In this post, we recover the insights Fernando Jardim, President of 351 Portuguese Startup Association, shared with an audience of the first 351 Workshop.

Last Thursday, September 19th, the Fintech House Lisboa hosted an inspiring workshop titled “Taking Your Startup Off the Ground”, led by none other than our very own Fernando Jardim.

The event, designed to guide aspiring entrepreneurs through the startup journey, provided attendees with practical steps on how to turn their ideas into viable businesses. The workshop broke down the essential steps of launching a startup, a true “from zero to hero” story! Starting with finding and validating a problem, followed by developing and testing a solution, and finally preparing the perfect pitch.

Fernando emphasized the importance of validating each step – ensuring that your solution addresses the problem effectively and resonates with your target audience. Here’s a quick summary of the key steps covered in the workshop:

• Zero to Idea – Start by identifying a real-world problem that needs solving.

• Define & Validate the Problem – Is it a significant problem? Who does it affect? Is solving it worth pursuing?

• Develop a Solution – Once the problem is clear, brainstorm possible solutions and validate them through customer feedback or market research.

• Hero! Pitch & Scale – Share your hypotheses, what you learned during validation, and why your solution stands out. The ultimate goal is to create something repeatable, scalable, and fast-moving.

These steps may seem overwhelming, especially for someone new to entrepreneurship. That’s why events like Techstars Startup Weekend are perfect for aspiring founders! During the 54 hours that the event takes you get the chance to connect with like-minded people, validate your business ideas, and learn from industry experts.

The weekend is intense, but it’s structured to help you build essential skills while receiving knowledge through workshops and support from experienced mentors. From ideation to validation and finally pitching your startup idea, the weekend will leave you empowered and ready to launch your own business.

Feeling Inspired? If you want to take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey, don’t miss out on the Techstars Startup Weekend Porto and Lisbon! Join us in Porto this October or in Lisbon this November and turn your ideas into reality.