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Terms&Conditions_R2WS_2025.docx
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ROAD 2 WEB SUMMIT 2025

Call for Portugal-based startups

TERMS & CONDITIONS

PREAMBLE

Road 2 Web Summit is a joint initiative by Startup Portugal and Web Summit to select the best young startups to represent Portugal at one of the biggest tech events in the world, Web Summit, due to happen in Lisbon in November.

To support this participation, the program also provides intensive preparation in a bootcamp that includes learnings on how to navigate the app, how the event will work, how to approach investors, which goals to set for the event, and how to pitch. Currently in its ninth year, the program has already supported more than 860 startups.

The selection process for the Road 2 Web Summit program will be managed by Startup Portugal and Web Summit teams. All participating companies and startups must meet the same criteria as any Web Summit ALPHA or BETA exhibitor, and must be based in Portugal.

To clarify any doubts and additional questions, please contact the Road 2 Web Summit team at road2websummit@startupportugal.com.

CHAPTER 1 – GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

Scope

These Terms & Conditions establish the selection procedures and participation conditions for Startups in the Road 2 Web Summit programme.

Article 2

Objective

The Road 2 Web Summit programme aims to help the best young Portugal-based technology-focused startups from every vertical make the most of their participation in Web Summit, and to reduce the cost of applying for the ALPHA or BETA program by 50%.

Article 3

Promoters

The entities promoting the Road 2 Web Summit programme are:

  1. Startup Portugal - Associação Portuguesa para a Promoção do Empreendedorismo - SPAPPE, headquartered at Rua de Salazares, 842, 4100-442, Porto.
  2. Web Summit - Web Summit Services (Portugal), Unipessoal Lda, headquartered at Avenida António Augusto de Aguiar, Nº 15, 5º Esqº 1050-012 Lisboa

CHAPTER 2 – ORGANIZATION

Article 4

Startup Selection

  1. The Road to Web Summit Jury will select up to 100 Startups after each application period following the criteria mentioned in Article 9. 
  2. Selected startups will be notified directly by Web Summit’s startup team using the contact details provided in the application form, and will have 10 working days from notification to complete registration by paying the remaining fee.

  1. Please note that Web Summit reserves the right to reject applications at their sole discretion based on their own selection criteria (maximum 5 years).

Article 5

Eligible Projects

  1. The projects to be presented may correspond to a new product or service, or a new application of an existing product or service.
  2. There is no limit to the area, vertical or field of presentation of the project.
  3. Startup Portugal and Web Summit are unable to refund and thus accept in the program startups that have already acquired Alpha or Beta program access for Web Summit 2025.

Article 6

Formalization of the Application

  1. The application to the Road 2 Web Summit is free, and must be formalized through the proper form, available at this address: startupportugal.com/programs/road-2-web-summit
  2. The application process consists of correctly filling in the application form and providing all the required data.
  3. By submitting the application, the candidates assume all the responsibility for their participation.
  4. The application must be submitted by the legal representative of the company.
  5. By submitting an application to the Road 2 Web Summit programme, candidates declare that they accept all content set forth in Annex A of these Terms & Conditions.

Article 7

Deadline for Applications

  1.  Applications must be submitted before 23:59 on September 28th, 2025.
  2. The organization reserves the right to extend the application period or open a new call at any time, which will be communicated through the program webpage: startupportugal.com/programs/road-2-web-summit.
  3. Applications will be analyzed on a first come first served basis, subject to availability of spots;
  4. The  analysis process will conclude as soon as all available spots have been filled  or the deadline is passed, whichever occurs first;
  5. Submission of an application does not guarantee placement, as acceptance is contingent upon availability at the time of review.

Article 8

Jury

  1. The Road 2 Web Summit Jury will consist of a representative from Startup Portugal and a representative from Web Summit.
  2. Each entity may freely change its representative during the programme.
  3. Jury members cannot apply to the initiative.
  4. The Jury may consult recognized experts depending on the nature of the applications.
  5. If a Jury member has a direct or indirect interest in a candidate project, they must abstain from evaluation and voting.

Article 9

Application Evaluation

1. The analysis of the projects will consider the following eligibility  criteria:

  1. The startup must, at a minimum, be launched and live with its own working website.
  2. The Startup must be a Portugal-based legal entity that is developing technology-focused projects.
  3. The startup must have a developed brand – at minimum, a logo in vector format, which must be submitted in the application form and will be used in the showcase booth.
  4. The startup must have its own unique software product or solutions, or must be working on its own connected hardware devices.
  5. The startup must not be controlled by a large company or be a subsidiary of a large company.
  6. The startup must have a valid Portuguese VAT (NIPC) number.
  7. The startup must have been recognized  as a startup or a scaleup , in accordance with Law No. 21/2023, of May 25th. (https://startupportugal.com/startup-status/), except if the startup is incubated in a certified RNI incubator and has started the legal recognition process.
  8. The startup must not be a consultancy, agency, developer, marketing/advertising agency or a public company;

2. Exclusions apply to legal entities associated with the Jury, the organizing entities and partners, as well as those whose shareholders are members or employees of these entities and partners.

