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Why is Lisbon the Place to Build or Hire a Software Development Team

Portugal’s capital city is home to a thriving tech scene, with plenty of talented developers and ample opportunity for growth. The Lisbon tech scene is growing rapidly, with new startups and tech companies popping up all the time. This makes it a great place to find talented developers who are passionate about their work.

What’s more, the cost of living in Lisbon is relatively low compared to other major European cities. This means you can get more bang for your buck when hiring a software development team in Lisbon.

So if you’re looking for a great place to build or hire a software development team, Lisbon should be at the top of your list. Not satisfied yet? In this article, we’ll explore some of the reasons why Lisbon makes such an excellent location for software development. So read on to find out why you should consider building your next team here!

Startup Landscape in Lisbon

Lisbon is a great place for startups and tech companies. Plenty of incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces are available to help you get your business off the ground. And if you’re looking for funding, Lisbon has several venture capitalists and angel investors who are ready to invest in good businesses.

What’s more, the Portuguese government offers several incentives for startups, including tax breaks and funding opportunities. So if you’re thinking about starting a tech company, Lisbon is worth considering.

Web Summit

Source: Web Summit. 

Lisbon is also home to the world’s largest tech conference, Web Summit. This annual event attracts hundreds of thousands of attendees from all over the world, including some of the biggest names in the tech industry.

Web Summit is the ultimate conference for anyone who wants to be part of what’s happening in tech and internet culture. The three-day event brings together stakeholders from all over, including Fortune 500 companies and startups, with participants ranging across every industry you can imagine!

It also attracts angel investors or corporate bigwigs, so it doesn’t matter if your company has just started up – there’ll always be someone waiting, willing to plug away at their laptop next door while they’re here too!

The Web Summit has been hosting its annual conference in Lisbon since 2015, and it looks like it will continue to run until at least 2028. So, if you’re looking for networking opportunities or simply want to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in tech, Web Summit is a must-attend event.

If you intend to show your idea you should consider registering register for 2022’s Pitch competition

Tech Hubs

Source: Siemens. 

Lisbon is home to several different tech hubs, each with its unique community and focus. For example, the Beta-i startup hub and accelerator is focused on helping startups grow and scale. They offer mentorship, office space, and access to their network of investors.

Another popular tech hub in Lisbon is Startup Lisboa. They offer a co-working space, incubation programs, and access to their network of mentors, investors, and corporate partners.

If you’re looking for a community of like-minded techies, Lisbon has plenty to offer. There’s a thriving startup scene with plenty of opportunity for growth. In addition, these tech hubs are great places to meet other developers, learn new skills, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the tech world. And with so many different hubs to choose from, you’re sure to find one that’s a perfect fit for your needs.

Talented Developers

As mentioned, Lisbon has no shortage of talented developers. There are more than enough developers to meet the demands of the growing tech scene. And with so many new startups, digital nomads, and tech companies popping up, there are plenty of opportunities for developers to get involved in exciting projects.

What’s more, the cost of living in Lisbon is relatively low compared to other major European cities. This means you can get more bang for your buck when hiring a team for software development in Lisbon.

Lifestyle

In addition to being a great place to build a custom software development team, Portugal is also a fantastic country to live in. The country has a rich history and culture, and there are plenty of things to see and do.

According to Nomad List, Lisbon is the #2 best city in the world for digital nomads. The city has a great climate, with average temperatures ranging from 18-25 degrees Celsius. And it’s also an incredibly safe and friendly city. 

And in case, if you’re a beach person, Lisbon is just a short drive from some of the best beaches in Europe. Overall, Lisbon is one of the best places for software development in Portugal. 

Co-working Spaces

If you’re looking for a place to set up your development team, Lisbon has a big diversity of co-working spaces offer. There are so many co-working spaces that it can be hard to choose one!

Some of the most popular co-working spaces in Lisbon include:

  • Boomerang: Boomerang is a co-working space that offers desks, private offices, and meeting rooms. They also have several events and workshops.
  • Lisbon Challenge: Lisbon Challenge is a co-working space that’s specifically for startups. They offer desks, private offices, meeting rooms, and event space.
  • The Hub: The Hub is a co-working space that offers desks, private offices, and meeting rooms. They also have several events and workshops.

