Portugal&#8217;s Decade of Innovation: Secretary of State for Economy Charts a Future of AI-Driven Growth at Web Summit Lisbon 2026
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<img decoding="async" src="https://web-summit-engine.imgix.net/mhlbvtoq24shwt0jfum0vs10la4z?auto=format&amp;fit=fill&amp;fill=solid&amp;fill-color=white&amp;w=600&amp;h=600&amp;fm=jpg&amp;dl=João Rui Ferreira.jpg" alt="João Rui Ferreira" align="left" hspace="10" width="200" style="float:left;margin-right: 15px">
Web Summit Lisbon 2026 concluded, uniting over 70,000 people, fostering millions of ideas and connections. Despite a storm, online engagement continued. Secretary of State for Economy, João Rui Ferreira, delivered closing remarks, reflecting on Portugal&#8217;s transformative decade and signaling new work ahead.

Ten years ago, the question was &#8220;Why Lisbon, why Portugal?&#8221; Today, the answer is clear. The event showcased global founders, investors, and innovators planning ventures in Portugal. The nation has earned the right to ask a different question, moving beyond initial skepticism.

Portugal has achieved international credibility as a leading investment destination. Public debt is below 90% of GDP, employment is at record levels, and budget surpluses are consistent. This stability, recognized by rating agencies, offers greater confidence and new opportunities for investors.

Portugal boasts nearly 500 active startups, supported by universities and research centers. These generate close to €3 billion annually, employing 30,000 people, with over half of sales from international markets. Portugal proudly hosts seven unicorns, demonstrating a vibrant innovation landscape.

Secretary Ferreira, on behalf of the Portuguese government, thanked all contributors: the Web Summit team, founders, investors, Startup Portugal, and Lisbon for its welcome. This collective effort has been vital for the nation&#8217;s technological and economic advancement.

Technology is reshaping economies, and Portugal aims to lead this change. Productivity is a key challenge, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) playing a decisive role. AI already optimizes factory operations, anticipating demand, and integrates with human workforces.

The government plans to connect innovators with industry. AI initiatives will span the country, bringing startups and industry together. The goal is to train 100,000 workers in AI and help businesses adopt this technology. A new research and innovation agency will bridge science and business.

Portugal invites global entities to develop, test, and scale innovations. The ambition is to bring scientific discoveries to market and attract international R&amp;D centers. Secretary Ferreira, from his chemical engineering background, understands manufacturing challenges and believes solutions exist among attendees.

Challenges like securing investment and scaling companies persist. The government announced three commitments: a national entrepreneurship agenda, a better startup law (EU Inc.), and a dedicated investment instrument for deep tech, moving breakthrough technologies to global market scale.

The government sets conditions; building companies is the entrepreneurs&#8217; task. Secretary Ferreira urged founders to build and scale from Portugal, investors to back impactful ideas, and businesses to embrace innovation. He concluded by asking: &#8220;Why build anywhere else?&#8221;

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