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Two days only, so many memories.

I came to Luxembourg to pitch Actif at Luxembourg Venture Days, where I met several people in the ecosystem. But I’ve learn (the worst way possible) how sad it is to travel to a city for work and never actually visit it.

This time it had to be different. I visited Mudam – Modern Art Museum, an amazing building constructed in an old fort, walked through the city center and stopped at the museum of art history. I could never guess before entering there was an exhibition of “25 de Abril”, one of the most important moments in history for me, as well as the exhibition of Alfredo Cunha, the photographer that captured the most impressive pictures of this moment. As this was not a happy coincidence enough, he was there. Standing in front of me. Speaking to what I assume to be a journalist telling everything about the moments he captured in his 50 years of career. I followed them in disguise and had a private (sneaky) tour with the artist himself! In Portuguese!

Somethings are definitely better when not planned.

I must confess, I didn’t have much expectations about Luxembourg, but in only 2 days it conquered me. The amount of culture, the free public transports and at every cornor there is a person speaking portuguese. I felt at home.

Grateful for the Opportunity to Support New Entrepreneurs at Founder Institute Portugal!

I’m honored to contribute as a mentor at Founder Institute Portugal, the world’s largest pre-seed startup accelerator.

This program has already helped over 7,500 startups raise more than $1.85B globally, and now it’s back in Portugal to support ambitious founders with the structure, mentorship, and network they need to launch and grow their businesses.

I’m excited to share insights and help founders navigate the challenges of building a startup. Thanks for the invitation, and I’m looking forward to meeting new entrepreneurs on this journey!

If you’re looking to build a high-impact startup, this may be a program for you. With expert guidance, valuable connections, and secure funding opportunities. Learn more & apply here: fi.co/portugal

Last week was my 30th birthday.

Science says we start aging when we reach 30 years old. I’ve been stating this at every talk I did, but I wasn’t there yet. I feel this fact is crucially important. We must realize we need to prepare for our aging process way before we are 65-yo. If we do sports for our whole life we will continue doing so after 65. If we eat healthy. If we drink water… and so many other habits that are crucial to age healthily.

During this year I’ve listened to all my friends freaking out about turning 30 and all my connections will think “just wait until you are 40, 50, 60…” or “I wish I was 30 again”… but honestly I am not worried at all about getting old. Quite the opposite.

Thinking that I am building my second startup, I bought my first house, I traveled immensely and met incredible people in this time… I couldn’t be more grateful for all that happened in my life. And most importantly I couldn’t be more excited about everything that is coming!

I am extremely excited about my next years and decades.
I can’t wait to be old.

Today we mark the beginning of World Alzheimer’s month.

My biggest fear in the last years has been to develop Alzheimer. Not because I am afraid of forgetting things, not because I will forget people around me, not because I will not remember what I had for lunch yesterday… But because I am afraid people will not see me as a person anymore.

I saw how society in general spoke about my grandmother like she was not in the room, like she would not have feelings anymore, like she didn’t exist.
As this was not enough already, there are people constrained to their chairs and beds all day, just because some people assume people living with dementia “are aggressive”, “will run away” and “will hurt themselves”. Honestly, I still don’t know how it is possible that constraining people is not considered a crime. Have you imagined not being able to move and get out of your chair? What kind of human beings are we?

We have so much to evolve as society and this evolution passes only by treating every person like a person. Sounds basic right? How difficult can it be then?

In a mix of feelings between sadness, frustration and anger, I am still optimistic and sure we will improve.

I spent last week in Vienna, Austria with EIT Health program Attract to Invest.

Me and more 14 startup fellows were lucky to participate in the Fundraising Bootcamp, an increadible program organized by Francois Mazoudier and Marcela Donatello.

This week was special. Not only because I love to learn new things and meet new people, but also because it was my 29th birthday.

I would never imagined that being away with strangers would be so memorable. I was honored to have people singing Happy birthday in 10 different languages and even got flowers! I will never forget it.

Thank you all for teaching me, sharing with me and being part of this journey.