Collection
The closing advice.
Every Founder Tales episode ends the same way: the host asks for one last piece of advice, and the guest gives it. 107 pieces of advice from people who have built — each linking to the second it was said.
“Continuar esse conceito de validação é importante porque um mês numa vida de uma startup é muito, se calhar seis meses na vida de uma pessoa normal.”
The guest advises founders to validate their idea from the start and to continuously revalidate it throughout the startup's lifecycle, as changes happen rapidly in a startup and what was valid a month ago may no longer be relevant.
Transformou uma doença rara numa startup · #113 · Aug 3, 2026 · 51:00 →
“Nós em Portugal em particular, se nós nos perguntarmos aos três qual são os setores estratégicos que Portugal está investindo, não sabemos responder.”
Portugal should clearly define its top five strategic innovation sectors and concentrate resources on building recognized expertise, rather than spreading efforts too thin. Additionally, it should leverage its geographical and innovation advantages to develop innovation ecosystems in Africa through technology parks and mentorship programs.
O que é uma Zona Livre Tecnológica? · #112 · Jul 27, 2026 · 54:10 →
“Eu pessoalmente não posso estar em 20 projetos, mas 1 a 3 no máximo em simultâneo.”
Founders should focus on 1 to 3 projects simultaneously, ensuring they can manage their time effectively and maintain focus on priorities that naturally interconnect, rather than spreading themselves too thin across too many projects at once.
Female founders recebem só 2% de todo o investimento · #111 · Jul 15, 2026 · 28:35 →
“Ser empreendedor dá mesmo muito trabalho. Dá muito trabalho e muitas horas.”
An entrepreneur should understand that the journey is difficult and demands hard work and dedication, but must learn to let things flow, accepting both successes and failures as learning opportunities to apply to the next venture.
Miguel Vieira · #110 · Jul 7, 2026 · 55:32 →
“O "fake it" e a ação gera data points, e permite iteração cada vez mais rápido.”
An entrepreneur should embrace "fake it till you make it" philosophically, acting quickly without obsessing over perfect initial output, as each action generates data points enabling faster iteration. At the same time, one must stay several months ahead of current reality, acting as though they have more capacity than they actually possess at that moment.
João Pedro Almeida · #109 · Jun 29, 2026 · 1:07:17 →
“O que interessa é o que funciona para ti. Portanto, há uma forma ótima de fazer o caminho, mas se ela não for a forma ótima para ti, tu não a vais fazer.”
Ana believes it's important to remain curious and open to feedback from those with more experience, but ultimately find what works for you personally rather than blindly following the path others have chosen or what the internet says is best.
“Falem com outros founders, principalmente. São pessoas que já passaram, que vocês já tiveram muitos dos mesmos problemas.”
Vicente advises entrepreneurs to talk with other founders, especially in early stages, as they are people who have already faced similar problems and have much more knowledge. He also recommends attending events and surrounding yourself with experienced people who can help you iterate your pitch and strategy.
Vicente Mayer Garção · #107 · Jun 1, 2026 · 58:00 →
“Façam. Mesmo que seja difícil e mesmo que haja algumas alturas que desceba de dizer "Paravelíssimo". Pelo menos no meu caso compensou.”
He advises people to pursue their ideas even when it's difficult, as the long-term satisfaction and personal fulfillment make all the hard work worthwhile. You don't need to abandon everything at once, but you should try while balancing other commitments, because the reward will be substantial.
Tomás Pessoa e Costa · #106 · May 26, 2026 · 42:11 →
“Diplomacia económica era o que eu faria se tivesse no Estado português, mas a sério, de forma agressiva, com equipas altamente qualificadas, de faca nos dentes”
Alexandre Santos urges the Portuguese government to pursue an aggressive economic diplomacy strategy, deploying highly skilled teams to systematically promote and sell Portuguese companies—both startups and traditional enterprises—on the global stage, rather than relying primarily on tourism as the main economic driver.
Alexandre Santos · #105 · May 18, 2026 · 1:12:36 →
“A paixão, o teu propósito e onde é que te dedicas não tem dia, não tem fim de semana.”
Those working in startups or as investors must accept the emotional intensity and personal toll that comes with commitment, learning to manage that emotional rollercoaster, and should focus on what truly matters: purpose and passionate dedication, like elite athletes who think about their goal 24/7 without counting hours.
Eduardo Piedade · #104 · Aug 4, 2025 · 23:36 →
“Ignorância é o que faz mover-te para frente. Que não saber o que vem para frente é o que faz você ter coragem de efetivamente começar.”
Diego advises seeking just the minimum knowledge needed to take the first step with confidence, rather than becoming paralyzed by worrying about everything that will need to be learned later. Not knowing what lies ahead is what gives you the courage to actually begin, and you build the rest of the path as you go.
Diego Sampaio · #103 · Jul 21, 2025 · 59:16 →
“O produto é validado com muito menos trabalho e esforço do que aquilo que pensas.”
An entrepreneur should validate a product with far less effort than initially expected, using simple mechanisms like risk-sharing contracts or pre-authorized credit cards to confirm whether people truly want to pay for the solution.
Paulo Cunha · #102 · Jun 16, 2025 · 1:23:14 →
“Tentem mostrar o positivismo, porque é muito importante para as pessoas que estão do outro lado darem confiança.”
