APPLICATIONS UNTIL
September 30, 2026
PROGRAM
October 2026 - April 2027
COHORT SIZE
Only 8 companies selected.
MENTORS
Built. Invested. Led.
Now bringing honest, experience-based feedback.
FEE
€300 + VAT
For selected companies. AE membership required.
EQUITY
0%
Built for companies that are already moving
and want to move faster.
✕ Not the right program if...
×You're at the idea stage without a product
×You haven't generated revenue yet
×You're looking for consulting services
×You run a lifestyle business with no growth agenda
✔ You´re a strong fit if...
→You have a product or service in the market
→You have existing customers and revenue
→You're founder-led or entrepreneur-led
→You have strong ambition for growth
→You're open to feedback and mentorship
→You have a meaningful connection to the Algarve
The operating system for your growth.
1:1 Mentoring
A dedicated experienced founder, operator, or investor in your corner for the full program, not a one-off session, but consistent strategic support.
1 Growth Plan
Built at Kick-Off, reviewed monthly. A real operational roadmap, not a pitch deck.
3 Growth KPIs
You and your Mentor define three measurable targets at Kick-Off. For the next six months, these targets guide your priorities, Mentor sessions, decisions, and monthly progress reviews.
Monthly Reviews
Every month: two Mentor check-ins, KPI progress review, peer accountability, and a short Growth Update to track wins, address challenges, and set priorities for the month ahead.
Workshops
A deliberately limited number of practical sessions by experienced operators. Topics: Sales & GTM, AI for growth, fundraising, leadership, and partnerships, chosen based on the cohort's real needs.
PROGRAM TIMELINE
Founder2Founder Journey
Until September 30, 2026. Applications open
October 1 - 9, 2026. Selection & cohort announcement
October 12-16, 2026. Kick-Off week
October - April, 2027. Growth sprints - 1:1 mentoring, monthly reviews and execution
April, 2027 - Date TBC. Growth Day - Public presentation of progress and results
April - July, 2027. 90-day follow-up
THE MENTOR NETWORK
People who´ve done it, helping you do it.
Mentors are the core of Founder2Founder.
They will challenge assumptions, identify blind spots, sharpen priorities, and help founders stay accountable for progress.
Each company will work closely with one Mentor throughout the six-month program. Additional Mentor support may be considered when specific expertise is needed and available.
Damarys Zampini
International Growth, Strategy, Investment
Global growth strategist, investor and advisor with 20+ years of experience helping companies expand internationally, navigate new markets and build sustainable growth.
Wouter Heijnen
Fundraising, Business Growth, Innovation
Entrepreneur, investor and co-founder of Sotavento Invest, supporting startups through funding, mentorship and strategic business growth.
Tom Murphy
Entrepreneurship. Digital Business, Investment
Serial entrepreneur and mentor who has built and exited successful digital businesses, with extensive experience supporting startups and evaluating companies for investment.
Reimar Kosack
Strategy, Marketing, Leadership
Entrepreneur and mentor with 25+ years’ experience helping founders turn complex challenges into clear decisions and action.
Laurent Horwitz
Strategy, Go-to-Market, Scaling
Entrepreneur, investor and mentor with 25+ years building, scaling and investing in B2B and tech companies across Europe.
Jorge Cabaço
Marketing, Digital Transformation, Business Development
Executive Director of Dengun Agency, Jorge is an entrepreneur and mentor with 16+ years of experience helping companies turn ideas and ambition into actionable growth.
Joaquim Nascimento
Strategy, Innovation, Business Development
CEO of Kapisci, co-founder of PhorecastAI, & President of Algarve Evolution. Ex-AstraZeneca with 20+ years in Healthtech & AI.
Francisco Sousa
Business Scaling, Investment, Executive Leadershio
Investor, entrepreneur and C-suite executive scaling businesses from market entry to Unicorns. Including latest $10bn+ valuation at the Middle East’s largest IPO of 2024.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Use these criteria to self-assess before applying.
Traction
Real customers, meaningful revenue, and evidence that the business model works.
Team Quality
A founder or CEO capable of leading growth, making decisions, and executing under pressure.
Openness
Genuine openness to feedback, mentoring, and accountability: not just going through the motions.
Growth Ambition
A clear drive to grow significantly: not just sustain. You're here to build something bigger.
Innovation
A distinctive product, service, or approach: not a copy-paste of what already exists.
Commitment
Ability to fully engage over six months: attending sessions, submitting reviews, investing in the cohort.
FAQs
Founder2Founder Growth Program
It is a six-month, mentoring-first program designed to support ambitious companies rooted in the Algarve that are already active in the market and ready to grow.
The program is for companies that are already in the market, with customers and revenue. It is designed for founders and teams who are building from the Algarve and want structured support to scale, strengthen their business, and access the right network.
No. The program is open to ambitious Algarve-rooted companies, whatever their sector. The focus is not on labels, but on companies with traction, growth potential, and a commitment to developing from the region.
The program is built for Algarve-rooted companies. This means companies that are based in the Algarve, operating from the region, or strongly connected to its development and ecosystem.
Companies should already be in the market, with customers and revenue. This is not an idea-stage program.
The program runs for six months, with a 90-day follow-up.
Selected companies will receive dedicated mentoring and strategic support throughout the program. Each company will be matched with a Lead Mentor who will remain committed to supporting them during the full six months.
No. Founder2Founder mentors contribute their time on a pro bono basis. The €300 participation fee supports Algarve Evolution in coordinating, administering and delivering the program.
Yes, but the program is mentoring-first. This means there will be limited workshops and a strong focus on founder needs, practical support, and direct mentoring.
No. The program is sector-agnostic, but selective. What matters is that the company is already in the market, has customers and revenue, shows growth potential, and has a meaningful connection to the Algarve.
No. Algarve Evolution does not take equity from companies participating in Batch 01.
This is not an idea-stage accelerator. It is a growth accountability system for ambitious companies already in the market. Every company enters with growth KPIs, a lead mentor, a growth plan, and monthly performance reviews. Success will be measured by business outcomes.
By the end of the program, participating companies should have:
- Greater revenue potential
- Stronger strategic focus
- Better access to customers, partners, and investors
- A trusted network of founders and mentors
Selected companies are expected to be committed, open to mentoring, willing to share challenges honestly, and ready to dedicate time to making the most of the program.
The number of companies selected for Batch 01 will be limited to 8 to ensure focused support and meaningful mentor engagement.
Batch 01 starts in October 2026.
For more information, please contact us at info@algarveevolution.pt.