Peers Around the World: Building community, driving innovation, and the park as a connector

In this month’s edition of our Peers Around the World series, where we hear from leaders in innovation from across our global network, we spoke with António Cardoso Pereira, CEO at LISPOLIS in Portugal . He reflects on the park's 35-year journey, his experience as CEO of the park and positioning Lisbon as a global hub for health tech.

You spent over three decades as a lawyer and in a senior role at IAPMEI - the public Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation, supporting Portuguese SMEs. What was this transition like, moving from a public-sector role into the day-to-day leadership of a privately funded entity such as LISPOLIS?    

The transition from a public-sector role to leading a privately funded entity like LISPOLIS was both challenging and stimulating. At IAPMEI, the focus was on designing and implementing public policies to support SMEs on a national scale. At LISPOLIS, the impact is more immediate and tangible, with a direct connection to the companies we support on a daily basis. 

In a privately funded environment, there is a stronger emphasis on efficiency, sustainability, and responsiveness to market needs. At the same time, my experience in the public sector remains highly valuable, particularly in understanding support instruments, funding mechanisms, and how to connect companies with the broader innovation ecosystem.   

You work with entrepreneurs at very different stages of their journeys, from experienced founders to younger innovators taking their first steps through LISPOLIS IGNITE. What role does the park play in fostering meaningful connections between emerging startups and more established companies? 

LISPOLIS plays a key role as a connector within the ecosystem. By hosting companies at very different stages of development, it naturally creates opportunities for interaction, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. 

We actively promote these connections through events, acceleration programs like LISPOLIS IGNITE, and targeted initiatives that bring together startups, corporates, universities, and investors. 

For early-stage entrepreneurs, access to experienced founders and established companies is critical, not only for mentoring but also for business development opportunities. For more mature companies, engaging with startups provides access to innovation, agility, and new ideas. LISPOLIS acts as a platform where these mutually beneficial relationships can emerge and grow. 

This year, LISPOLIS celebrates 35 years of activity and has recently been recognised by the Financial Times as one of Europe’s leading startup hubs. As the organisation reaches this milestone and gains increasing international recognition, what do you see as the biggest opportunities in the coming years? 

Reaching 35 years of activity, combined with international recognition, creates a strong platform for the future. One of the main opportunities lies in strengthening LISPOLIS’ positioning at a European level, attracting more international companies, partners, and talent. 

Another key opportunity is to deepen specialization, particularly in areas such as health tech, where LISPOLIS already has a strong foundation. At the same time, there is room to expand services offered to companies, including access to talent, investment, and international markets. 

Finally, leveraging digital tools and networks will allow LISPOLIS to scale its impact beyond its physical space, reinforcing its role as a central player in the innovation ecosystem.    

LISPOLIS has made healthcare a strategic priority while continuing to host a strong community of digital, IT, cybersecurity, and robotics companies. What role can LISPOLIS play in helping Portugal gain international recognition in areas such as health tech and deep tech? 

LISPOLIS can act as a catalyst by creating the right conditions for companies operating in health tech and deep tech to grow and scale. This includes providing infrastructure, such as laboratories with industrial licensing, access to specialized networks, and proximity to key stakeholders such as hospitals and research institutions. 

Through initiatives such as the Health Tech Lisboa venture builder, LISPOLIS is already contributing to the development of a strong pipeline of innovative companies in these sectors. 

By fostering collaboration between startups, corporates, and academia, LISPOLIS helps translate knowledge into market-ready solutions. This is essential for positioning Portugal internationally in highly specialized and competitive technological areas.   

The Municipality of Lisboa is a founding partner of LISPOLIS and promotes other innovation initiatives, such as the Unicorn Factory. How does LISPOLIS benefit from this context?

Being part of Lisbon’s dynamic innovation ecosystem is a significant advantage. As a founding partner, the Municipality of Lisbon plays an important role in promoting entrepreneurship and attracting global attention through initiatives such as Unicorn Factory. 

LISPOLIS benefits significantly from being part of Lisbon’s dynamic innovation ecosystem. On one hand, the Municipality of Lisbon is actively focused on attracting technology companies to the city, and LISPOLIS plays a key role by providing flexible infrastructure solutions, whether office space or fully equipped laboratories. 

On the other hand, LISPOLIS contributes directly to talent development and entrepreneurial culture. A good example is the SEED program, through which the Municipality promotes entrepreneurship in secondary schools. LISPOLIS is one of the main partners in this initiative, delivering talks and bringing entrepreneurs from its community into schools, helping inspire the next generation. 

Beyond these contributions, LISPOLIS is also working to be increasingly recognised as Lisbon’s innovation hub for health, reinforcing its strategic positioning within both the local and international ecosystem. This alignment strengthens the overall ecosystem and reinforces Lisbon’s positioning as a leading innovation hub.  

Beyond your professional career, you are also involved in the cultural and non-profit sectors, through the Alverca Philharmonic and Recreation Association and CEBI Foundation for the Community Development of Alverca. Has this influenced your professional outlook and if so, in what way?    

Yes, very much so. My involvement in cultural and non-profit organizations has reinforced the importance of community, long-term commitment, and social impact. 

These experiences bring a broader perspective to my professional role, reminding me that economic development and innovation should also generate positive outcomes for society. 

At LISPOLIS, this translates into a strong emphasis on community building, social responsibility initiatives, and creating an environment where companies not only grow but also contribute to the wider ecosystem.