 projects from nine different nationalities, the program’s mission is to empower promising startups by connecting strategy, mentorship, and community to prepare them to scale effectively.