In the course of these fourteen years, the group of web pages built by six students from the University of Aveiro has become Portugal’s major Internet portal. Sapo grew irreverent, joyful and always willing to try new things.

Sapo’s homepage has more than 900,000 visitors each day, thus contributing to Sapo’s leading position in Portugal. Visitors seek Sapo for information, distraction, entertainment or to work, communicate or even make new friends. Sapo’s success story is mostly the result of a focus on tools and content especially conceived for the Portuguese reality.

More than a strictly Portuguese portal, Sapo has become international to take the Portuguese language overseas. 2008 saw the launch of Sapo Cape Verde and Sapo Angola portals as well as Sapo Mobile service in Brazil. Sapo Mozambique was launched in 2009.

The hard work and commitment of everyone involved is a sure contribution to Sapo’s success: a team that works to bring Portugal closer to you.

14 years of Portugal

Sapo has kept and consolidated its leadership since 1995 by constantly innovating in the launch of new services and channels.

At the outset, it launched the free email service, virtual shopping and innovated in terms of search. As internet access speeds increased, Sapo remained at the forefront by providing broadband content, by launching the first TV streaming channel with live broadcasts, a video archive of the most popular TV shows, music downloads and online games.

2005 saw the presentation of Sapo Messenger the first instant messaging service in Portuguese, as well as of Sapo Photos, Auto Sapo, Search, Directory and the Sapo logo. It consolidated its bet on VOIP technology one year later and launched new Sapo Blogs and Sapo Mail as well as Sapo Videos.

2007 started with the launch of Sapo Local and went on with a high rate of innovation. The commitment to launch a novelty every fortnight was fulfilled and highlight should go to the launch of Sapo News, Sapo Spot and Sapo Tastes.

As to 2008, the focus on internationalisation led to the launch of Sapo Cape Verde and Sapo Angola, but Sapo Family was also launched and Sapo Cinema was revamped.

In 2009, big novelties were the focus on multiple platforms with Sapo’s presence on Meo as well as new Sapo Mobile service. Sapo’s content was adapted to mobile phones thus enabling its use in full mobility.

There were many novelties launched this year for various age brackets, tastes and interests. Sapo Kids was launched thinking about the younger generation, Sapo Mozambique was the continuation of the internationalisation strategy, Sapo Woman, Sapo Maps, Sapo Sports – a channel dedicated to sports fans -, Sapo Jobs – for job seekers or employers- and Sapo Weddings – with tips for those wishing to organise such a special day.

2009 also saw Sapo’s presence in major events as Internet partner, and the support for various community initiatives, namely the partnership with Nariz Vermelho Association, making many children happy.

As a real sports fan, it was also present at the Tennis Estoril Open, Bicycle Tour of Portugal, and the outfits of the three major football clubs: Benfica, Sporting and Porto.

But Sapo will not stand still, aiming to maintain its high rate of innovation in order to fulfil the needs of Portuguese internet users. Sapo’s success formula is the result of this relationship of proximity, thus keeping Sapo close to the heart of the Portuguese.