On November 10th, the first day of Web Summit week, Lisbon, which is normally a slow and calm city, seemed to be restless with anticipation. Our team met early in the morning. Some of us drove or flew here from other countries, so we all had a mix of sleepy faces, excited energy, and the familiar chaos of setting up banners, testing equipment, and reviewing scripts. It was one of those mornings that felt like the calm before a joyful storm.
By lunchtime, fund managers, partners, and speakers had gathered. People who hadn’t seen each other in a year hugged like old friends. New leaders met seasoned ones. Conversations blended between tables.
Starting Strong With Cybersecurity & Innovation
At 3 p.m., COREangels Day officially began. Investors, founders, and leaders from all around the world filled the room — some based in Lisbon, others flying in from Switzerland, Spain, the U.S., Cairo, Dubai, and beyond.
This year, our event was proudly sponsored by Incubou, Portugal’s leading cybersecurity incubator.
Incubou is founded by Tiago Vieira, an investor in COREangels Atlantic and COREangels Porto — a lawyer, cybersecurity expert, and participant in the Angel Fund Launchpad, now preparing to launch his own cybersecurity-focused fund with COREangels.
Tiago opened the afternoon with an inspiring keynote, followed by pitches from several cybersecurity startups from the Incubou program. They brought fresh solutions, bold ideas, and a powerful reminder of how critical cyber innovation is becoming across industries.
A Break That Felt Like a Family Gathering
After the pitches, we took a networking break. But it wasn’t a usual conference-style break. It felt like a reunion.
Many of our investors arrived with friends. Others brought fellow angels they met during Web Summit week. It had that “family Thanksgiving where everyone brings a friend who instantly feels like part of the family” energy.
It reminded us why COREangels is different: People join our community for the investments, but they stay for the warmth, connection, and trust.
Fund Leaders Reverse Pitch
After the break, the spotlight turned to our global fund leaders. From our oldest funds to our newest additions, each leader shared:
- Why they joined COREangels
- What they invest in
- What drives their mission
- And how their communities grow and thrive
Hearing their stories — from the Middle East and Africa to Central Europe, Portugal, Spain, and Latin America — was powerful. These leaders are building local ecosystems while being part of a global network.
COREangels Awards — A Night of Emotion & Celebration
Then came the highlight: the COREangels Awards Ceremony. And this year’s winners delivered some incredible (and emotional) moments:
COREangels Pioneer Award
Winner: Maurizio Calcopietro (COREangels Atlantic)
For visionary leadership and paving the way for new funds and new founders.
COREangels Spirit Award
Winner: Cintia Mano
A deeply special moment. After recently winning the European Golden Aurora Award representing Portugal, Cintia received another standing ovation from her COREangels family.
Investor of the Year
Winner: Frédéric Dupraz
For exceptional commitment across multiple funds and the syndicate. He couldn’t join us (he was flying to NYC) — so Isabel Faria accepted the award on his behalf.
Fundraising Master Award
Winner: COREangels Lisbon (João Paulo Diogo)
Recognizing outstanding community growth and capital raised.
COREangels Diversity Champion Award
Winner: Maurizio Calcopietro (COREangels Atlantic)
For bringing the highest number of women into angel investing.
COREangels Rising Star Award
Winner: BHOUT (CEO: Mauro Frota)
The highest-valued startup in our global portfolio.
Mauro surprised everyone by gifting attendees free training passes to BHOUT Club — a highlight of the night and a very early Christmas gift from one of our brightest founders.
Ending the Night With Drinks, Laughter & Dinner
As the awards ended, drinks and food arrived, and the room filled again with deep conversations, handshakes, new friendships, and long-awaited reunions.
Some of us stayed for dinner afterward, continuing conversations about startups, markets, personal goals, and — as always — making plans for the next year together.
It felt like closing the day in the best possible way: as a community.
Web Summit Week: COREangels Everywhere
The next morning, we all headed into Web Summit — tired, but energized. And something beautiful happened:
Everywhere we walked, we ran into COREangels investors.
People gathered for spontaneous lunches, grabbed beers together, visited booths, met founders, pitched funds, and introduced each other to VCs and family offices.
Highlights included:
- Meeting dozens of new founders, now preparing for the investment committee
- Connecting with family offices interested in co-investing
- Running into alumni founders who are already scaling
- Meeting new future fund leaders joining the Angel Fund Launchpad
- Seeing COREangels investors introduce their friends and colleagues to the network
- Watching our community visibly grow each day of the conference
It was one of the most active and engaged Web Summits we’ve ever had.
Looking Ahead — COREangels Day 2026
This year’s event was our warmest and most community-driven yet. But next year? We’re planning something very different, and even more exciting.
Stay close.
Follow us on LinkedIn.
And get ready — because 2026 will surprise you.
