Raise your dream to a billion.
Click here to schedule a brief call with our team.
The program
Scaling Up is the first-ever program in Lisbon specialized in providing scaleups with the necessary support to help unlock their growth potential.
Based on the most successful international programs, the program not only develops the critical skills of leadership teams, but also addresses growth challenges, accelerating growth in Portugal and expanding to international markets.
Besides connecting scaleups with experts, mentors and the scaleup community, it also provides continuous exposure to potential corporate partners and clients.
TAILORED EXPERIENCE
HANDS-ON APPROACH
WORLD CLASS EXPERTS
GROWTH MINDSET
The program is for you if
You are founder(s)/senior leader(s) of a tech scaleup from any vertical, background or origin, with the following minimum requirements:
- You have already obtained relevant funding (seed);
- You have a product or service launched generating revenue;
- You have a team in place;
- You have a clear growth trajectory.
Exceptions can eventually be considered, based on the specific context of each scaleup. For questions related with eligibility, please contact us:
Or click here to schedule a brief call with our team.
Our approach
The program presents a learning journey, divided into 5 pillars, providing a practical, immersive and customized experience of growth acceleration: immersive upskilling, mentorship board, corporate matching, international growth and community;
This program allows you to acquire critical skills and tools for successful leadership, promoting key partnerships, networking and execution through structured guidance and support from experts, mentors and the most relevant companies in Portugal;
At the end of the program, participants will be in a privileged position to deal with the various challenges and difficulties they will face during their trajectory, and capture opportunities to achieve sustained accelerated growth.
Immersive Upskilling
FROM FOUNDER TO LEADER, A TRANSFORMATIVE PROGRAM THAT INVESTS IN YOU
Explore Immersive Upskilling
10
Upskilling themes
+400
Founders supported
+€500m
in Capital raised
What to expect
- Practical and hands-on approach to develop the skills founders need to become leaders and tackle the challenges of a high growth organization;
- Insights and plans to be put into action with the help of leading experts and founders with experience in advising and managing high growth companies and unicorns;
- 10 themes with content customized to the needs of each specific scaleup cohort.
Methodology
An immersive framework where founders and leaders who have “been there and done that” spend time working on you and your company. Typical methodology for most themes:
01 / Learn
Engaging group session with tailored content from leading experts
02 / Feel
Engaging group session with real world founders from scaleups/unicorns
03 / Apply
One-on-one meeting with experts to develop your company’s plan
Modules & Workshops
Mentorship Board
CONTINUOUS EXPERT ADVISORY THAT WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE GROWTH STAGE
Explore Mentorship Board
3
Dedicated Mentors
+100
Available Mentors
60%
are International
What to expect
- Scaleup mentoring by 3 dedicated experts, carefully selected through a match-making process, based on your needs and focused on the growth stage;
- Ongoing structured support with regular meetings every 2 months, a safe space for personalized, impartial and confidential advice, while creating sprints to accelerate strategy evolution and fostering growth;
- Access to our mentor network which includes a portfolio of 100+ mentors for support on specific and timely issues.
Our mentors include
- Ex-founders that scaled up their ventures and/or accomplished successful exits;
- C-level executives with an array of functions comprising CEOs, CDOs, COOs, Head of Digital, Head of Innovation and others;
- Industry experts from different verticals, geographies and backgrounds.
Corporate matching
OPEN DOORS TO THE LARGEST AND MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANIES TO ACHIEVE GROWTH IN PORTUGAL
Explore Corporate Matching
+70
Top companies & VCs
+10
Industries
+100
Senior executives
What to expect
- Possibility of presenting the value proposition to large corporate companies operating in Portugal;
- Access to potential partners, customers, investors and successful leaders;
- Structured and constructive support with impartial feedback for fine tuning the business model.
Our corporate partners include
- Global big tech companies;
- Market leaders in Portugal also operating in other geographies;
- Corporates from a broad range of industries with a strong focus on innovation.
International growth
PARTNERS AROUND THE GLOBE THAT WILL GET YOU IN THE MARKETS YOU WANT TO EXPAND
Explore International Growth
+10
Top Geographies
+60
Partners
What to expect
- Access to local support programs and tools in other geographies;
- Introduction to the ecosystem, culture, dynamics and legal structure of destination markets;
- Introduction to potential partners, clients and investors abroad.
What to expect
- Connect with program peers while integrating Unicorn Factory Lisboa’s vibrant community, comprised of alumni and founders of other scaleups and unicorns who have been through it all;
- Join Unicorn Factory Lisboa’s diverse array of events, a great networking opportunity for you to grow your connections;
- Reach out, learn and get invaluable advice from other founders and the community as a whole.
Our events include
- Talks, fireside chats, meetings on relevant themes;
- Speakers, mentors, experts, founders and thought leaders;
- Networking and social events.
At a glance
Duration
8 months
Target
Post-seed scaleups, Strong team in place, Product/Service market fit, Clear growth trajectory, Expanding internationally
Format
Face-to-face and Remote
English
Applications
On-going applications
3 Cohorts per year
Strategic Partners
Program Partners
Investment Partners
Testimonials
"The Unicorn Factory program tops our list of startup programs attended. From day one, they connected us with investors, clients, and advisors. Their team went above and beyond to support our growth."
"The program is meeting all our high-expectation. We’re connected with other teams that share the same challenges and we were able to discuss new opportunities with all the talented mentors, especially when it comes to the next steps for Leadzai’s further internationalization"
"For ORNA Inc. our initial time on The Unicorn Factory accelerator has had a significant impact on what we are trying to achieve in securing a business beachhead in Europe as we scale out of Canada. The Unicorn Factory Lisboa is an accelerator we would recommend to any startup looking to increase knowledge, network and opportunities."
"Working with Unicorn Factory Lisboa has been a fantastic experience. They’ve taken a hands-on approach, sharing best practices among the various startups they’ve taken under their wing, providing top mentorship opportunities from both national and internacional sources, and supporting our efforts towards internationalization. Looking forward to our next steps together!"
"Being part of the first cohort of the Scaling Up Program has been immensely beneficial for Sensei, as it has provided us with invaluable resources and guidance necessary for accelerating growth and achieving success in a highly competitive international market."
Previous
Next
How to Apply
1
Step 1
Continuous Applications
On-going applications
3 Cohorts per year
2
Step 2
Initial Pitch and Scaleup Selection
Opportunity to present to admissions jury
3
Step 3
Welcome Event and beginning of the Program
Networking to break the ice and get everyone onboard
4
Step 4
Mentor & Corporate Matching
Identification of the mentors and corporates best suited to accelerate growth
or click here to schedule a brief call with our team.