Why Portugal, Why Now? Building, Landing & Expanding from a Small Market (public, in-person, Lisbon)
More international companies are choosing Portugal as the place to land, build and test - and some are using it as their starting point for Europe. What goes into that decision, and what does it take to succeed once you're here?
For this RedBridge evening with Qonto and the European Longevity Hub, we're looking at the journey into Portugal. Two leaders from very different industries - fintech and longevity - will walk us through their businesses, how they're expanding, and what they've learned building from a smaller market.
Ana Matos - Country Manager Portugal, Qonto Qonto was founded in France to give founders, entrepreneurs and SMEs a simpler way to bank and manage their finances, and it's now expanding into Portugal. Ana will share why Qonto chose Portugal, how an international company decides whether a smaller market is worth entering, and what she's learning about Portuguese founders and business owners through Qonto's customers.
Bruno Pina - CEO, European Longevity Hub ELH is positioning Portugal as a landing and expansion platform for international health and longevity companies entering Europe. Bruno will talk about what companies need when they land in a new ecosystem beyond capital - networks, institutions, talent, regulation, pilots and local credibility. He'll also share the Portugal Blue Zone project, which brings together the municipality, public health stakeholders, companies and the community around a shared longevity strategy, with the goal of building a model other European regions can replicate.
What we'll explore
Why Portugal, and why now?
Can a small market work as a testbed for Europe?
How do you build trust and distribution when you're new to a market?
What do international companies misunderstand about Portugal before they arrive?
What is Portugal already doing well, and what needs to change for more companies to build from here?
The conversation will be followed by drinks and networking with founders, operators and investors from the RedBridge community, the club connecting Portugal's innovation ecosystem with Silicon Valley.
We're thrilled to welcome Qonto as our partner for this event. Qonto aims to empower small businesses through its innovative financial tools.
📆 22 October, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
📍 TBC
Spots are limited.
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All ticket purchases are final and non-refundable. By completing your booking, you agree to these terms.
By attending this event, you acknowledge that photos and videos may be taken and used for promotional purposes. If you prefer not to be photographed, please let a member of the team know on arrival.