What Casa do Impacto does

Casa do Impacto is a non-profit social impact entrepreneurship hub founded in 2018 and operating as a program unit within the Department of Entrepreneurship and Social Economy at Santa Casa da Misericordia de Lisboa (SCML), a 528-year-old Portuguese social solidarity institution headquartered in Lisbon. The hub provides acceleration, incubation, mentorship, and investment-readiness programs for impact entrepreneurs whose ventures align with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Core offerings include the RISE for Impact acceleration program (structured across Bootcamp, Capacity Building, and Incubation phases, offering €691.70 monthly bursaries and €10,500 in prizes), the Triggers environmental sustainability program (now in its 4th edition), an incubation program with workspace access, an investment-readiness track, and the CONNECT consortium — an EU co-funded social innovation initiative jointly run with Universidade Nova de Lisboa and Catolica-Lisbon's Yunus Social Innovation Center under the LISBOA2030/Portugal Inovação Social framework.

The organization does not develop proprietary technology products; instead it operates as an ecosystem platform coordinating mentors, corporate partners, academic institutions, and global networks (Ashoka, UN Global Compact, Earthshot Prize). It serves approximately 30 active projects and alumni at a time, receiving 93+ applications per Open Call cycle. Revenue is not commercially generated from entrepreneurs — programs are offered free of charge — and the hub is instead funded through SCML's institutional budget, EU structural funds, and a diversified base of social investors and corporate partners including Camara Municipal de Lisboa, Fundacao Gulbenkian, Banco Montepio, Fundacao Aga Khan, Galp, EDP, Credito Agricola, Sonae, and the Santander Foundation. The CONNECT consortium represents the flagship scale mechanism, anchoring the hub's academic bridge and EU-funded programming.

The hub has been recognized for three consecutive years (2024, 2025, 2026) in the Financial Times, Statista, and Sifted ranking of Europe's Leading Start-up Hubs, distinguished in the Social Impact category as the only hub in Europe exclusively dedicated to impact entrepreneurship. It also serves as an Official Nominator for The Earthshot Prize and is represented on the Board of the UN Global Compact Network Portugal. Distribution occurs primarily through open-call applications, partner referrals, residency at the Lisbon headquarters, and an emerging international exchange track (PUSH/Innonexus) connecting the hub to ecosystems in the Netherlands.

Name

Casa do Impacto

Legal name

Santa Casa da Misericordia de Lisboa

Website

https://casadoimpacto.scml.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Casa do Impacto is a Lisbon-based non-profit impact entrepreneurship hub founded in 2018 within Santa Casa da Misericordia de Lisboa, offering acceleration, incubation, and mentorship programs to social entrepreneurs aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Impact Entrepreneurship Hub

NAICS

Administrative and Support Services (561)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Impact Investing & Social Finance (Funds, CDFIs, Microfinance) (BPAGALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Impact Investing (Intentional, Measurable Social/Environmental Outcomes) (FSAAALAC), Impact Investment & Social Finance Programs (BPADAOAJ)

Keywords

• Impact entrepreneurship
• Social innovation programs
• Startup acceleration
• Business incubation
• Impact investing

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisbon

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Institutional Funding & Grants: Casa do Impacto operates as a non-profit impact hub funded through institutional partnerships, EU funding (Portugal 2030, Lisbon Regional Program), and social investors including Camara Municipal de Lisboa, Fundacao Galp, and Santander Foundation. The organization coordinates the CONNECT consortium financed by the European Union.
2. Program Services: Provides acceleration, incubation, and investment programs to impact entrepreneurs. Some programs offer monthly bursaries (691.70 EUR) to selected participants. Revenue is not the primary objective; social impact measurement is prioritized.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Casa do Impacto is a social impact entrepreneurship hub operating under Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, providing acceleration, incubation, mentorship, and investment-readiness programs to impact-driven startups aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It runs structured programs (RISE for Impact acceleration, Triggers environmental challenges, Incubation, Investment), community-building activities, and an EU-funded CONNECT consortium bridging academia and impact entrepreneurship.

Product overview

Casa do Impacto operates as a comprehensive impact entrepreneurship hub under Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and services. The core offerings include RISE for Impact (acceleration), Triggers (environmental sustainability training), Incubation, Investment, and Mentoring services. The ecosystem is strengthened by initiatives like CONNECT (EU-funded social innovation consortium), TARGET (wellbeing), PUSH (European exchange via Innonexus), and MATCH Marketplace. Programs run through structured phases—Bootcamp, Capacity Building, and Incubation—providing grants, workspace, and investor exposure. The hub serves as a catalyst for social innovation, supporting entrepreneurs aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CONNECT: Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative (IIES) - a consortium led by Santa Casa da Misericordia de Lisboa with Universidade Nova de Lisboa and Católica-Lisbon's Yunus Social Innovation Center, funded by the EU (LISBOA2030/Portugal Inovação Social).
• RISE for Impact
• Triggers
• TARGET

Products and services

• RISE for Impact
• Triggers
• Incubation
• Investment Program
• CONNECT - Transformar Conhecimento em Impacto
• TARGET
• PUSH
• Open Calls
• MATCH Marketplace