3. Without prejudice to the provisions of the preceding paragraphs, the selection of the cohort established in article 11(2), will be carried out in parallel, in collaboration with specific partners operating in those fields.

Article 10

Prizes

  1. In addition to selecting startups to receive the support outlined in Article 2, two startups will be selected to receive the prizes described on the following numbers.  
  2.  The jury and partners representatives will award the “Most Promising Startup Prize” to the startup with the highest score from the pitch sessions held at the PORTUGAL x LISBON stand, which will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
            a)     Delivery;

b) Innovation;

c)Team;

d) Financials;

e) Scalability & Growth Potential.

  1. The pitch sessions referred to the previous Paragraph will be done by 15 startups selected on the following criteria:

a)Degree of Innovation / Disruption;

b)International Presence;

c)Participation in Incubation Programs;

d)Investment Attraction Potential;

e)Financial data, Gender and Vertical/Horizontal balance as well as territorial coverage can be taken into account.

Note: For the Global Pitch Sprint (GPS) startups, the 16th, 17th and 18th highest-ranked startups (based on the above criteria) will be considered, with a particular focus on internationalization potential.

5. The Jury will award “Startup With The Best Performance in the Bootcamp and Conference Prize” to the startup that demonstrated the best overall performance during both the Bootcamp and the Conference based on the following criteria:

  1. Bootcamp Engagement;
  2. Exhibition Presence;
  3. Community Spirit;
  4. Active Participation in other Road 2 Web Summit initiatives.

CHAPTER 3 - BENEFITS AND OBLIGATIONS OF CANDIDATES

Article 11

Benefits

  1. Selected  startups will benefit from a 50% discount on Web Summit’s ALPHA or BETA startup programs for Web Summit 2025, which will take place in Lisbon from 10-13 November, 2025.

  1. Up to 25 startups, with projects focused on impact and social inclusion, or founded by underrepresented social minorities, will receive a 100% discount on Web Summit’s ALPHA or BETA startup programs for Web Summit 2025.
  2. The ALPHA and BETA programme includes:
  1. Three (ALPHA) or four (BETA) tickets to Web Summit, giving each team member access to every day of the main event and access to our Night Summit events.
  2. An exhibition booth for one of the three days complete with a printed exhibition board.
  3. Opportunity to apply for startup activations, including our world-renowned PITCH competition, Startup Showcase, Mentor Hours and 40 words.
  4. Access to the Web Summit 2025 mobile app, where you can curate a personalised schedule and build connections before and during the event.
  5. Company branding and a feature on our website and within our networking app.
  6. Access to the dedicated Startup Lounge.
  7. A dedicated Startup Success team to help you with event preparations.

Article 12

Responsibilities of Awarded Candidates

  1. Startups selected for the Road 2 Web Summit program will physically showcase their startup at the event, and will participate in all the startup activities that they are selected for.
  2. Accommodation and transportation to the bootcamp and to Web Summit should be booked and paid for by each startup, individually, and are not the responsibility of the Road 2 Web Summit organization.

Chapter 4 – FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 13

Confidentiality

The promoters undertake to maintain the confidentiality of all documents submitted by the candidates, including those who were unsuccessful, as well as personal data, which will be managed according to the Privacy Policy of Startup Portugal.

Article 13

Omitted information and amendments to the Terms & Conditions

  1. The organization reserves the right, at any time, to change any clause of the present Terms & Conditions document, giving notice of such changes in the locations where the Terms & Conditions are available.
  2. Omitted information will be resolved by Web Summit and Startup Portugal’s representatives

  2. To clarify any doubts and additional questions, please contact the Road 2 Web Summit team at road2websummit@startupportugal.com.

ANNEX A - Declaration

By applying, candidates declare that:

  1. They have read, accepted, and comply with all Road 2 Web Summit rules.
  2. Their submitted concepts are original, free from legal or contractual restrictions.
  3. They take full responsibility for intellectual property claims and the misuse of confidential information.
  4. They will provide additional requested information.
  5. Their project is lawful and does not violate any legal or regulatory provisions.
  6. They authorize the publication of company details (brand name, company name) with partner institutions.
  7. They have read and agreed with the Startup Portugal Privacy Policy and authorizes the processing of their data by Startup Portugal for the purpose of organizing their participation in the Road 2 Web Summit programme.

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