Accelerating the Green and Digital transition of the Tourism sector

Green Horizons is an open innovation program promoted by Turismo de Portugal, created to help shape the future of tourism in Portugal.

The program brings together forward-thinking companies and ambitious entrepreneurs to co-create and test real pilot projects that accelerate the green and digital transition of the tourism sector. These pilots are designed to deliver measurable environmental and operational impact, turning innovation into practical results.

Green Horizons focuses on identifying and validating solutions in energy efficiency, renewable energy, circular economy, and sustainable mobility, all tailored to the real needs of tourism infrastructure and day-to-day operations.

It is designed for startups that want to move beyond concepts and create real change in the tourism sector. The program gives you direct access to organizations that are genuinely motivated to work with startups, opening their operations to pilot projects that tackle real sustainability and efficiency challenges.

You’ll collaborate with teams that know how to work with innovation, providing clear direction, fast feedback, and the right conditions to test and refine your solution in real environments. Along the way, you’ll be supported by professionals with strong innovation, technical, and operational backgrounds, ensuring your pilot is both ambitious and grounded in industry reality.

By participating, you gain the opportunity to validate your solution in real tourism contexts, demonstrate measurable impact, and build meaningful relationships that can lead to long-term adoption and scale.

Tourism & Green Tech Startups 

Startups founded less than 10 years ago

Solutions ready to be piloted within the next 12 months

All over the world 

Clear scalability and business growth potential

Interest in expanding or establishing operations in Portugal

No, the program will run remotely. Only if the pilot requires it, or at the final Demo Day in October, if you are a finalist. 

The program is free of charge or equity.

Applications: Jan 13 – April 26

Ask Me Anything sessions:

• AMA #2 – 11 Mar 2026 – Building a Sustainable Pilot in Tourism 
• AMA #3 – 08 Apr 2026 – Preparing for the Portuguese Market 

Forming the Batch: April 27 to May 1 

Proving Concepts: May – Sep  

Demo Day: Oct  

Post-Program Follow-Up: Oct-Dec

Overall, ~20 startups will be selected across the 4 verticals of the program

What are Green Horizons’ thematic areas of focus?

Green Horizons focuses on four key thematic areas that address the main sustainability challenges of the tourism sector:

• Smart Energy Efficiency
• Integrated Renewable Energy
• Circularity and Local Production
• Sustainable Tourism Mobility

Each area targets concrete operational challenges and supports the development of pilot-ready solutions for tourism companies.

Smart Energy Efficiency

This vertical focuses on optimizing energy use in tourism operations while maintaining guest comfort and operational performance. It includes solutions that:

• Monitor energy consumption per room or per guest and reward lower consumption through incentives such as discounts, upgrades, or green points
• Use sensors and artificial intelligence to predict energy demand and automatically adjust HVAC systems, lighting, and equipment based on occupancy and guest profiles
• Apply continuous digital energy audits to identify inefficiencies, excessive consumption points, and outdated infrastructure
• Reduce reliance on air conditioning through smart passive climate strategies such as cross-ventilation, green façades, adaptive shading, and natural thermal control, particularly in continuously used spaces

Integrated Renewable Energy

This vertical accelerates the adoption of renewable energy and low-emission infrastructure in tourism facilities. It includes solutions that:

• Integrate solar panels, heat pumps, energy storage, and other energy sources into a single platform that automatically optimizes energy use based on production and consumption
• Help hotels and tourism operators assess the return on investment of renewable energy solutions using real consumption data and building energy profiles

Circularity and Local Production

This vertical promotes circular economy principles and strengthens local supply chains within tourism operations. It includes solutions that:

• Enable traceability and communication of the local and sustainable origin of food products, amenities, and other operational materials
• Support waste management and internal resource reuse, such as food waste composting or greywater reuse for irrigation
• Connect accommodation providers with local producers of sustainable goods, including eco-friendly amenities, organic textiles, and recycled-material décor

Sustainable Tourism Mobility

This vertical supports low-emission mobility and sustainable travel experiences for guests. It includes solutions that:

