Investor Talks Turns Portimão Into Portugal’s Capital of Money

More than two thousand participants attended in person, with thousands more following online, and the energy in the room was undeniable. What began just three years ago as a modest initiative has now become a landmark in the national conversation about money, investment, and entrepreneurship.

The organizers deserve recognition for creating a space where financial literacy is not only discussed but celebrated. Too often, money is a subject that people avoid, either out of fear, ignorance, or cultural habit. Investor Talks breaks that taboo by putting young people, entrepreneurs, and investors together on the same stage. The presence of influencers and social media personalities gave this year’s edition a very clear orientation toward Generation Z and millennials. These speakers connect with audiences who live on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, and they succeed in making concepts such as compound interest, saving habits, or first steps in the stock market sound relevant and achievable. The younger crowd responded with enthusiasm, and this is no small accomplishment. If even a fraction of those in attendance start managing their money more consciously, the event has already succeeded.

But there was more to the experience than ideas. Outside the main halls, the show began with an impressive display of luxury cars by Belouracar. Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Porsches lined up at the entrance, setting the tone for what many in the audience dream of achieving. For the younger participants, these cars are not simply machines; they are powerful symbols of ambition and success. The VIP area echoed this mood, filled with entrepreneurs and guests who arrived in equally eye-catching vehicles. For some, this was pure show off, but for others it served as a reminder of what can be possible when financial strategies are applied with discipline and determination. In either case, it created a sense of aspiration that charged the atmosphere with excitement.

As positive as this energy was, it also revealed an imbalance. The overwhelming majority of speakers were young, dynamic, and often more focused on digital entrepreneurship and quick success stories than on the deeper mechanics of economic life. Only a handful of voices represented decades of experience in real estate, stock trading, business promotion, or the broader economic cycles that shape our financial reality. This is a pity, because while it is essential to capture the imagination of the younger generation, it is equally important to provide them with the wisdom of those who have navigated crises, recessions, wars, and global shifts. Having lived through more than five decades of these changes, I felt that perspective was missing, and that the event would benefit enormously from including more seasoned entrepreneurs and investors.

The truth is that the economy is not only about artificial intelligence, digital platforms, or new startups. It is also about psychology, about how markets react to fear and confidence, about the influence of geopolitics. The decisions of the United States government, the rise of China and India, and the often overlooked potential of Europe all shape the opportunities and risks that investors face. We live in a world where wars and post-war realities change the direction of markets overnight, and no number of motivational speeches can replace the hard lessons learned from history. These are precisely the insights that experienced business leaders could and should bring to the table.

That said, Investor Talks deserves applause for what it has already achieved. It has created a stage where financial literacy is no longer a dry subject, but something exciting, aspirational, and shared. The inclusion of free tickets for people under 24 was a smart move, ensuring that the event reached those who need it most. The hybrid format, with high-quality streaming, allowed audiences well beyond Portimão to participate. And the range of topics, from simple budgeting to real estate investment and trading strategies, provided entry points for people at different stages of their financial journey.

Where Investor Talks can now grow is in its ambition. It has already become the number one stage for financial literacy in Portugal. The next step should be to transform it into a true business forum, a place where knowledge flows not only from influencers to followers, but also between seasoned entrepreneurs and those just starting out. Imagine Investor Talks where a 20-year-old crypto enthusiast can sit next to a 60-year-old real estate developer, and both can share what they know and what they have learned the hard way. That is where real value lies: in building bridges between generations, so that enthusiasm meets experience and ambition is guided by wisdom.

I left the Portimão Arena convinced that this event has the potential to become more than a show of flashy cars and motivational speeches. Those elements are not bad; they attract attention and inspire. But the real power of Investor Talks will come when the spectacle is combined with the sharing of deep, practical knowledge offered not just for individual gain but for the collective good. I, for one, am ready to contribute. With the skills, knowledge, and experience I have gathered over more than five decades, I am eager to help younger generations avoid the mistakes of the past and seize the opportunities of the future.

Investor Talks 2025 was vibrant, ambitious, and well received. It was also a reminder that Portugal is ready to talk openly about money and to prepare its people for a financially healthier future. If the organizers embrace the challenge of bringing more seasoned voices into the conversation, this event could evolve into one of the most important financial and business forums in Europe. And that would be a legacy worth building, not just for Portimão, but for an entire generation.

Paulo Lopes is a multi-talent Portuguese citizen who made his Master of Economics in Switzerland and studied law at Lusófona in Lisbon - CEO of Casaiberia in Lisbon and Algarve.

Paulo Lopes