Startup OLÉ 2025: A Chance to Learn & Connect in Salamanca 

From October 15 -17, Empowered Startups attended Startup OLÉ 2025 in Salamanca, Spain. Considered one of the largest European tech conferences, it brought together startups, investors, corporations, universities, and public institutions to foster collaboration and networking in innovation and entrepreneurship within the technology sector. 

The Startup OLÉ conference has transformed Salamanca into a global hub for entrepreneurship and tech innovation. With over 2,300 attendees from 55 countries, Startup OLÉ fosters innovation ecosystems, talent, investments, and cross-border collaboration. 

Sharing Insights Across Global Borders 

On day two of Startup OLÉ, Paulo Martins, Empowered’s Portugal Incubation Manager, had the opportunity to participate in the panel titled “Round Table: Across the Borders”. Alongside Sertac Oral, Gregory Gorman, and Julio Gysels, Paulo shared lessons learned on global expansion. From finding the right partners to understanding local and cultural contexts, Paulo shared the best practices he has learned along the way. The panel also provided valuable insights on how and when to scale a business internationally. It was a thought-provoking discussion, and we were grateful to be included.  

Beyond Salamanca 

Startup OLÉ 2025 provided an opportunity to network and connect with key players in the technology sector. A key theme across all three days was the importance of building strong, innovative ecosystems with committed partners that generate real, measurable local economic impact. At Empowered Startups, we’re strong supporters of just that: supporting innovation, R&D, and fostering collaboration.  

It was an inspiring week, and we were grateful for the opportunity to participate in and attend the conference. We look forward to building on the momentum of the conference and will continue to foster the meaningful connections that were made in the months ahead.