The speaker recommends cultivating a default mindset of positivity—what he calls "smile by default"—as an automatic response to challenges, since this projects confidence to those around you. He also advises setting aside at least six months of personal expenses, roughly 5,000 to 10,000 euros, before launching a venture. This financial cushion provides the security needed to take risks on a new idea without desperation clouding your decisions.
Humberto Ayres Pereira · #101 · Jun 9, 2025 · 1:12:29 →
“Fazes com tanto volume que se torna não plausível não ter sucesso.”
André recommends that entrepreneurs make numerous attempts and work with such high volume that success becomes virtually inevitable, maintaining self-belief while failing fast along the way.
André Dionísio · #100 · Jun 2, 2025 · 1:06:48 →
“Procurem modelos que alinem os incentivos. Procurem ter eco a ti se for possível.”
Someone who wants to reach a position of freedom to create their own project should start by securing their basic needs and seek work models that align incentives between employees and owners, rather than simply receiving a fixed salary, while exercising patience throughout the building process.
“É um período muito longo em que estás a achar, "Pah, isso é uma merda, eu só fiz maus investimentos".”
Anyone considering a career in venture capital should be prepared to go through a complete fund cycle, which takes at least 15 years, and must have the psychological resilience to handle failed investments, company closures, and extended periods of self-doubt about their performance, as not everyone can manage these difficulties in the same way.
Pedro Ribeiro Santos · #098 · May 18, 2025 · 29:24 →
“Quanto maior for o objetivo e a ambição, mais fácil vai ser fazer algo bastante bom e chegar lá.”
Founders with ambitious goals should clarify their vision and build a strong team, as big ambitions attract talented people who want to be part of a meaningful movement, and a solid team compounds impact over time.
Rodrigo Fernandes e João Cerejeira · #097 · May 12, 2025 · 11:15 →
“O tema das aquisições tem que ser bem planeado, tem que ser bem pensado, exige muito profissionalismo.”
Pedro would advise being extremely careful with partners for acquisitions, conducting professional pre-due diligence and due diligence rather than relying solely on personal connections, especially in non-niche markets, as this is a process requiring rigorous planning and professionalism.
Pedro Barbosa · #096 · May 5, 2025 · 22:50 →
“Isto não é para espíritos fracos. Porque é muito difícil, é muito duro.”
Hugo Filipe Ribeiro advises young entrepreneurs to be aware of the risks and treat their business seriously, as entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart — it's extremely challenging and demanding, especially when people and families depend on the decisions being made.
Hugo Filipe Ribeiro · #095 · Apr 28, 2025 · 1:31:09 →
“Não valorizo a ideia, valorizo é o espaço onde estamos a trabalhar e a equipa que está a fazer, acho que isso é a coisa mais importante de todas.”
The initial idea is not the final idea, so it's important to focus on the problem and market rather than clinging to the original vision, as the journey will reveal opportunities the initial idea could not anticipate.
André Santos · #094 · Apr 21, 2025 · 1:22:53 →
“O teu cérebro vai expandir muito mais se tu tivesses exposto a um ambiente de alto desafio e de alto rendimento.”
In the early career phase, it's crucial to seek high-intensity environments that accelerate learning and growth—whether through a startup, a challenging project, or founding one's own venture—because that's when the brain is most capable of expanding and thriving under sustained challenge.
Roberto Machado · #093 · Apr 13, 2025 · 1:21:57 →
“A parte mais difícil é tu encontrar as pessoas certas para fazer a tua empresa, porque cada wrong hire, o custo é altíssimo.”
João believes that finding and hiring the right people is the most critical challenge early on, and spending three times longer on recruitment more than pays for itself, since every wrong hire comes with an enormous cost in productivity, technical debt, and wasted energy.
João Alves · #092 · Apr 7, 2025 · 1:04:03 →
“Tive muita sorte com a equipa que escolhi e que acabei por ter. Acho que o que mais gosto é trabalhar com as pessoas com quem eu trabalho.”
A young entrepreneur should choose the right people for their team, as working with people who challenge and add value greatly motivates tackling the challenges and risks of entrepreneurship. Additionally, they should develop resilience, maintain a clear vision and be stubborn about that vision, but flexible in how to achieve it.
Luís Santiago Pinto · #091 · Mar 31, 2025 · 55:19 →
“O tipo de founder que nós procuramos são aqueles de esponja. Se tu lhes disseres isso, eles estão a ouvir, muito atentos.”
Ricardo advises founders to be like a sponge, listening carefully to mentors' feedback and asking why they suggest certain changes, while maintaining autonomy to decide based on their daily understanding of the business and rational reasoning for their choices.
Ricardo Macedo · #090 · Mar 17, 2025 · 59:27 →
“Escolher muito bem os investidores e mesmo os sócios, estar atentos aos sinais, porque a maior parte das coisas que dão errado, nós às vezes tendemos a só overlook.”
Bootstrap as long as possible and delay funding rounds while carefully selecting investors and partners, paying attention to warning signs. It's equally important to talk with other entrepreneurs who have faced similar challenges, sharing struggles and experiences with the community in a spirit of mutual support.
Nuno Brito Jorge · #089 · Mar 12, 2025 · 1:00:10 →
“Se nós não conseguimos vender podemos ser os melhores engenheiros do mundo e trabalhar para outros.”
