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The most transformative ideas in entrepreneurship aren’t just born in accelerators or boardrooms. They emerge when people from different parts of the innovation chain—investors, founders, researchers, corporate leaders, policymakers—come together to confront hard truths and co-design new futures.

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This is exactly what happened at Future XPO, held in the vibrant city of Aveiro, Portugal. Organized by Startupbootcamp, the event stood out not only for the caliber of speakers and projects, but also for its energy—raw, collaborative, and refreshingly real.

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For COREangels, this event wasn’t just another pin on the calendar. It was a powerful expression of what we stand for: bold conversation, early-stage collaboration, and community-first innovation.

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COREangels: Leading and Listening at Future XPO

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Our representation ran deep:

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  • Cintia Mano, CEO of COREangels International, took center stage as a featured speaker, diving into the complexities of attracting and retaining entrepreneurial talent in Europe, and the importance of decentralizing investment decision-making.

  • Rui Falcão, leader of COREangels Porto and COREangels Lisbon, connected with startup founders and public stakeholders around the role of local angel funds in driving sustainable growth.

  • Pedro Bandeira, board member of COREangels and a long-time advocate for tech-driven impact, participated in discussions on early-stage venture investment and the future of capital formation in Southern Europe.

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Each brought a unique lens—but together, their presence reinforced COREangels’ commitment to helping Portugal become a high-functioning node in the global startup network.

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A Showcase of What's Possible

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The event was a powerful showcase of Portugal’s ability to tackle real business challenges and spark the interest of innovation communities from around the globe. We dove into vital conversations—like how to not only attract top talent but retain it, and how we can unite efforts to fund and empower early-stage founders. The energy and collaboration in the room were truly inspiring!

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said Cintia Mano. And she’s right.

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Future XPO didn’t just offer flashy demos or highlight reels—it curated authentic conversations around systemic topics:

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  • How do we ensure early-stage founders aren’t just inspired but funded, trained, and supported?

  • What does it take to retain top tech talent when global companies can outpay local ones?

  • How do angels play a role in transforming regional innovation into global opportunity?

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Instead of shying away from these tough questions, Future XPO brought them to the forefront—sparking constructive debate and cross-sector action planning.

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Portugal: More Than a Rising Star

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Aveiro might not yet be as globally known as Lisbon or Porto—but this event made something clear: the entire country is rising, and COREangels is already building roots in its regional ecosystems.

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From Braga to the Algarve, and now increasingly in Aveiro, Portugal’s talent density, university research, and startup energy are giving rise to new ventures—and new investors.

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At COREangels, we view this not just as an opportunity to grow our deal flow. We see it as a chance to seed angel communities that lead with trust, collaboration, and purpose.

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Reflections from the Room

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Throughout the event, the COREangels delegation engaged in dozens of 1:1 conversations—with students, founders, corporate innovation teams, university researchers, and other fund managers.

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One consistent theme?

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People are looking for capital that listens.
For investors who understand that their greatest value isn’t just their cheque—but their curiosity, their experience, and their willingness to be in the trenches.

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This is the very DNA of COREangels. And events like Future XPO only make it clearer that this model is not just valid—it’s increasingly vital.

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Looking Forward: From Conversation to Collaboration

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The conversations in Aveiro won’t stay in Aveiro. Our fund leaders left with new contacts, new partnerships in development, and even new potential syndicate members for future investment rounds.

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As COREangels continues to build bridges across geographies and verticals—from FoodTech to Climate, from EnterpriseTech to regional funds—this kind of face-to-face exchange remains at the core of our impact.

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To every founder, policymaker, fund manager, and corporate innovator we met: We see your ambition. We share your vision. And we’re ready to co-invest in the future you’re building.

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Let’s keep the momentum going. Portugal is just getting started—and COREangels is here for the long run.