With lots of options to choose from, you’re sure to find a co-working space that’s a perfect fit for your team. Using tools like Coworker you can find the place that fits your needs. 

Source: Coworker.

Skilled Talent

The country’s universities produce a continuous flow of tech talent streams into the industry. Many universities in Portugal produce talented software developers, technology professionals, and other tech-related graduates every year. This makes it easy for those interested to find employment in this field.

An estimated 90 thousand students are graduating from Portuguese higher education institutions alone, each with over 40 courses relevant to becoming a successful developer or technician!

In addition to that, these Universities are running great scholarship programs to attract international students. The government supports these initiatives by providing visas for tech professionals from non-EU countries.

For example, the Catholic University of Lisbon offers discounts on tuition ranging from 50% to 75%, depending upon your academic standing. While on the other hand, the University of Aveiro reduces the fee for international students who are average grade 16 or higher, making it only cost $1000 instead!

The city of Lisbon is seeing a surge in investment in its computing education system and an increase in the number of computing jobs available. This makes the city an attractive destination for software developers and other technology professionals.

Lisbon’s Computing Science Faculty, which is part of the University of Lisbon, sees a significant increase in the number of students enrolled. The university has seen a 50% increase in enrollment in computing courses over the past year. This is due to the growing demand for skilled developers in Lisbon.

In addition to its universities, Lisbon is also home to many coding boot camps and other training programs that are designed to teach people the skills they need to become a developer. These programs are becoming increasingly popular as they offer an intensive and immersive education that can be completed in a relatively short amount of time.

Multinational Companies with Dev Teams in Lisbon

1. Pipedrive

Pipedrive is a sales CRM software for small and medium-sized businesses. They have their headquarters in Tallinn, Estonia, but they have offices in several different countries, including Portugal. They have a development team based in Lisbon, which is responsible for developing parts of their web and mobile applications.

Pipedrive’s Lisbon office is located in the city center, and it is home to its development team. The team consists of developers, designers, and product managers who work on Pipedrive’s web and mobile software products.

2. Mercedes-Benz.IO

Mercedes-Benz.IO is the digital unit of Mercedes-Benz. They are responsible for developing digital products and services for the company. Mercedes-Benz.IO is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, but they have offices in different locations, including Lisbon.

They have a development team based in Lisbon, which is responsibly titled the “Digital House” and is the place where the companies’ digital products take shape. The team consists of developers, data scientists, designers, and product managers who are responsible for  Mercedes-Benz.IO’s digital services.

3. Volkswagen Digital Solutions

Volkswagen Digital Solutions is the digital unit of Volkswagen. They are responsible for developing digital products and services for the company. Their team in Lisbon is responsible for developing several products, including the Volkswagen Connect App.

4. Deloitte

Deloitte is a professional services firm that provides audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, and tax services. With its headquarters in New York, the company also established itself in many countries worldwide.

They have a team of consultants based in Lisbon who works on various clients’ projects. The team consists of consultants and developers with experience in various industries, including the automotive industry.

5. Accenture

Accenture is a global professional services company with over 500,000 employees in over 120 countries. The company has several development teams in Lisbon, working on a variety of projects.

Accenture’s Lisbon office is located in the city center, near several public transportation options. The company offers a competitive salary and benefits package and opportunities for career growth.

That’s not just the end of the list; it’s just the beginning. These companies are a great example of a company that has chosen to base its development team in Lisbon. This is because Lisbon offers an excellent environment for developers, with its skilled talent pool, affordable office space, and vibrant startup community.

Build a Remote Development Team in Lisbon

If you’re looking to create a remote software development team, Lisbon is a great place to do it. There are several reasons why Lisbon is a great place to build a remote development team:

 

1. Lower Costs

Lisbon is an excellent choice for setting up your remote development team if you’re looking to reduce your overhead costs. With its affordable cost of living and abundance of talented tech professionals, you can easily find the right mix of talent and experience without breaking the bank.

2. Greater Talent Pool

In addition to being more cost-effective, Lisbon also offers a greater talent pool than many other European capitals. With a strong pool of tech graduates and experienced professionals, you can find the perfect team to meet your needs.