Portuguese entrepreneurs should focus more on the commercial side and sales strategy, as engineering excellence alone doesn't lead to market success without proper sales capabilities, including well-defined teams, commissions, quotas, and territories.
Francisco Almada-Lobo · #088 · Mar 3, 2025 · 1:18:59 →
“O medo não te deve paralisar. Desde que não te paralise, está tudo bem.”
Mariana advises not to let fear paralyze you when starting something new, as fear is natural but should serve as motivation rather than a barrier. She emphasizes the importance of self-belief, captured in her motto "you can do it."
Mariana Barbosa · #087 · Feb 24, 2025 · 13:53 →
“Se tu percebes como os humanos funcionam tu consegues potenciar o teu negócio muito mais, porque não há negócio que funcione sem pessoas.”
Miguel advises focusing on understanding how humans function through philosophy and social sciences, rather than solely reading startup and funding books, as grasping human behavior is fundamental to any business that depends on people.
Miguel Fidalgo · #086 · Feb 17, 2025 · 55:42 →
“A paixão vende. Vocês conseguem vender a paixão num slide branco com letras pretas, é tão simples quanto isso.”
Ricardo Costa advises aspiring entrepreneurs to start with something they genuinely love and are passionate about, to question the status quo and think differently, and above all to be resilient and persistent, viewing each rejection as one step closer to success.
Ricardo Costa · #085 · Feb 10, 2025 · 1:09:56 →
“Move to wherever your market is. Faz toda a diferença a partir do momento em que mudas para lá.”
Frederico advises any entrepreneur with an international idea to physically relocate to where their market is, because being on the ground changes everything, especially when cultures are vastly different. It allows them to validate their idea directly with customers and adjust their strategy based on real-world conditions.
Frederico Bello · #084 · Feb 3, 2025 · 1:21:17 →
“É preferível falhar e ter conseguido ter tido alguma experiência do que não começar de tudo.”
Carolina recommends not being afraid to fail, as it's better to fail and gain experience than never to start at all, especially in a small ecosystem like Portugal's where fear of judgment often paralyzes entrepreneurs.
Carolina Amorim · #083 · Jan 30, 2025 · 37:04 →
“Do something meaningful. That's my advice. Always.”
A young entrepreneur should tackle a problem that feels personally meaningful, as this sustained motivation prevents burnout and ensures long-term commitment to solving it.
Clara Gonçalves · #082 · Dec 16, 2024 · 29:39 →
“Ninguém conhece mais sobre o teu negócio do que tu enquanto empreendedor.”
An entrepreneur should consistently maintain critical judgment and make their own decisions, as no one knows more about their business than they do themselves, regardless of feedback and learning from others.
José Salgado · #081 · Dec 9, 2024 · 40:02 →
“O treinador, raramente tens coaches, raramente tens o gajo que está ali a apoiar e a olhar para várias partes.”
Entrepreneurs should invest in medium and long-term relationships with their best team members, foster connections that go beyond work, and actively seek external coaches and mentors who can provide independent perspective—just as professional football teams have coaches and technical staff alongside players.
Miguel Santo Amaro · #080 · Dec 2, 2024 · 56:03 →
“Falhar rápido. Corrigir ainda mais rápido e iterar continuamente nisso. E não tenho medo de falhar.”
One should not fear failure but instead fail fast, correct even faster, and iterate continuously, rejecting the pursuit of perfection and understanding that what matters is to move forward, adjust, and improve incrementally.
Márcio Martins · #079 · Nov 25, 2024 · 1:18:17 →
“Começamos com uma coisa super complicada, imensamente complicada. E a verdade é que podemos começar com uma.”
Jenny Romano advises entrepreneurs to strip their product back to basics from the start, launching with a single feature rather than trying to solve multiple problems at once, and to validate the idea with the market before investing in complex development or seeking funding.
Jenny Romano · #078 · Nov 18, 2024 · 10:19 →
“Acreditar em ti no sentido de "tenho o meu instinto e ele há de estar certo".”
Ricardo Mesquita advises young entrepreneurs to trust their instinct and intuition, taking calculated and educated risks, while identifying people who excel in their field to learn from as a sponge, and building their own support community.
Ricardo Mesquita · #077 · Nov 11, 2024 · 59:33 →
“Um comboio passa uma vez, eu estou sempre a dizer isso às pessoas, que é tipo, as oportunidades únicas existem, às vezes não passa ao mesmo comboio, mas passa a um comboio diferente.”
One should recognize that opportunities rarely come just once and that perfect timing seldom exists. Even if unable to seize an opportunity at the ideal moment, others will emerge later, often with greater impact than they would have had originally, as long as one maintains a mindset of action and minimizing regrets.
Ivo Bernardo · #076 · Nov 4, 2024 · 1:21:08 →
“As coisas não têm o peso que damos ou que existe na nossa cabeça.”
The entrepreneur shouldn't take everything so seriously or blow things out of proportion, keeping her standards high at work while adopting a lighter, more compassionate attitude toward herself when facing setbacks and failures.
Tatiana Sá Marques · #075 · Oct 28, 2024 · 1:09:09 →
“As empresas têm de ser super verticais, super especializadas numa área, e as melhores a fazer aquilo”
Bernardo emphasizes that companies should be highly vertical and specialized in a specific area, becoming the best at what they do, rather than just being another wrapper around generic technology with some added features, as this is the only way to build defensible competitive advantage.
