It all began during Pride Month of 2024, when co-founders Tomás Drouin and Rey Tuplano opened Aconchego House on Lisbon’s Rua de São Sebastião de Pedreira. Tomás, a trans man, wanted to create an inclusive space that would support Portugal’s LGBTQIA+ community by drawing on his own journey and experiences within the queer community. His vision found the perfect partner in Rey Tuplano, whose extensive background in business incubation, brand and business launch, fund raising, media, and market research added a strategic foundation to the venture. Together, they built Aconchego House not only as a haven for the community but as an incubator, helping members thrive through mentorship, resources, and a welcoming, supportive environment.

Why Aconchego House? In Portuguese, the word “Aconchego” means many things: “shelter”, “safety”, “coziness”, and "caring", which is exactly what Aconchego House is all about. Our logo depicts the connectivity aspect of Aconchego – the eight acronyms of the LGBTQIA+ community leading to the center and creating one powerful element – and is also deeply inspired by the Noble Eightfold Path.