Insights from the TECHSTARS Community Leader Academy

Last week, Margarita, a researcher from Digital+Sustainable Innovation Lab, attended the TECHSTARS Community Leader Academy during the Startups and Investors Matching Conference in Porto on May 3rd and 4th, 2024. The aim of the Academy was to strengthen the national network of community leaders and develop strategies to enhance the Portuguese startup ecosystem. This was done through keynote talks, panel discussions, a case study presentation, a group session and a practical workshop.

‍

The program was organized by the 351 Portuguese Startup Association, supported by Techstars, Turismo de Portugal, and Startup Portugal. The focus was on bringing together 40 selected leaders to share knowledge and experiences on how to build successful startup communities. Margarita represented the academic sector and explored how her research on entrepreneurship and startups ecosystem relates to the discussions and training offered.

‍

‍

The program provided participants with practical tools and a deeper understanding of the entrepreneurial landscape. Among other, it encouraged educational institutions to engage more closely with the community through practical experiences and networking opportunities. The sessions provided Margarita with insights that are relevant to her research project but also allowed to better understand how to bridge academic research with practical startup initiatives.

‍