Lisbon’s startup scene is buzzing with success stories of founders raising millions, but here’s the real question every entrepreneur gaining traction eventually asks: “Do I actually need funding to scale my startup?”

On October 30th, Startup Grind Lisbon brings the community together to delve into this timeless debate: funding versus bootstrapping. The event will showcase diverse experiences from founders who have raised venture capital, those who have chosen to bootstrap, and investors who evaluate startups at different stages.

We’ll kick off with three pre-seed startup pitches, giving the spotlight to local founders building the next wave of innovation.

The highlight of the evening will be a panel discussion featuring founders who recently closed funding rounds, entrepreneurs who delayed or avoided raising money altogether, and representatives from top Portuguese VCs. Together, they’ll tackle hard questions: When is the right time to raise? What are the risks of chasing funding too early? How can founders maximize control and freedom while still growing their business?

Expect a balanced, honest, and practical conversation. From the excitement of scaling with investor backing to the resilience and independence of bootstrapping. By the end, you’ll walk away with clear frameworks, actionable insights, and first-hand stories to help you decide which growth path fits your vision, stage, and company culture.

And of course, as always at Startup Grind, you’ll meet like-minded entrepreneurs, operators, and investors ready to connect over drinks and shared ambition.

Join us to gain clarity, confidence, and community — and to finally answer: Do I really need funding?