pausa
Mentor Update
April 2026
Wellbeing infrastructure for the startup ecosystem
Monthly digest
Keeping the monthly cadence. A lot has moved since we last spoke — here's the honest picture on where Pausa stands, what's coming, and where your network could make a real difference.
At a glance
1
Sprint pilot
live @ UFL
live @ UFL
3
Casa do Impacto
founders confirmed
founders confirmed
Jul
2–3
2–3
Pausa Open
DOMA Portugal
DOMA Portugal
Pausa Sprint
First pilots live
Running the first pilot Sprint with an internal team at UFL — pro-bono, by design. The goal is to stress-test the format, collect real feedback, and build the case study that makes the next conversation easier. Three founders from Casa do Impacto have already confirmed interest in bringing a Sprint to their teams. Mission-driven, credible in the ecosystem, open to experimentation. Exactly the right early adopters.
Pausa Open · July 2–3
1.5 days in nature,
30 min from Lisbon
30 min from Lisbon
First public event. Two days at DOMA Portugal, bringing founders, operators, and ecosystem builders together around sustainable performance. This is both a product moment and a community-building moment — it's how Pausa becomes something people talk about rather than something we push. Sponsor and partner pipeline is currently being built.
DOMA Portugal, Serra de Sintra · 30 min from Lisbon
Ecosystem & Investor Pipeline
Building the room
Attending SIM Conference with a focused agenda: building relationships with VCs and ecosystem builders before we need anything from them. Targeting Armilar, Portugal Ventures, Faber, and Startup Portugal.
Active conversations
SIM Conference targets
Potential Sponsors & Partners · Pausa Open
The partner map
25+ potential partners identified across six tiers. Goal: 4–6 partners contributing cash, product, or distribution — keeping Pausa's non-profit, science-based positioning intact while offsetting event costs and amplifying reach.
Tier 1 · Wearables & Sleep Tech
Oura RingWearable
WHOOPPerformance tracking
Eight SleepSleep tech
TechnogymFitness
Tier 2 · Nutrition & Supplements
AG1Nutrition
MAI KombuchaDrink · Porto
Pedras SalgadasHydration · PT
Tier 3 · Portuguese VC Funds
Indico Capital€125M Fund III
Armilar€600M+ AuM
Shilling VCFounder-led
Bynd VCIberian focus
Portugal VenturesState-backed
Tier 4 · Ecosystem Organizations
Startup PortugalDistribution
351 Association1,600+ founders
Unicorn Factory Lisboa820+ startups
Tier 5 · Portuguese HealthTech Startups
Sword HealthUnicorn · PT
NutriumNutrition SaaS
VitaanceEmployee wellbeing
CoverflexFlex benefits
ZenklubMental health
Tier 6 · Experience & Goodie Bag
MoleskineWellness journal
Insight TimerMeditation app
AQUELA KombuchaLocal · Porto
One ask
Do you have a warm contact
in the partner map above?
in the partner map above?
An introduction to any potential sponsor or partner for Pausa Open would be incredibly valuable right now — especially VCs, ecosystem orgs, or wellness brands. Ideal profiles are highlighted in the tiers above. Happy to share the sponsorship brief directly if useful — just say the word.
Strategic Roadmap · 2026
The sequence
3 Pro-bono Pausa Sprints
Validate format · build case studies · earn credibility in the ecosystem
Pausa Open — July 2–3, DOMA Portugal
First community event · sponsors + partners · 30 min from Lisbon
Pausa Open — September (planned)
Second edition · build momentum · beginning of September
Pausa Reset — Q4 2026
First full multi-day immersive experience before end of year