8th Edition START-EAT-UP Web Summit Special Edition

When restoration meets the future.

The 8th edition of START-EAT-UP brought a special energy to the restaurant and technology sector in Portugal. Integrated into the country's most technological week, the Web Summit, this edition was divided into two complementary sessions, with a clear objective: to bring leaders, entrepreneurs and teams closer to the solutions that are transforming the future of the restaurant industry.

At a time when the sector faces complex challenges, from daily operations to team management and technological adoption, START-EAT-UP has once again fulfilled its mission: to create a space for real sharing, networking, qualification and practical learning, always with digitalization at the center of the conversation.

Part I | Lisbon - The Focus on the FoodTech Ecosystem in Portugal

The first session, held at the Portugal Tech Week Palace, brought together professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders from the food tech universe for a focused discussion on the current state and potential of the sector in Portugal. The panel included:

  • Nuno Fernandes, CEO and Co-Founder of DIG-IN, keynote speaker and host of the roundtable discussion, "FoodTech Landscape in Portugal"
  • Sérgio Rodrigues, CEO of stores ace
  • Marta Miraldes, from Unicorn Factory
  • Telmo Taipa, CEO & Co-Founder of ADECI Group

During the session, topics such as the following were discussed:

  • The maturity of national FoodTech startups
  • The importance of innovation applied to daily operations.
  • The connection between technology, customer experience, and efficiency.
  • The opportunities Portugal has to establish itself as a European hub for food innovation.

More than just a conversation, the session created a clear vision of what is driving the sector and what still needs to be built.

Part II | Estoril - Technology and Integrations at the Service of the Restaurant Industry.

The second part of the event, held at CIBT - Estoril, had a highly practical focus: how technology can drive growth in the restaurant business.

Representatives from companies that are redefining the sector's operation participated, including: DIG-IN, storesace, Zone Soft, Grubtech, and Avenidas.

Technological integrations, automation, artificial intelligence, omnichannel experience, and operational optimization were discussed, all with concrete examples, real tools, and day-to-day challenges faced by restaurants.

The session also included insights from leaders who have placed innovation at the heart of their strategy, such as:

  • Rui Raposo de Oliveira , from the Nómada Group, shared how technology can transform processes and drive sustainable growth.
  • João Bon de Sousa , from Sushi At Home, brought with him a practical perspective from someone who created one of the first takeaway sushi concepts in Portugal.
  • And also, Paulo Portela , from Madpizza, creator of a brand with a legacy and adaptation to the evolution of technology in the sector.

This edition highlighted the importance of thinking about technology not as a cost, but as a strategic engine of competitiveness.

Networking that builds real bridges:

One of the aspects most valued by participants continues to be networking. More than just exchanging business cards, START-EAT-UP has established itself as a space where:

  • Collaborations are born
  • New ideas emerge.
  • Real challenges are solved.
  • Relationships are built that last beyond the event.

The diversity of participants, managers, entrepreneurs, operational teams, brands, startups, and partners creates an environment where every conversation can transform a business.


What this edition proved.

The Web Summit Special Edition showed that:

  • The restoration is entering a new era;
  • Technology is no longer optional. It's structural;
  • Leaders who master these tools will be better prepared to grow;
  • Portugal has the talent, vision, and capacity to create a solid FoodTech ecosystem;
  • Events like START-EAT-UP are essential for bringing together those who make, those who create, and those who transform.

The future has already begun, and START-EAT-UP will continue to drive it!

With each edition, the community grows, the conversations gain depth, and the opportunities multiply.

New topics, new speakers, new challenges, but always the same commitment: to empower the restaurant industry for the future.

Pay attention to the upcoming dates.

We want to continue this journey with you.

Until the next edition!

Back to blog