Quantifiable outcome

• 93+ applicants per Open Call cycle with rigorous selection process
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• United Nations Association Portugal (UNA Portugal)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Collaboration protocol signed on International Social Justice Day to promote knowledge, active citizenship, and innovative solutions for Agenda 2030. Joint initiatives include co-creation of events and programs that amplify civil society voices. Combines Casa do Impacto's social innovation catalysis with UNA Portugal's 2030 Agenda experience.
• Startup LisboacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner in Lisbon's startup ecosystem. Collaboration on entrepreneurship support and ecosystem development.
• Universidade Nova de LisboaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner entity in the CONNECT consortium (Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative). Collaborates with Casa do Impacto on bridging academia and impact entrepreneurship practice.
• Universidade Catolica PortuguesaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CONNECT consortium through Yunus Social Innovation Center at Catolica-Lisbon. Academic collaboration for impact entrepreneurship education and research.
• AshokaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term collaboration since Casa do Impacto's founding. Joint efforts to identify and support social entrepreneurs. Casa do Impacto hosts Ashoka Fellows including Bernardo Goncalves (MyPolis) and Elena Duran (55+). Ashoka representatives participate in mentorship and judging activities.
• Unicorn Factory LisboacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partnership to sponsor 'Most Impactful Startup Award' at Entrepreneurship Awards. Casa do Impacto co-organizes events celebrating impact entrepreneurship ecosystem achievements.
• UN Global Compact Network PortugalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSanta Casa da Misericordia de Lisboa joined UNGC in 2018. Nuno Comando (Casa do Impacto Director) serves on the Board of Portuguese Network. Casa do Impacto hosted SDG Flag Day 2025 - Waves of Change event.
• IES Social Business SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the impact entrepreneurship ecosystem providing educational resources and network connections.
• SpeakminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the impact ecosystem focusing on social innovation and communication.
• Code for AllminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing technology and coding education initiatives for social impact.
• Access LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResident startup at Casa do Impacto providing accessibility services for people with disabilities. Born with support from PLUS program.
• GoparityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact investment platform and Casa do Impacto resident. Winner of 2024 Most Impactful Startup Award.
• UbbuminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation technology startup. Finalist in Lisbon Innovation for All program category 'Quality of Education'.
• Class of WondersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup in integration of migrants category of Lisbon Innovation for All. Part of Casa do Impacto ecosystem.
• MicrosoftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner with Rita Serra (Education Lead) on Sonae Education Award jury.
• CiscominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate technology partner supporting Casa do Impacto initiatives.
• ContinenteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRetail partner supporting impact initiatives and sustainability programs.
• ImpactCity HagueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership with impact ecosystem in Hague, Netherlands. Coordinates network of 10 impact hubs in the city. Hosted PUSH program exchange visit.
• Apollo 14 HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHague-based hub hosting 40+ Impact Makers Startups. Part of ImpactCity network. Received Casa do Impacto delegation during PUSH international exchange.
• The Next Web (TNW)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmsterdam-based innovation hub and media organization (Financial Times). Partnership for TNW Conference and international exchange programs. Hosted Casa do Impacto entrepreneurs during Netherlands visit.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Acumen: Established global impact investor and accelerator operating Acumen Academy for social entrepreneur development. Larger and broader than Casa do Impacto but addresses the same pain points (mentorship, capital, community) for impact entrepreneurs, and provides a comparable ecosystem blueprint at greater scale.
• Ashoka: Global network identifying and supporting leading social entrepreneurs via the Ashoka Fellowship. Both Ashoka and Casa do Impacto support the same founders (4 Ashoka Fellows are housed at Casa), making Ashoka a network partner and broader incumbent comparable in mission, though Ashoka operates at global rather than hub level.
• European Venture Philanthropy Association (EVPA): Industry association for venture philanthropy and social investment across Europe. Comparable as part of the same impact-investment ecosystem Casa do Impacto operates within, with shared corporate/foundation members, training programs (e.g., impact management), and policy advocacy that frame how hubs like Casa do Impacto operate.

Direct peers

• Village Capital: Global impact-focused accelerator running peer-selected cohorts and investment readiness programs. Comparable to Casa do Impacto's RISE for Impact acceleration in methodology (cohort-based, peer-supportive) and impact venture targeting, though operating at significantly larger geographic scale.
• Startup Lisboa: Lisbon-based startup hub and Casa do Impacto founding partner. While Startup Lisboa serves broader early-stage startups rather than exclusively impact, it operates a similar acceleration/incubation model in the same city with shared mentor and investor networks, making it a directly comparable peer (and ecosystem partner).
• Impact Hub: Global network of impact-focused entrepreneurship hubs operating in 100+ cities. Most directly comparable to Casa do Impacto as both run programs, mentorship, and community events targeting impact entrepreneurs aligned with UN SDGs. Impact Hub Vienna, Zurich, and Lisbon provide direct geographic overlap.
• Impact Hub Lisbon: Local Lisbon impact hub and direct competitor serving the same impact entrepreneur audience in the same city. Both operate workspace, incubation, and community programs targeting Portuguese social entrepreneurs, making this the closest single-site peer.
• NESsT: Social enterprise accelerator and impact investor operating across Central/Eastern Europe and Latin America. Directly comparable as a regional accelerator that combines incubation, capacity building, and investment for impact ventures, often in partnership with foundations and corporate funders.
• Yunus Social Innovation Center (Catolica-Lisbon): Academic social innovation center and CONNECT consortium partner of Casa do Impacto. Operates social business/entrepreneurship education, research, and program support aligned with Muhammad Yunus's social business framework, providing directly comparable academic-anchored impact entrepreneurship programming.

Others

• B Lab Global: Global non-profit certifying B Corporations and stewarding stakeholder governance standards. Not a direct accelerator competitor but a thematically adjacent ecosystem player whose certification many Casa do Impacto portfolio companies pursue; it shares the impact-measurement and stakeholder-value orientation Casa do Impacto promotes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/casadoimpacto
• Facebookfacebook.com/casadoimpacto

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Casa do Impacto