3. Diverse Culture and Language Skills

Lisbon is also a great choice if you’re looking for a more diverse team. The city is home to a variety of cultures and languages, which can be an asset for your business. Additionally, many tech professionals in Lisbon are fluent in English, making communication easy.

4. Proximity to Europe and North America

Lisbon’s location makes it a convenient base for companies with clients or customers in Europe or North America. With its time zone overlap and direct flights to major cities, Lisbon is an ideal location for companies looking to expand their reach.

5. Quality of Life

Finally, it’s worth mentioning that Lisbon is simply a great place to live. Lisbon is an enjoyable city to call home with its Mediterranean climate, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture. If you’re looking for a place to build your remote team, Lisbon should be at the top of your list.

Whether you’re looking to reduce costs or tap into a larger talent pool, Lisbon is an ideal location for setting up your remote development team. With its affordable cost of living and abundance of talented tech professionals, you can easily find the right mix of talent and experience to meet your needs.

Hire a Development Team in Lisbon

If you’re out of options to build your development team from scratch, you can also hire a development team in Lisbon. Many great companies will be able to provide you with the resources and skills you need to get your project off the ground.

One of the benefits of hiring a development team in Lisbon is that they will already be familiar with the city’s infrastructure and can help you navigate any potential obstacles. Additionally, they will be able to provide you with a local perspective on your project, which can be invaluable.

TechRivo is a Lisbon-based software agency specializing in custom web and mobile development. We have a team of experienced developers who can help you with your project from start to finish.

If you’re looking to hire developers in Lisbon that can help you build your dream project, you should start your search now. You can also explore some of the nearshore software development agencies in Lisbon we mentioned in the next section. With its abundance of skilled professionals and robust infrastructure, you’re sure to find the perfect team to help bring your vision to life.

Software Consulting Agencies in Lisbon

As mentioned before, Lisbon is home to several software consulting agencies that can help you with your project. Here’s a list of some of the best and most reputed software agencies in Lisbon:

  1. Altar.io:
  2. Cleverti
  3. TechRivo
  4. Twistag
  5. Imaginary Cloud
  6. Digital ONDA Limited
  7. Dengun
  8. Nearshore Portugal
  9. Think Orage
  10. GBSquare

These are just a  few of the many great software consulting agencies in Lisbon that can help you with your project. When choosing an agency, be sure to consider their size, experience, and specialties to find the best fit for your needs.

What to Avoid in The Lisbon/Portuguese Business Community

Now that you know some of the great reasons to do business in Lisbon, let’s look at a few things to avoid. While the Portuguese business community is generally friendly and helpful, there are a few things that you should avoid:

Bureaucracy

One of the things to consider in the Portuguese business community is the risk of relations with government or public institutions. While it is not impossible to do business without government support, it can be challenging. The levels of bureaucracy around running a business in Portugal are higher compared with other European countries. 

Avoid getting alone into bureaucratic relations with government or public institutions. The Portuguese business community is generally critical of the government and its institutions, so find the best advisors and partners to intermediate that relation and save your time and effort on what matters. 

Closed markets 

Another thing to avoid in the Portuguese business community is establishing relations in markets that are closed and static. There are a few oligopolies in Portugal, and they can be challenging to work with. If you establish a business in the Banking, Insurance, Energy, or telecommunications sector is important to be aware of its risks. Because those markets have already established market shares, the barriers to entry are huge and challenging. 

Having a network in these sectors is key to establishing a business that can have relationships with the leading companies. 

Touristic/Crowded Areas

Lisbon is a top-rated tourist destination, and as such, it can be pretty crowded. This can be a problem for your day-to-day activities, as it can be challenging to get around. If you plan on doing business in Lisbon, it is important to be aware of the best places and neighborhoods to locate headquarters. 

Do Your Research

It is important to do your research before you start doing business in Lisbon. There are many resources available that can help you learn about the city and the Portuguese business community. Additionally, it is important to talk to people who have experience doing business in Lisbon.

Bottom Line

Lisbon is a great place to build or hire a software development team. With its abundance of skilled professionals and strong infrastructure, you’re sure to find the perfect team to help bring your vision to life.

So, if you’re looking for a development team that can help you build your dream project, Lisbon is the place to be. Thanks for reading! We hope this article was helpful.

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