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.

CHAPTER 1 – GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

Scope

The Regulations establish the selection procedures and participation conditions for Startups in the Road 2 Web Summit initiative.

Article 1

Objective

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

Article 2

Promoters

The entities promoting the Road 2 Web Summit program 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 3

Startup Selection

1. Startups will be selected after each application period, with selection carried out by a team made up of people from Startup Portugal and from Web Summit’s startup team, and following the criteria mentioned in Article 8.
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.

Article 4

 Recipients

1. The Road 2 Web Summit program aims to support Portuguese technology-focused startups and entrepreneurs who develop projects with high growth potential, and who bet on innovative and unique products or services.
2. Candidates must be Portugal-based legal entities that are developing technology-focused projects. Please note that Web Summit reserves the right to reject applications at their sole discretion based on their own selection criteria (maximum 5 years).
3. Exclusions apply to legal entities associated with the organizing entities and partners, as well as those whose shareholders are members or employees of these entities and partners.
4. Startup Portugal and Web Summit are unable to refund and thus accept in the program companies that have already acquired Alpha or Beta program access for Web Summit 2025.

Article 5

Context

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.

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. The application must be submitted by the legal representative of the company.
4. By submitting an application to the Road 2 Web Summit initiative, candidates declare that they accept the terms and conditions set forth in Annex A of this regulation.
5. When submitting the Road 2 Web Summit application, candidates declare to have knowledge of and to accept the terms of the present Terms & Conditions. They also declare that they have been informed about the Privacy Policy and the processing of Personal Data and consent to the processing of their personal data for the purpose of organizing

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 2 permanent members:

1. 1 representative from Startup Portugal;
2. 1 representative from Web Summit

2. Each entity may appoint an alternate member.
3. The Jury may disqualify candidates if applications do not meet thematic and/or quality requirements. Additionally, Jury members cannot apply to the initiative.
4. The Jury may consult recognized experts depending on the nature of the applications. 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 evaluation criteria:

• The startup must, at a minimum, be launched and live with its own working website.
• 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.
• The startup must have its own unique software product or solutions, or must be working on its own connected hardware devices.
• Consultancies, agencies, developers, marketing/advertising agencies and public companies are not eligible to apply.
• Startups must be an independent company and not a subsidiary of a larger organization.
• The startup must have a valid Portuguese VAT (NIPC) number.
• 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/).*

*Startups that are incubated in a certified RNI incubator and have started the legal recognition process will also be considered.

2.  In the event of a tie, priority will be given to startups that have never participated in previous editions of the Road 2 Web Summit program.

3. Startups will need to undergo a video interview as part of the selection process. It will assess numerous criteria, including the team, product, traction, investment and roadmap, and the startup’s expectations for the event.

CHAPTER 3 - BENEFITS AND OBLIGATIONS OF CANDIDATES

Article 10

Benefits

1. 100 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.

2. Road 2 Web Summit is under no obligation to select 100 startups. If there are fewer than 100 candidates that fulfill the required criteria, the final number of selected startups may be lower.

3. 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. The selection of this cohort will be carried out in parallel, in collaboration with specific partners operating in these fields.

4. The ALPHA and BETA programme includes:

• 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.
• An exhibition booth for one of the three days complete with a printed exhibition board.
• Opportunity to apply for startup activations, including our world-renowned PITCH competition, Startup Showcase, Mentor Hours and 40 words.
• Access to the Web Summit 2025 mobile app, where you can curate a personalised schedule and build connections before and during the event.
• Company branding and a feature on our website and within our networking app.
• Access to the dedicated Startup Lounge.
• A dedicated Startup Success team to help you with event preparations.

Article 11

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 12

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 Web Summit and Startup Portugal.

Article 13

Amendments to the Terms & Conditions

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.

Article 14

Final Provisions

1. 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.
3. Submitting an application for the Road 2 Web Summit program implies full acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.

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ANNEX A – Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy

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 while ensuring full compliance with confidentiality obligations (Article 12).
7. They fully agree 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 program.