Portuguese startup Granter.ai has won the Web Summit 2025 Pitch competition, which took place on the main stage of the Altice Arena in Lisbon. In the final vote, Granter received a record 80% of the public vote, as well as the support of the jury. Here’s what we know about the winner.
Portuguese startup Granter.ai has won the Web Summit 2025 Pitch competition, which took place on the main stage of the Altice Arena in Lisbon. In the final vote, Granter received a record 80% of the public vote, as well as the support of the jury. Here’s what we know about the winner.
Granter is an AI-based grant consultant. The startup automates the search, evaluation, and preparation of applications for government funding, including EU grants , which for many businesses is a complex and cumbersome process.
With Granter, companies can quickly check their eligibility for programs, create an application, and even manage the process after receiving a grant.
The competition was fierce, with 2,725 startups participating, with only 105 making it to the finals. The competition was fierce, with other innovative companies such as VarsityScape and SegmentStream among the finalists.
According to Granter founder and CEO, Bernardo Seixas, this is not only recognition of the team, but also confirmation of the importance of their mission for Portugal and Europe.
«We are a Portuguese team and we want to be the next Portuguese unicorn,» he said during the final pitch. «We help companies find and apply for grants with the help of AI. And we do it well,» added Seixa.
Accessing government grants — especially at the EU level — is often a difficult barrier for SMEs. Granter makes this process faster, easier and less risky. AI-powered automation helps reduce the dozens of hours that companies typically spend on applications. According to the Granter team, submitting an application can take just a few hours.
The Granter system performs several key functions:
QuickMatch is a new free tool that allows you to instantly find relevant grant opportunities, including from the EU.
Automatic verification of the company’s compliance with financing programs.
Grant application generation: Granter helps you formulate the document so that it is strong and competitive.
Project management after receiving a grant — Granter doesn’t just help you submit an application, it supports the entire process.
According to Lusa, Granter has already helped companies obtain over €2 million in government funding. The team is actively scaling up, with plans to be present in at least half of Europe next year.
The startup has already raised €400,000 in early 2025 and plans to close another round of €1.5 million.
