The Macao Technological Innovation Exploration in Lisbon 2025, held from 10 to 14 November, is part of Sands China’s support for the Macao SAR Government in promoting the sustainable development of smart tourism and high-tech industries. The initiative was co-organised by the Macao Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) and supported by the Macao Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT). Coordination was carried out by the Sands Resorts Incubation Centre, a company initiative that is dedicated to discovering and supporting local innovative enterprises with development potential.
Lisbon once again became the meeting point between Macao’s curiosity and ambition. The 2025 Macao Technological Innovation Exploration in Lisbon marked the second chapter of a journey that began in 2024.
The delegation of 38 members crossed borders once more. Among them were 25 DSEDT-certified enterprises, Macao enterprises included in the National Co-working Space, and the organising entities (see box).
The initiative aimed to strengthen Macao’s role as a platform connecting China, Portugal and the Portuguese-speaking world, promoting technological exchange, talent development and sustainable cooperation opportunities. Integrated into the Macao SAR’s “1+4” economic development plan, it also symbolised the public–private commitment to accelerating Macao’s transition towards a knowledge-driven economy.
The itinerary began at the largest stage for ideas in the tech world, Web Summit 2025, which once again turned Lisbon into the beating heart of global innovation. In the corridors of the Altice Arena and FIL, amid lights, stages, and the constant buzz of thousands of visitors, Macao’s delegates immersed themselves in a universe where the present and the future converge.
Here, artificial intelligence dominated conversations, yet the diversity of themes and entrepreneurs from all over the world showed how technology has become a universal language – one that Macao is mastering as it integrates itself into this global discussion.
Among the new participants, the ever-smiling Johnny Au, from NetCraft Information Technology, described a vibrant, multifaceted event with “several stages and different areas with very clear and distinct purposes”. He added that Sands China plays “a very important role”, as it “encourages local companies to do business and get to know one another, but also to expand their network”. He concluded that, as an “international event”, the Web Summit allows attendees “to formulate ideas and identify partners”.
For Calvin Sio, from Zence Object Technology Limited, this second participation in the Web Summit brought a new perspective. “The first time I participated was in 2023; I wanted to see the biggest tech fair in the world,” he recalled. “I feel things are evolving. In 2023, there was a strong focus on European companies, and now I’m starting to see many from Asia, especially from China, Japan, and even Hong Kong. It is becoming more international, and that means more opportunities,” said Sio, who jumped from stage to stage across the five FIL pavilions during the three days of the summit.
Meanwhile, Ken Lai, from AKL Intelligence Technology Limited, returned to Lisbon with the enthusiasm of someone who saw concrete results emerge from the previous mission. He explained that after the 2024 trip, he “had the opportunity to speak with Sands China’s executives”, which eventually led to a new project. “That was the first change after the mission,” he said.
Amid the crowds of the Web Summit, where startups competed for seconds of attention and ideas circulated at the pace of curiosity, Ken acknowledged that returning was essential. “Last year I saw several companies focused on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, and since then a lot has changed in that industry, so I wanted to come back and see the progress for myself.” The mission, he emphasised, “helps us a lot. It is not just the Web Summit; we also have networking activities and visits to specific companies on the agenda. It opens doors for us to explore new ideas and opportunities to present our services.”
From inspiration to collaboration
After a first year marked by discovery, the 2025 edition embraced the moment to pursue partnerships. Macao’s companies did not only come to observe what was happening in the world of innovation, but they also came to identify collaborative opportunities.
As noted by Grant Chum, chief executive officer and executive director of Sands China, “after the success of last year’s visit,” he hoped that this initiative could help “connect Macao’s technology industry with Portugal’s innovation ecosystem, create networking opportunities between companies in Macao and Portugal, and strengthen the platform for exchange and cooperation between Macao’s technology industry and Sands China.”
Amid the sounds of presentations and the excitement of new ideas, Lisbon became, for one week, a reflection of what Macao aspires to be: a place where the future is built through collaboration.
