A bit about me

I've been building things since before I understood that was something people did for a living.

It started at 14 with a website for writers (Textos & Companhia) that grew a bit crazy, got me on TV, and shown that kid in a bedroom in the middle of Portugal the sheer power of the web. FTP'ing files and having your creations seen by people across the country? That changed something in me. And I wanted others to feel the same. At 18, I assembled a team of extraordinary volunteers to create a technology and innovation conference (SWITCH Conference) that became one of Wired's "Top 10 Tech Events in Europe." I met incredible people and started to realize just how big the world is.

A year-ish of university didn't do me much good (though my grandma still thinks I should go back and finish it), so I left to work for two startups in Berlin. I grew a lot there and kept my building side active, but eventually, it was time to build something of my own. A few consulting clients turned into hiring someone, which turned into building a company that, through ups and downs, grew to 30+ people spread all over the world, building products for Fortune 500s and startups. Ten years in the making, we sold the company to figure out what to build next. And perhaps, to build more of our own stuff.

Somewhere along the way, I also started doing speaking engagements. First to "experiment with it," then for the pure fun of it. I've spoken to corporate audiences of five and on massive stages to 8,000+ people. Communicating is, besides building, one of my core passions. There's something special about how words, delivered in the right way and in the right framing, can change how people think and feel. That's a strength I cherish. People ask me if I get nervous. Probably, for the 5 minutes before. But then? I'm in my zone, doing my thing. It's a rush very similar to building... a feeling of completion, a sense of moving forward.

I'm 33 now, and the core pattern hasn't changed: I find something interesting, figure out how to make it real, and build it. Sometimes it works out beautifully. Sometimes it teaches me an expensive lesson. Both are fine. Since then I've been building a new business, using AI to move faster and ship better, while helping other companies do the same.

But who am I, really? I'm skeptical by default. I'm always direct (sometimes too direct, I'm told). If something doesn't make sense to me, I'll say so. If I'm wrong, please say so too. I don't find this rude; I find it respectful. I assume most things can be done if one just tries to do them. I work in bursts, energized by action (motion creates action!). My identity is invariably tied to my work, which is something I stopped fighting a long time ago. I'm driven, and when I'm in a flow state (those who know, know), I can crank. I'm also a bit of an American politics junkie (seriously, who doesn't miss The West Wing?).

I was fortunate to have been introduced to travel early on by my parents, and since then, business and pleasure have taken me around the world. I'm obsessed in a way that occasionally concerns the people around me: 50+ countries, top-tier status with more airlines and hotel chains than is reasonable, and an unhealthy amount of time spent on airline route maps and loyalty program optimization. At some point, this crossed the line from hobby to business (First Row Travel), which is either a natural evolution of me building things or an elaborate justification for spending more time in airport lounges. I haven't decided which.

I live in Porto with Joana and our cat. I spend a lot of time in Switzerland and Singapore (if people had cities as soulmates, Singapore would be mine). I like well-made things, whether that's a product, a hotel experience, or a meal. I have strong opinions about most things and weak opinions about very few.

But what's next? I built and sold a company, founded a conference Wired called one of Europe's best, spoke on stages across continents, and I'm still not entirely sure what I want to be when I grow up.

That's probably the most honest thing I can tell you.