All of this is important. But there is another reality that, although less mediatic, can be equally decisive for the future of the Portuguese economy: private investment in technological startups.

That is precisely why I follow with interest initiatives such as Angels Way. More than an investment fund, it represents a new way of supporting Portuguese companies with international ambition, bringing together hundreds of private investors who are not limited to putting up capital. They participate in the analysis of projects, monitor their evolution and contribute with experience, contacts and knowledge.

The latest investment in Coalex AI is a good example of this strategy. The Portuguese startup has developed a platform that works as a layer of trust for artificial intelligence systems, allowing it to monitor decisions, reduce risks and ensure compliance with regulations such as the European AI Act and DORA. We are talking about one of the biggest challenges in the adoption of artificial intelligence in companies: creating mechanisms that allow trust in the decisions made by autonomous agents, especially in highly regulated sectors such as banking, insurance, health or the pharmaceutical industry.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Paulo Lopes;

In my opinion, this type of investment deserves attention because it accompanies a much larger transformation. The Portuguese economy is finally starting to produce companies that were not born to serve only the national market. They are born from day one with an international vision, developing solutions to global problems. This is perhaps one of the biggest signs of maturity of our technological ecosystem.

It is also relevant that the founders of Coalex bring experience gained in Portuguese companies such as Talkdesk and Feedzai, as well as in the European Commission. This shows that Portugal no longer exports only talent. It is also beginning to reuse this knowledge to create new companies capable of competing in international markets.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Paulo Lopes;

Over the past few years, I have written that Portugal is building a new economy based on technology, artificialintelligence, energy, data and innovation. But this economy does not grow just because there are good entrepreneurs. It grows because there are investors willing to take risks, to support projects at an early stage and to believe that it is possible to create global companies from Portugal.

Angels Way is an example of this change. More than funding startups, it helps build an ecosystem where capital, talent, and knowledge work together. And this may be one of the most important differences between having good ideas and being able to transform them into companies capable of competing in the world.

Because, in the end, the future of the Portuguese economy will depend both on the quality of entrepreneurs and on the ability to find those who believe in them when they are still just an idea.