Applications are open to pre-seed, seed, early-stage, and Series A startups across AI, SaaS, fintech, climate tech, healthtech, cybersecurity, deeptech, enterprise software, and other emerging technology sectors. Beyond participating in an official Guinness World Records attempt, founders will also be featured in the online showcase for up to one year, giving an additional opportunity to share their company with investors, partners, customers, and the global startup community.
Over two days, September 16-17, 2026, founders from across Europe, North and South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific will pitch their startups to an international audience of investors, founders, accelerators, media, and other ecosystem leaders. Rather than competing against one another, every selected startup will receive equal time on stage to share what they are building and why it matters.
Each founder will present a simple five-slide pitch deck covering the problem they solve, their solution, market opportunity, business model or traction, and team, as well as outlining their next goals and the support they need to achieve them. The record attempt will take place alongside Startup Summit Lisbon 2026, with live activities hosted at Unicorn Factory Lisboa’s Beato Innovation District. Founders can join either remotely or in person from Lisbon.
“Founders are told to pitch, network and get visibility, but most never get a stage beyond their local ecosystem,” said Ricardo Pascual, Founder of Startup Summit Lisbon. “We wanted to build something that gives founders everywhere reason to step up, tell their story clearly and be part of a global startup moment. A 48-hour Guinness World Records attempt is ambitious, slightly mad in the best possible way, and exactly the kind of founder-first energy we want Startup Summit Lisbon to stand for.”
As part of the programme, every accepted founder will receive access to an exclusive fundraising workshop, “Zero Risk Startup: Raise Capital Faster,” led by bestselling author and investor Paulo Andrez, offering practical insights into fundraising strategy and investor communication.
Founders worldwide can now apply for one of up to 960 pitch slots across the 48-hour event. Applications are open at: https://startupsummit.io/world-record Companies, accelerators, universities, startup hubs, and ecosystem partners interested in supporting founders from their communities are also invited to contact Startup Summit Lisbon to discuss a partnership.
Startup Summit Lisbon is a founder-first startup community and event platform that connects entrepreneurs, investors, operators, and ecosystem leaders through events designed to create meaningful relationships and real business opportunities.
The 2026 edition will take place on September 17–18 at Unicorn Factory Lisboa’s Beato Innovation District, bringing together founders, investors, startups, speakers, partners, and international ecosystem leaders from around the world.