Bernardo Seixas · #074 · Oct 21, 2024 · 19:23 →
“Consistência, consistência, consistência, consistência. Eventualmente a audiência vai começar a acumular.”
The guest should find their niche and develop a consistent format, publishing always at the same time and maintaining that regularity religiously, as this creates a compound effect that rewards persistence and integrates the podcast into people's routines.
um e-commerce? + Origem de Founder Tales com João Campaniço · #073 · Oct 14, 2024 · 1:22:53 →
“Se não estás a acreditar mesmo, tu tens de ter a pessoa que mais acredita naquele produto ou naquele serviço.”
An entrepreneur should genuinely believe in what they're building, because without that belief, no one else will believe in it either. Additionally, they should surround themselves with people they connect with naturally and who bring complementary skills, trusting intuition and personal chemistry over pure strategic planning.
Ricardo Marvão · #072 · Jul 18, 2024 · 1:08:10 →
“Na prática é provável que sejas mesmo tu. Dificilmente haveria outro.”
The guest recommends believing in oneself and pursuing goals with conviction, as one is often exactly the right person to make something happen, and not giving up in the face of self-doubt or impostor syndrome that arises along the way.
André Marquet · #071 · Jul 8, 2024 · 1:24:34 →
“Os dois lados têm sempre a razão, têm sempre as suas razões.”
The guest advises putting oneself in the other person's shoes—whether a partner, client, or collaborator—to understand their motivations and perspectives. This empathetic approach unlocks more effective discussions and resolves conflicts more productively.
Jomi Monteiro · #070 · Jul 1, 2024 · 15:14 →
“An idea only becomes real when you start talking about it with other people, with customers.”
The guest recommends starting validation as early as possible by talking to people and customers, iterating quickly, and fixing mistakes immediately upon discovery, since in the startup world everything comes down to execution speed.
Live from the SIM conference · #069 · Jun 4, 2024 · 56:15 →
“Nós não fazemos nada em outsourcing. Tudo aquilo que nós produzimos é tudo nosso.”
Tomás Mendes advises keeping design, marketing, and production in-house to build a resilient structure capable of tackling new challenges and standing out through product quality and brand values, rejecting outsourcing as a path to sustainable growth.
Tomás Mendes · #068 · May 20, 2024 · 58:26 →
“Muitas vezes nós temos tendência a ser muito utilitarista. Mas eu acho que às vezes nós irmos ver o King Lear ou ler um Camus vai-te dar uma perspetiva sobre a natureza humana.”
Portuguese people should read more broadly—not just practical business books, but classic literature and works of art that offer insight into human nature and how societies evolve. This kind of reading deepens thinking and improves decision-making.
Pedro Amorim · #066 · Apr 29, 2024 · 18:18 →
“Se tu não achares que estás a falar com mais pessoas, não estás a falar com o número certo.”
A founder should carefully prioritize mental health during the entrepreneurial journey by setting boundaries like not working on weekends, as this actually increases productivity during the week. Additionally, founders should speak with as many people as possible, even beyond what feels necessary, because learning from others' problems is invaluable and often leads to discovering real market needs.
Adriano Martins · #065 · Apr 22, 2024 · 27:21 →
“Tu precisas ter uma base forte de conhecimento para conseguires fazer esse trabalho porque é a tua imagem que está em jogo.”
Rodrigo Ferreira advises keeping solid sector knowledge as a foundation and avoiding the trap of chasing quick returns. Every project reflects directly on the startup's reputation and brand, so it's better to turn down low-quality work that could damage the company's future than to take it on.
Rodrigo Ferreira · #064 · Apr 15, 2024 · 1:23:21 →
“Não te sinta pressionado a ter sucesso. Não és obrigado a ter sucesso mesmo com o estudo.”
Felipe advises aspiring entrepreneurs not to feel pressured to succeed just because they've studied or prepared well, and to focus on enjoying the journey, as major success stories typically take around 10 years to unfold.
Felipe Ávila da Costa · #063 · Apr 1, 2024 · 10:43 →
“Há muitas coisas que só se aprendem com a fazer, há muitas experiências que só aprendes depois de ter.”
João Ramos advises founders to be extremely selective when choosing their co-founders and core team, since much of what you need to know can only be learned by doing, and having the right people by your side throughout that journey is absolutely critical.
João Ramos · #062 · Mar 28, 2024 · 16:57 →
“Ouvir e digerir. Não é ouvir e seguir, é ouvir e digerir.”
An entrepreneur should listen to many opinions but learn to selectively digest what makes sense for their path, rather than blindly follow everything others suggest, since no one understands the problem they're solving better than they do.
Ivanoel Rodrigues · #060 · Mar 11, 2024 · 1:11:06 →
“O trabalho mais difícil do mundo. Mais difícil. Pelo menos para pessoas mais técnicas.”
A founder needs to be ready to manage people, understanding that this is one of the hardest challenges in the world, especially for technical and engineering-minded leaders, and should have prioritized this skill from day one.
Luís de Matos · #059 · Mar 4, 2024 · 1:19:15 →
“Focando aqui no empreendedorismo, procurar aconselhamento profissional para a parte financeira.”
Maria João advises entrepreneurs to seek specialized financial guidance from the start rather than relying on generic financial templates, as proper financial structuring is essential for attracting investors and preventing delays in company growth.
