Closure. takes Global Second Place at Techstars Global Pitch Competition

As the second-place team, Closure. is awarded a USD 3,000 cash prize alongside a package of resources to accelerate the product, including three months of access to Lev AI, three months of access to Lovable, one year of access to Theanna, and three hours of mentorship with Techstars mentors.

A Project Born from Real Experience

The idea behind Closure. came from a deeply personal place. "After experiencing the difficulty of handling a family member's death and their administration in the past years, I saw the pressure that it put on my father," says Sophie Dermaux, the team's spokesperson. "He is not alone. Many people are experiencing the same and it is something we are all going to experience but don't know how to start."

Closure. positions itself as a one stop shop for bereaved people going through the inevitable administration process of life after loss. When someone dies, their family is often left navigating a complex web of financial, legal and digital matters at one of the most emotionally difficult times of their life. Many families don't know what the person who passed away owned, what needs to be done with their assets, or by when — a process so complicated that families commonly take over two years to handle these affairs.

While financial planners and will creators help individuals prepare for the end of their life, and therapeutic services support people through bereavement, Closure. bridges the gap between the two, offering both emotional and practical support to help families get through the administration process so they can focus on healing.

From Four Strangers to a Global Top 2

For Closure., the weekend in Loulé was a starting point rather than a finish line.

"What stood out about this whole experience was the quality of people around us. Mentors who gave real, substantive feedback. A community that stayed engaged beyond the event. We had an environment that genuinely encouraged collaboration and growth," the Closure. team — Sophie, Kamran, Victoria and Mima — said. "That ecosystem is what helped us keep growing into something we're truly proud of, and this global second place is a reflection of everyone who was part of that journey."

For the organisers, the result speaks to what is possible when the right conditions are in place. "What started as four strangers meeting in Loulé turned into a team that kept building together long after the weekend," said Flor Dos Reis, organiser. "Over the following three months, alongside their own jobs and responsibilities, they continued refining 'Closure.' remotely with a team spread half-half across the Algarve and Lisbon, motivated by the opportunity ahead. Reaching the global top 2 is proof that today opportunities can grow from anywhere — we just need to create the right conditions and spaces for them to exist."

The mentors who supported the team through the process see Closure. as an example of the impact that lived experience and entrepreneurship can have together. "Closure proves that even the most difficult challenges can find a solution when people are willing to openly face the real issue behind them. Death is not a comfortable topic, yet it sits at the root of some of life's greatest challenges," said Wouter Heijnen, Sotavento Invest, who mentored the team in the practice session ahead of the final pitch. "The fact that Closure is focused on bringing relief and support when a loved one passes away shows how powerful the combination of lived experience and entrepreneurship can be."

About Closure.

Closure. is a platform that helps bereaved families manage the practical, financial, legal and digital affairs of a loved one who has passed away, bridging the gap between financial planning and bereavement support. It was developed by an international team — Sophie Dermaux (spokesperson), Mima Cibic, Kamran Thomas Alimagham and Victoria Robinson — from Portugal, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Slovenia.

About Startup Weekend Women Loulé

Techstars Startup Weekend Women Loulé took place from 6 to 8 March 2026 at Montalvo International School in Loulé, Portugal, as one of 38 editions worldwide of a global Techstars initiative for International Women's Day. Over 54 hours, participants formed teams, developed startup ideas and pitched to a panel of expert judges. The event was organised by Flourish Mode, Local.Foundation, Algarve Evolution and the 351 Portuguese Startup Association.

More information at swloule.com.

Event Details

Result: 2nd place, Techstars Global Pitch Competition
Prize: USD 3,000 cash prize, plus access to Lev AI (3 months), Lovable (3 months), Theanna (1 year) and 3 hours of Techstars mentorship
Date: 13 May 2026
Format: Virtual Pitch
Website: swloule.com
Media Resources: Assets
Closure. founders: Sophie Dermaux (spokesperson), Mima Cibic, Kamran Thomas Alimagham, Victoria Robinson