The series of interventions by Técnico alumni kicked off this Thursday, December 3, on the virtual stages of the Web Summit, with Cristina Fonseca being the first to speak in an interview conducted by Filipe Avillez, captivating the audience on the Portugal channel. The size of the Portuguese market, which prompts the development of a global strategy from the very first day of a startup, along with national talent, are two factors that, according to the co-founder of Talkdesk, justify the existence of three unicorns with Portuguese roots. This was the starting point of a conversation that remained engaging from the very first minute. “Regarding Portugal and the tech sector, I would say we have a lot of talent, which is essential and one of the key elements to creating successful tech companies,” said Cristina Fonseca, co-founder and partner at the venture capital firm Indico Capital Partners.

The importance of having good investors, the shift in the Portuguese mindset toward entrepreneurship, and the role the tech summit has played in this transformation were some of the topics addressed by the Talkdesk co-founder. “Ten years ago, in Portugal, no one understood what an entrepreneur was, but that has changed a lot, and without a doubt, the Web Summit has contributed to that,” said the alumna, who argued that “in the coming years, the greatest opportunities will be in Europe.” “Although some of these successful companies were created in the U.S. or are based there, many were founded by Europeans, and most of these founders are now returning to Europe and settling here. They now know how the game works, what is needed, they have the networks, and they know how to raise investment,” Cristina Fonseca pointed out.

Confessing that she hadn’t expected to become an investor so early in her career, and admitting that “I thought I had many more years ahead of me and that maybe I should create another company,” Cristina Fonseca acknowledged that at a certain point she realized she could also play an impactful role on the investor side. “We created the first professional and independent fund in Portugal. For entrepreneurs, having access to Portuguese capital can make a difference,” she stated. “At the same time, as an entrepreneur, I enjoy spending time with founders who are smart, ambitious, and believe they’ve found cutting-edge solutions to big problems,” she said with a smile that confirmed just that.

After explaining how investment returns must be managed to truly be worthwhile, it was time for the former student to share her optimistic view on how to navigate the looming crisis by creating business opportunities. “I think, as of today, there are so many problems that technology is solving, and there are so many opportunities to explore. Our lives are fundamentally changing—the way we go to school, the way we consume content, the way we work. All these sectors are being fundamentally transformed. So, I think crisis times can be a great time to start a company,” she emphasized. “Just look around, think about the problems that are still unsolved,” she added.

When the journalist prompted her to give advice to those who want to follow in her footsteps, Cristina Fonseca did not hesitate to highlight how “rewarding” the world of entrepreneurship is, allowing her to meet amazing people and enjoy the “pleasure of choosing who you want to work with.” “The team is the most important thing,” she stressed, also highlighting the importance of finding the “right investors.” “Founders cannot just accept the first money that comes their way. That’s one of the biggest mistakes they can make: having the wrong partners on board,” she emphasized.

Recalling the lesson that led her to step away from the day-to-day operations of Talkdesk, the entrepreneur ended by emphasizing the importance of having a balanced life and taking care of ourselves.

In addition to this moment, event participants certainly also encountered the charm of this Técnico alumna as a judge of the final pitch competition for startups competing for the Web Summit’s grand prize.