Level up your game
The Acceleration Program that will take your startup to another level
Why Launchpad is what you have been looking for
At Launchpad, we turn ambition into execution. We challenge assumptions, test fast, and give founders the frameworks, mentorship, and connections to build ventures that last.
From Idea to Fundraising
01. Ignition
Spark your vision. For founders with bold ideas, no funding yet, and the hunger to validate their path.
You’ll leave with clarity on your value proposition, first validation steps, and tactical tools to start building.
3 workshops
- Idea validation
- Product development and Pilot Canvas
- Marketing, Data & Metrics
apply until
21st of November 2025
02. Acceleration
Go beyond traction. For founders with a product, early users, and the drive to go all-in.
You’ll sharpen your business model, design your growth engine, and learn how to pitch with impact.
6 workshops
- Strategy
- Sales
- Growth Hacking
- Test & Validate your business model
- Financial Essentials
apply until
28th of December 2025
03. Investment
The moment of truth. For ventures ready to scale with capital.
You’ll build your investment story, assemble a solid data room, and stand before the right investors to raise your round.
2 workshops + 2 training days (live) + 1 Demo day
- All about fundraising
- How to build the perfect fundraising pitch
- Training
- Pitch to investors
apply until
30th March 2026
The Timeline
01. Ignition
25 November 2025
Program Kick Off
26 November 2025
Workshop 1
3 December 2025
Workshop 2
17 December 2025
Workshop 3
30 December 2025
Closing session – Founder 2 Founder
02. Acceleration
7 January 2026
Workshop 4
21 January 2026
Workshop 5
4 February 2026
Workshop 6
10 February 2026
Event – Founder 2 Founder
18 February 2026
Workshop 7
4 March 2026
Workshop 8
18 March 2026
Workshop 9
24 March 2026
Closing session – Founder 2 Founder
03. Investment
1 April 2026
Workshop 10
15 April 2026
Workshop 11
1 May 2026
Training day
2 May 2026
Training day
2 May 2026
Investors day + Networking
Why apply?
Because speed matters. Because access changes everything.
With Launchpad you’ll have:
• Mentors who are builders, not just advisors
• Access to investors seeking the next big bet
• Opportunities to run pilots with strategic partners
• A tribe of ambitious founders pushing forward together
• Community events to share ideas, questions and doubts, find co-founders and partners
Ready to Build? Apply Now. It takes only 3 min to apply.
This is where ambition meets execution. Take the leap, the rest we’ll build together.
Meet the Builders
Our team gathers one of the best lineup of mentors, founders and investors currently available. They are experienced, they have been in the place you are now and they know exactly how to help you to get to the next level.
Carlos Mendes
Managing Partner
UNION Venture Builders
Diogo Bhovan
Founder & Lead Investor
DBh Ventures
Eduardo Costa
Founder & Partner
Driven Venture Builders
Filipe Cordeiro
Co-Founder
Igniteers
Gonçalo Marques
Co-Founder CEO
M2k Consultoria
Ivanoel Rodrigues
Co-Founder and Chief Visionary Officer (CVO)
Hortee
José Alberto Rocha
Co-Founder & CEO
Igniteers
João Pereira
CTO
Build Up Labs
Mário Tarouca
Co-Founder
Framedrop
Tomás Caeiro
Founder
startUP23
more soon…
Our partners
FAQ
1. Who can apply?
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For the entirety of the program, business ideas, individuals or startups at Pre-Seed or Seed stage with ambition to scale.
Our recommendation is:
If you never took part in an acceleration program, then Ignition stage is the place to start.
If you already have participated in an acceleration program but still feel the need to consolidate kownledge, then the acceleration stage is where you should be.
If you already know everything you wish to know about entrepreneurship fundamentals and are currently in fundraising stage, then join at the Investment stage.
2. Do you take equity?
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The short answer is no.
That said, we are a venture builder and if we take interest in your project, we will approach you in order to invest in your project. That’s a different subject not related to the acceleration program.
3. What’s the time commitment?
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Our program spans nearly 6 months.
You will attend workshops every two weeks.
Each workshop is 1h and its online.
Until the next workshop you’ll have meetings with the mentors in order to work on your specific needs.
There is also Founders 2 Founders meetings online, where the participants can share and network with each other.
The program will end with the investor day, a live event in Porto, Portugal.
4. Can I join from outside Portugal?
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Yes — the program welcomes international founders, with hybrid and in-person options.
5. What language is the program conducted in?
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The program is primarily conducted in English to accommodate an international audience. However, some mentoring sessions and resources may be available in Portuguese depending on the mentor and participant preferences.
6. Can I apply for different stages of the program or I’m obligated to go through the entire program?
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You can apply for different stages if you want.
But to get the most out of this program, we recommend to enroll the entire program.
Applicants that attend any stage, automatically have access to the next stage.
7. Do I need to pay a fee?
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This program is totally free of charge.