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Gil Azevedo

Unicorn Factory Lisboa

Executive Director
Gil Azevedo is the Executive Director of Unicorn Factory Lisboa, a leading European innovation hub dedicated to scaling high-growth startups and scaleups, while attracting international tech companies to Lisbon. With a strong background in entrepreneurship, innovation, and digital transformation, he has played a key role in positioning Lisbon as a global tech destination, fostering meaningful connections between startups, investors, and corporates. He led the creation of Unicorn Factory Lisboa, further strengthening the city’s innovation ecosystem. Previously, Gil was Senior Vice President at Emirates NBD, where he oversaw Digital, Marketing, Analytics, and Customer Experience. Prior to that, he spent over a decade at McKinsey & Company, advising organizations on strategy and transformation.
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Growth Stage
Jun 4, 2026
4:00 PM4:30 PM

Portugal’s Innovation Ecosystem: Building a Hub for Global Scale

Gil Azevedo
Description
Portugal has rapidly emerged as a dynamic hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, attracting startups, talent, and global investment. This session will explore how the country is positioning itself on the global stage, highlighting five key lessons for scaling beyond local markets. It will examine how effective innovation hubs are built by connecting startups, corporates, and talent, and what other ecosystems can learn from Portugal’s approach to driving sustainable growth and global relevance.
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