Maria João Maia · #058 · Feb 27, 2024 · 1:16:14 →
“O único conselho é não ouvir o ruído. Toda a gente consegue dizer mal, ou ter uma opinião negativa, ou dizer que aquilo não é possível.”
Ivo Gomes advises founders to tune out external noise, particularly from people without entrepreneurial experience, and rely on their own judgment. He notes that not knowing any better at the start actually enabled him to learn and accomplish things that would have otherwise seemed impossible.
“Preocupem-se em escolher os melhores mentores, porque são esses que vos vão ensinar e vos vão abrir portas.”
André Flórido recommends that those starting their career should prioritize choosing good mentors above all else, as they teach you how to do things and how not to do them, and they open doors. One should bring value to conversations with potential mentors, never approach them transactionally, and be genuinely interested in listening before asking for anything in return.
André Flórido · #055 · Feb 5, 2024 · 51:17 →
“Vocês é que sabem bem o que é que precisam. Vocês conhecem melhor e o sucesso é esse negócio. Vai ser auto-imposto a vocês e a mais ninguém.”
Founders should critically evaluate advice from investors and advisors while remembering that they know their business best and must make decisions consciously, since their success ultimately rests on their own shoulders and no one else's.
António Rocha · #054 · Dec 17, 2023 · 15:42 →
“Arranja mentores assim que possível. Mesmo que informais. E cria relações com ela.”
One should seek mentors as early as possible in their career, even informally, by cultivating relationships with trusted people who see potential in them, maintaining these connections regularly, and always trying to learn from and give back to them as much as possible.
Behind the Tales #2: Quem são os ouvintes de Founder Tales? · #053 · Dec 13, 2023 · 1:04:22 →
“Em early stage tens que otimizar para tarefas macro, grandes, que serão altamente impactantes para tu encontrar os sinais que precisas.”
Early-stage entrepreneurs should focus on macro, high-impact tasks rather than getting obsessed with micro improvements that don't move the needle, and be willing to pivot quickly when something isn't working after a few months of trying.
faturação e clientes? com Guilherme Coelho · #052 · Dec 4, 2023 · 58:58 →
“Mais vale ter menos pessoas e pessoas muito boas que tenham a mesma visão que tu e que consigam mesmo dar o tudo ou nada.”
Alvaro Meyer advises young entrepreneurs to surround themselves with good people who share the same vision and are willing to give their all, and to take more risks while young, since money can be recovered but experience gained early is invaluable.
Alvaro Meyer · #051 · Nov 20, 2023 · 1:01:02 →
“Procura formas de alinhar os incentivos no sítio onde tu estás sejas empregado, sejas o dono da empresa, sejas quem tu fores”
Find ways to align incentives in your organization, whether you're an employee or founder, because aligned incentives lead to happier people, more resilient organizations, and greater productivity.
“Lembro-me de ir muito às vezes ao IFP, tipo, implorar para eles pagarem, mas eles não sabem como é que é as coisas públicas em Portugal.”
João should focus on building authentic relationships with investors by showing transparency about challenges and the reality of the Portuguese market, rather than trying to compensate for his age with simulated experience.
João Guimarães · #048 · Oct 30, 2023 · 1:47 →
“É aprender a dizer que não às coisas que são importantes. Porque é tudo giro. E depois é o tempo que não dá.”
A founder needs to learn to say no to things that matter and that they'd love to do, because time is finite and being selective about choices is essential to keeping the company on track.
Rita Vilas-Boas · #047 · Oct 23, 2023 · 1:07:48 →
“Acreditem que é possível. Ignorem esse ruído e se for isso que vocês querem fazer e acreditarem que têm essa resiliência, vão em frente.”
André Oliveira encourages young entrepreneurs to believe that entrepreneurship is viable in Portugal, tuning out the negative noise from the social and political environment, and to move forward with resilience if they truly feel called to this path.
André Oliveira · #046 · Oct 16, 2023 · 18:49 →
“A vossa ideia espetacular é uma merda. Mantenham a flexibilidade.”
Assume the initial idea will likely fail and stay flexible, focusing on clear B2B problems for large enterprises with high revenue. Entrepreneurship is a long-term project, not short or medium-term, so one must be prepared for an extended journey.
Daniela Seixas e Humberto Ayres Pereira · #044 · Jun 13, 2023 · 1:01:56 →
“O difícil é continuar. Porque eu vejo imensos empreendedores que estão a fazer coisas boas e depois surgem adversidades, porque é o mais natural, e por algum motivo não conseguem ultrapassar essas adversidades.”
An entrepreneur should understand that perseverance is the hardest part, especially when facing inevitable setbacks, and that community support and the perspective that days are long but years are short provide the resilience needed to keep going.
António Miguel · #043 · Jun 5, 2023 · 40:57 →
“Os negócios do futuro são aqueles que lucram enquanto resolvem problemas sociais e ambientais.”
António Miguel advises that entrepreneurs seeking to solve social and environmental problems through business should leverage not just venture capital but also tools like Social Impact Bonds, which fund outcomes rather than activities, creating stronger incentives to ensure social impact is genuinely achieved.
António Miguel · #042 · May 28, 2023 · 35:20 →
“Chill, calma, porque acho que eu era muito ansioso e queria tudo antes de já.”
