Web Summit Qatar, which runs in Doha from February 1 to 4, is hosting the first Portuguese delegation of startups.
The Portuguese delegation comprises 23 companies that operate in multiple sectors. Five of the startups are involved as part of Startup Portugal’s Business Abroad programme and have already received investments of around €13.5 million and employ over 100 professionals.
The delegation is supported by Startup Portugal and Unicorn Factory Lisboa and represent a strategic step in positioning Portuguese startups in the most relevant global ecosystems in terms of capital, technology, and international expansion.
The Middle East has been asserting itself as one of the main centres of investment in innovation, attracting sovereign wealth funds, venture capital and major technological players, creating unique opportunities for companies with global ambitions.
It is also worth noting that the Portuguese presence reveals a significant set of projects focused on Healthtech and Wellness, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
The companies selected as part of Startup Portugal’s Business Abroad are: Complear – a company that uses AI to automise the certification of software in critical sectors; Criamknowledge – develops portable medical devices to automate blood diagnostics and rapidly detect illnesses on site; sheerME – an app that helps consumers find, reserve and pay for beauty and wellness services with cash back and additional benefits; Move – a marketplace leader in the purchase, optimisation and resell of businesses, especially geared towards non-professional buyers; itRecruiter – talent recruitment with AI and automation.
The other companies are taking part in partnership with Unicorn Factory Lisboa or are registered independently. In addition to Healthtech and Wellness, the startups also come from the world of Fintech, Human Resources, Agritech, E-commerce, Tourism, and Education.
“The Middle East is an important region for internationalisation of our startups and this mission is a concrete opportunity to continue to create partnerships, attract investment, and give visibility to innovation developed in Portugal,” said Alexandre Santos, President of Startup Portugal.
Source: Essential Business
