ScaleUp Porto was proud to host representatives of the SCALE Cities network during SIM Conference, bringing together partner cities for two days dedicated to collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strengthening support for high-growth startups across Europe.
The programme began at Porto Innovation Hub, where partner cities aligned on priorities for the year ahead, exchanged best practices, and discussed new initiatives designed to help high-growth companies scale. Participants also got a closer look at the local ecosystem, including ScaleUp Porto’s Matching Founders initiative and funding opportunities available through European programmes.
The group also visited City Hall, where they were welcomed with a guided tour exploring the building’s history and architecture.
The second day took place at SIM Conference, where the network hosted a speed-dating session connecting startups with representatives of several European cities, including Porto, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Barcelona, Stockholm, Sarajevo, and Valencia. Founders explored expansion opportunities, local support programmes, and pathways into new European markets.
The meeting reinforced the importance of collaboration between cities in creating better conditions for startups to grow internationally. It also highlighted a common trend among many founders attending SIM Conference: building companies with global ambitions from day one.
As the SCALE network continues to strengthen cooperation between European ecosystems and develop new initiatives, ScaleUp Porto remains committed to helping build a more connected environment where startups can access the resources, partnerships, and opportunities needed to scale.