Miguel advises managing anxiety and staying calm by thinking deeply about problems before taking action, rather than wanting everything resolved immediately. This allows one to move fast more efficiently, breaking what needs to be broken while thinking deeply enough about each topic.
Miguel Alves Ribeiro · #041 · May 22, 2023 · 36:56 →
“O cashback ou a wallet da ShareMe ajuda-me a poder usar em 100 mil serviços.”
Business owners should recognize that investing in a platform that drives customer acquisition is more valuable than attempting to bypass it with direct discounts, since the platform provides greater convenience and higher usage frequency for customers.
Miguel Alves Ribeiro · #040 · May 14, 2023 · 36:05 →
“Tens que encontrar a tua voz naquilo que tu achas que realmente és diferente e que podes acrescentar valor no mercado.”
A venture capital investor should find their own unique voice and clearly identify where they are different and what value they can add to the market, because with the explosion in the number of VCs, many look similar, and only the differentiated ones will thrive in an increasingly mature market.
Alexandre Santos · #039 · May 1, 2023 · 34:44 →
“É muito diferente teres que negociar termos só com um versus ter algum equilíbrio de opiniões com o outro.”
A founder should seek balance among multiple investors in a funding round to avoid excessive power concentration with a single investor, and should carefully consider what value each investor brings beyond capital, such as data, network, and expertise in specific domains.
Alexandre Santos · #038 · Apr 24, 2023 · 32:53 →
“As coisas vão mudar, as coisas mudam, mudam rapidamente, ou seja, tens que estar constantemente a aprender, constantemente a adaptar-te.”
João recommends constantly learning and adapting to rapid change, and building an antifragile system where volatility brings positive outcomes by learning from experiments and failures rather than fearing change.
João Magalhães · #037 · Apr 17, 2023 · 50:13 →
“O dinheiro nunca é o problema, o dinheiro é sempre uma consequência de um outro problema qualquer.”
Money is never the problem—it's always a symptom of something else. If you can't raise capital, investors likely don't see a compelling case for your project, which means you probably shouldn't be investing your time in it either. Additionally, as a founder, hold firm to your vision and don't compromise it just to please investors or advisors, since they only see part of the bigger picture you're building.
João Aroso · #036 · Apr 10, 2023 · 50:34 →
“Fazer as coisas rápido mais do que bem às vezes é muito importante.”
An entrepreneur should value time above all else, prioritizing speed of launch and rapid iteration over perfection, and constantly remain aware of the opportunity cost of not acting quickly in the market.
João Marques · #035 · Apr 3, 2023 · 23:46 →
“Tu no modelo antigo fazias 3 serviços por dia e ganhavas X, agora fazes 6, 7, 8 e ainda recebes mais.”
João Marques advises shifting from an hourly-based work model to an objective-based one, demonstrating to technicians that they can earn significantly more by working fewer hours while delivering more daily services, which drives specialization and efficiency.
João Marques · #034 · Mar 27, 2023 · 25:44 →
“Valorizámos demais os números e as previsões, desvalorizámos as pessoas.”
Rui Rocha Costa advises entrepreneurs to prioritize people—both team members and customers—over spreadsheets and forecasts, preserving the human relationships that give meaning to the venture rather than sacrificing them on the altar of growth metrics.
Rui Rocha Costa · #033 · Mar 20, 2023 · 40:35 →
“B2C é caro, fica muito caro, é preciso um budget muito grande para adquirir clientes, consumidores finais.”
Start where you have a natural competitive advantage rather than competing in expensive channels. Rui leveraged the existing network in companies to build B2B2C, which reduced customer acquisition costs dramatically and enabled operational efficiency through bulk deliveries to the same locations.
Rui Rocha Costa · #032 · Mar 13, 2023 · 38:34 →
“A empresa provavelmente vai falhar, pode falhar, mas os amigos não podem falhar nesse momento.”
Mário believes it's essential to prioritize family and friends, including proper time off and work-life balance, as they become the true support system during the hardest moments of entrepreneurship, whereas the business may fail but those relationships should not.
Mário Tarouca · #031 · Mar 6, 2023 · 41:33 →
“Eu ia para cafés com eles, e alguns ficaram tipo, mas o que tu queres falar, nem concorrentes de alojamento local só.”
The guest recommends that entrepreneurs should not hesitate to have open conversations with competitors, as they may discover unexpected synergies and collaboration opportunities that benefit both businesses, even when they appear to be in direct competition.
Mário Tarouca · #030 · Feb 27, 2023 · 32:04 →
“A mentalidade dos founders é completamente diferente e é muito positiva, é muito ambiciosa e é muito de fazer acontecer.”
Rodrigo advises founders to regularly connect with other founders from different startups, sharing challenges and seeking feedback, as this community mindset and mutual support makes a significant difference in the entrepreneurial journey.
Rodrigo Pessoa Jorge · #028 · Jul 25, 2022 · 39:43 →
“Acho que também, a questão do financiamento tem muito a ver com a fase da empresa, o que é que se está a fazer e para quê.”
One should select the financial instrument that fits the company's specific phase and needs rather than rigidly following one model; different startups benefit from different approaches, ranging from never raising capital to raising equity from day one.
Rodrigo Pessoa Jorge · #027 · Jul 18, 2022 · 39:48 →
“Revenue Solves All Problems, é muito básico, old school, mas é a verdade.”