• Recommend personalized tourist experiences accessible through sustainable transport options such as walking, cycling, or public transport
• Enable integrated management of electric mobility fleets in tourism operations, including bicycles, scooters, and shuttles, with monitoring of usage, maintenance, and environmental impact
• Passive and intelligent solutions that reduce conventional air conditioning in mobility infrastructures such as metro stations and PMOs, using natural ventilation, green façades, and adaptive shading to improve comfort while lowering energy demand

1. Submission of the general form, available here
2. Submission of the form specific for the verticals (after the initial form)
   1. Tourism Energy Efficiency
   2. Renewable energy sources & Net-zero Buildings
   3. Circular Local Economy
   4. Low-Carbon Mobility
3. If the application fits our criteria, we might ask you additional questions 
4. Based on the evaluation criteria, up to 23 startups will be selected to participate in the program

1. One year of incubation at Unlimit; 
2. Special use of a set of perks offered by Unlimit partners;
3. Individual support in the process of internationalization to Portugal (if they are not residents);  
4. Personalized content planning about the winning startup and its solution, through a Public Relations company.

Portugal is very welcoming for international people. Most Portuguese speak in English, especially in the startup world. Some authorities’ forms are in Portuguese, but there are many entities that can help you. You can also certify documents in both languages, not only in portuguese and it is acceptable. Most companies don’t have any problems with the language barrier

Portugal is hot for Tourism. Every year we are winning awards in the World Travel Awards, we are considered the most welcoming country for expats, we have a very welcoming atmosphere and we are a gateway for the rest of Europe in case you are from outside of Portugal.

Additionally, Portugal is one of the most thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Europe. We host WebSummit, the most important Tech Conference in the World, we have now 7 Unicorns and counting, and we have programs to support entrepreneurs like the Startup Visa and the Tech Visa.

Unlimit already has 15 years of experience in the Portuguese entrepreneurial ecosystem. As organizer of what was the biggest entrepreneurial contest in Portugal, and the 2nd biggest in the world, Unlimit has already supported the development of more than 100.000 new business ideas. We also collaborate with the largest companies in Portugal to accelerate their innovation roadmaps.

NOS

NOS is one of Portugal’s leading communications and entertainment groups, operating across telecommunications, media, technology, and data services. The company provides mobile and fixed communications, television, cloud and IT solutions, and digital services for consumers and businesses, playing a key role in the country’s digital transformation and innovation ecosystem.

https://www.nos.pt/

TAP Air Portugal

TAP Air Portugal is Portugal’s national airline and a leading carrier connecting Europe with the Americas and Africa. Headquartered in Lisbon, TAP operates an extensive international network and plays a strategic role in promoting tourism and connectivity to Portugal, while investing in fleet modernization, operational efficiency, and more sustainable aviation practices.

https://www.flytap.com/pt-pt

Vila Galé

Vila Galé is one of the largest Portuguese hotel groups, with a strong presence in Portugal and international operations in destinations such as Brazil, Spain, and Cuba. The group operates a diverse portfolio of hotels across leisure, urban, and resort segments, and is committed to innovation, sustainability, and the promotion of local culture and heritage within its hospitality experiences.

https://www.vilagale.com/pt

Silveira Tech 

Silveira Tech is a Portuguese technology company focused on developing digital solutions that support innovation, operational efficiency, and business transformation. With a strong emphasis on applied technology and tailored solutions, Silveira Tech works closely with organizations to design and implement tools that address real-world challenges across different industries.

https://silveiratech.pt/

Metropolitano de Lisboa  

Metropolitano de Lisboa is the public company responsible for operating Lisbon’s subway system, playing a central role in the city’s urban mobility network. Focused on safety, efficiency, and sustainability, the company is committed to improving public transport accessibility, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting Lisbon’s transition toward a more sustainable and connected city.

https://www.metrolisboa.pt/

Real Hotels Group

Real Hotels Group is a Portuguese hospitality group operating a portfolio of urban hotels across major cities in Portugal, under several well-known international and national brands. With a strong focus on business and leisure travel, the group is committed to service excellence, innovation, and sustainable practices that enhance guest experience and operational efficiency.

https://www.realhotelsgroup.com