Universidade de Lisboa (ULisboa) ranked 1st in the 2025 edition of Portugal’s “Ranking of Entrepreneurial Universities”, in which Instituto Superior Técnico makes a significant contribution to the development of academic entrepreneurship. The distinction was announced by Startup Portugal during the session “Ranking the Universities – How can academia boost this Ecosystem?”, which took place on November 11, 2025, at the Web Summit in Lisbon.
The ranking assesses the performance of national higher education institutions in various areas such as entrepreneurship, innovation, and knowledge transfer, taking into account their ability to transform scientific research into Economic impact initiatives. The position achieved by ULisboa is the result of the joint activity of its schools, research units, and academic community.
In this context, Instituto Superior Técnico is part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Universidade de Lisboa, with a focus on engineering, science, and technology. Among the companies founded by ULisboa alumni are four national unicorns—OutSystems, TEKEVER, Talkdesk, and Anchorage Digital—all of which are connected with academic programmes at Técnico.
ULisboa’s entrepreneurial universe also includes several startups founded by Técnico alumni, which are in different stages of growth, contributing to the presence of Universidade de Lisboa in international markets and to the diversity of business profiles associated with the School.
According to the ULisboa Startup Impact Report 2025, developed in partnership with Dealroom.co, startups created by students and alumni of Universidade de Lisboa have generated over €24 billion and raised more than €850 million in venture capital since 2024. The report also highlights more than 170 academic spinouts associated with ULisboa, with approximately 75% of these located within the municipality of Lisbon.
Técnico contributes to these achievements through its training and scientific activities, as well as mechanisms that promote knowledge and support the creation of business initiatives through dedicated programmes and structures such as Lab2Market.
The distinction awarded by Startup Portugal is part of a broader set of international indicators. In 2025, ULisboa ranked 32nd in Dealroom.co’s European Spinouts Report, also excelling in the Robotics sector, ranking among the top three European institutions in terms of value created by spinouts, where Instituto Superior Técnico plays a significant role.
News published on the 1st day of the Web Summit: Technology, Research and Técnico students at the Web Summit 2025
News published on the 2nd day of the Web Summit: “Técnico is still part of me” – Students’ Organisations and alumni network strengthen community spirit at the Web Summit 2025
News published on the 3rd day of the Web Summit: “Enthusiasm” as a recipe for success and “way of thinking” as a tool: Técnico concluded its participation in the Web Summit 2025