Anthony Douglas advises entrepreneurs to concentrate on generating revenue, since revenue solves all problems, and to stay focused on their business while avoiding distractions that scatter their attention. He maintains that it's essential to have a clear path to profitability and to remember that the numbers don't lie.
Anthony Douglas · #026 · Jul 11, 2022 · 35:45 →
“Quem está a procurar dinheiro, nunca é a tua ideia nem nada, são as pessoas, é a conexão que tens com as pessoas.”
Anthony should prioritize personal connection with investors over polished presentations and metrics, selecting partners who genuinely align with his vision. Additionally, he should remain passionate about his chosen sector, as this passion is the most critical factor for long-term success.
Anthony Douglas · #025 · Jul 4, 2022 · 29:15 →
“Dedicar realmente tempo a crescer a equipa assim que possível, porque acho que é fácil tu entras num globo de ir aprendendo tudo.”
Inês recommends building out your team as early as possible, whether by bringing on a co-founder or assembling a strong team, because it keeps you motivated, unlocks growth through diverse perspectives, and makes running the business more sustainable over the long haul.
“A tua rede é realmente muito importante, diria que a tua rede quase se resolve 99% dos teus problemas.”
A founder should understand that their professional network is their greatest asset and source of value, constantly nurturing relationships and asking for introductions even in the face of rejection, because the network solves most business problems.
Nuno Pinto · #023 · Jun 20, 2022 · 33:34 →
“Não tomamos nenhuma decisão que seja crítica para a empresa ou seja importante, sem o ouvir a ele, e isso demora tempo.”
Nuno advises entrepreneurs not to rush into closing funding and instead invest time refining their pitch by speaking with many investors, carefully selecting a lead investor with maturity who can act as a co-founder and strategic partner, rather than simply taking the first available capital.
Nuno Pinto · #022 · Jun 13, 2022 · 29:57 →
“Não ter medo de arriscar. Ou seja, aquela coisa de sair da zona de conforto, tipo, o mais cedo possível.”
Pedro advises founders to take risks and step out of their comfort zone as early as possible, rather than letting fear or negative feedback hold them back from new opportunities. He also stresses that building a strong network and nurturing personal relationships is critical, since most professional opportunities come through connections and referrals.
Pedro Resende · #021 · Jun 6, 2022 · 46:00 →
“Tens que marcar uma posição um bocado mais forte, tens de mostrar que tu sabes o que estás a fazer.”
A female founder should establish a stronger position when seeking advice or opinions, demonstrating that she knows what she's doing and that she makes the final decisions, avoiding the perception that asking for too much help signals insecurity.
Carolina Amorim · #020 · May 30, 2022 · 21:23 →
“Give First, ou seja, a ideia está sempre a ajudar pessoas e não esperar nada de volta, mas eventualmente vais ter alguma coisa de volta.”
A founder should embrace learning opportunities outside her comfort zone, leveraging resources like Google, accelerator programs, and smart networking to develop unfamiliar skills, and capitalizing on favorable market timing when circumstances align.
Carolina Amorim · #019 · May 23, 2022 · 32:26 →
“Uma pessoa motivada é sempre mais útil do que uma pessoa inteligente.”
A motivated person is always more useful than an intelligent one. One should aggressively filter for collaborators who are naturally happy and positively inclined, as these qualities are more valuable than technical skills and can be developed with good will.
Humberto Ayres Pereira · #018 · May 16, 2022 · 40:48 →
“O importante é dar liberdade a pessoas que estão a fazer coisas boas.”
Humberto Ayres Pereira advises companies to give people the freedom to experiment with different approaches when solving challenges, rather than following a pre-defined list of campaigns, as this allows innovative and provocative ideas to emerge organically.
Humberto Ayres Pereira · #017 · May 9, 2022 · 34:19 →
“Não subestimar o esforço, os recursos e o financiamento que é necessário para que conseguisse fazer as coisas acontecer.”
An entrepreneur should not underestimate the effort, resources, and funding required to make things happen, assuming that all expectations and plans will need to change and remaining receptive to adaptation along the way.
Jorge Oliveira · #016 · May 2, 2022 · 49:14 →
“A vida é demasiado curta para perdermos tempo com coisas que não nos estão a enriquecer.”
Roberto Machado advises young entrepreneurs to close doors faster on projects that aren't enriching them, using their twenties and thirties to take risks, fail, and restart rather than wasting time on situations that don't contribute to their growth.
Roberto Machado · #015 · Apr 25, 2022 · 30:02 →
“Alguém vai ter que tomar algumas decisões, alguém vai ter que arriscar, e é isso que nós também temos vindo a fazer.”
Roberto Machado recommends that when developing complex products, continuous experimentation, research, and user interviews to understand pain points are essential, without waiting for complete information before making decisions. Leadership must be willing to take risks and iterate quickly based on real user feedback, combining qualitative research with market analysis to validate whether the product makes financial sense.
Roberto Machado · #014 · Apr 18, 2022 · 35:51 →
“O teu tempo enquanto empreendedor é muito importante, por isso escolhe bem onde o dedicas e lança o mais de pressa possível.”
An entrepreneur should carefully measure how they invest their time, delegating tasks that can be handed off to others, and should iterate and launch their product as quickly as possible to market to get real user feedback, since no product will ever be perfect without actual market validation.
Fabiana Clemente · #013 · Apr 11, 2022 · 53:23 →
“Levantar dinheiro é muito fácil é uma ilusão que se cria muito neste mercado.”
A founder should not underestimate the time required to close a funding round, as it's common to fall into the illusion that raising money is easy and quick when in reality it takes considerably longer than anticipated, and having a built MVP and compelling metrics to present to investors is essential.
Mário Ribeiro Alves · #012 · Apr 4, 2022 · 31:45 →
“Nós queremos trazer estas perspetivas que podem vir de qualquer parte do mundo, podem vir de qualquer idade e que realmente trazem esta vertente diferente.”
He advises companies to use Hackathons and Hiring Challenges to uncover innovative perspectives that rarely emerge in daily operations, as the methodology delivers multiple solutions from people with diverse backgrounds, ages, and geographies, bringing genuine innovation rather than just marketing or branding.
Mário Ribeiro Alves · #011 · Mar 28, 2022 · 28:44 →
“Construir um produto não só é uma maratona, mas é uma maratona com barreiras.”
Everything takes longer and costs more time than expected, and has far less immediate impact than anticipated. One must manage frustration, embrace continuous iteration, and build resilience to endure the marathon with obstacles that is product building.
André Albuquerque · #010 · Mar 21, 2022 · 1:00:47 →
“Mesmo que tenhas descoberto uma mina de ouro, ainda não estás rico. Tens que escolher os mineiros corretos.”
An entrepreneur should recognize that even with valuable technology, success depends primarily on how they manage people, build company culture, and motivate the team. It's essential to choose the right collaborators, organize them, and provide them with the conditions they deserve, because without this, even the best idea won't translate into real value.
Luís Valente · #009 · Sep 17, 2021 · 51:45 →
“Testem ao máximo os vossos conceitos e tentem obter a validação no mercado.”
João advises entrepreneurs to test their concepts as thoroughly as possible and obtain market validation as quickly as possible, using simple tools like WhatsApp or Instagram before building full interfaces, allowing them to iterate rapidly based on real customer feedback.
João Lopes · #008 · Aug 2, 2021 · 57:19 →
“O mais importante é nós sairmos da nossa zona de conforto... temos que sair, temos que nos expor, temos que ser curiosos.”
Bruno advises young entrepreneurs to step out of their comfort zone, be curious and dig deeper into questions, unafraid to reach out and ask for help, because people will assist when they sense genuine effort and commitment.
Bruno Azevedo · #007 · Jul 19, 2021 · 1:08:05 →
“A equipa é aquilo que é primordial, porque vão ser aquelas pessoas que vão estar conosco desde o início, no limite até ao fim.”
A founder should invest considerable time in the early stage selecting the right co-founders—people who buy into the vision from day one and share the same objectives—since they'll be the ones putting in the invisible 32-hour weeks and will be scrutinized by investors when there's still nothing tangible to demonstrate.
João Pedro Ribeiro · #006 · Jul 2, 2021 · 58:59 →
“Não percam muito tempo a aperfeiçoar um produto que não sabem se as pessoas querem.”
The guest advises not to spend too much time perfecting a product without validating whether people actually want it, instead starting with simple proof-of-concept approaches like landing pages and quick sales tests, learning from users before building a full technological platform.
Hélder Silva · #005 · Jun 18, 2021 · 49:18 →
“A equipa muitas vezes vale muito mais do que o produto, do que o serviço, do que as vendas que tu tivés.”
Pedro emphasizes that choosing the right people and building a cohesive team is fundamental for any entrepreneur, as the team is worth more than the product or sales itself and must be capable of executing the vision. He also recommends learning from others' mistakes and avoiding rushing decisions, since poorly considered choices today can result in much higher costs down the line.
Pedro Lourenço · #004 · Jun 4, 2021 · 41:35 →
“Devemos fazer dez ideias e ter os protótipos das dez ideias para realmente ver se aquilo vale alguma coisa.”
João advises young entrepreneurs not to be afraid of taking risks and to build prototypes of their ideas, as prototypes are essential to validate whether a product is worth pursuing and make it much easier to progress than keeping the idea only in their head.
João Moniz Gomes · #003 · May 21, 2021 · 39:34 →
“Liguem aos conselhos que vos dão. A parte mais importante é criarem uma equipa multidisciplinar.”
Miguel Morgado advises young entrepreneurs to build a multidisciplinary team where each member is an expert in their field, so that one person's knowledge picks up where another's ends, and to value the different perspectives they bring to create richer internal discussions and better outcomes.
Miguel Morgado · #002 · May 7, 2021 · 51:48 →
“Não há uma receita mágica, não existe uma maneira certa de fazer as coisas.”
The founder advises that there is no magic formula for startup success and that finding one's own path is essential. He recommends not being afraid to ask those with experience, building a strong network, and sharing knowledge freely without expecting anything in return. He also suggests not taking negative opinions too seriously, processing feedback independently, and making autonomous decisions—as mistakes are part of growth and the journey toward success.
Frederico Carpinteiro · #001 · Apr 23, 2021 · 41:26 →
Extracted automatically from the end of each transcript, and left in the guest's own words. Quotes are verbatim Portuguese, as spoken. If a piece of advice looks clipped or out of context, the link goes to the exact moment — the recording is always the source.