Técnico Alumni is a platform that allows former students of Instituto Superior Técnico to reconnect, relive, and reminisce their time at Técnico through access to a network of contacts with other Alumni. It is within the context of this platform’s activities that this interview with Hugo Duarte, a former student of DEI (Department of Computer Science and Engineering), originally took place, and is now being republished in full.  

To learn more about Técnico Alumni and join the network, click HERE.

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Hugo Duarte da Fonseca is an entrepreneur and manager with over 25 years of experience in the information technology field. He is currently the Managing Partner at Devlop (a spin-off from Técnico), a software engineering company that has been helping to digitize the transportation and logistics (supply chain) industry, with 3 offices and around 50 employees in Portugal. Hugo began his academic journey in Computer Science and Engineering at Técnico, which provided him with valuable lessons that shaped his professional path.

In addition to his role at Devlop, Hugo is also one of the LPs at Shilling (Founders Fund) and is involved in the newly created AngelsWay. As an investor, he has supported and invested in innovative startups such as CargoFive and Meight. His academic background includes an ongoing Blue MBA at the Copenhagen Business School and a Master’s in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Nova School of Business and Economics (Nova SBE) Hugo has stood out for his ability to create value both for his employees and clients. Under his leadership, Devlop has experienced sustainable growth, following a strategic plan that combines organic growth and acquisitions. Recently, the company acquired two other tech firms, increasing its client portfolio and business volume.

• Why Técnico?

Because it's the best engineering school in the country and is recognized as such for its quality and high standards.

• Can you tell us a bit about your studies at Técnico?

I preferred the “hands-on” part over the theoretical/formal component.

• What was it like studying at Técnico?

It was impactful. At one of our class dinners (we recently celebrated 25 years), many shared that, years later, they still dreamed that they hadn’t finished the course or still had classes to complete.

• What do you carry with you most from your time at Técnico, in or outside of classes?

The group projects in the “basement” of the LEIC pavilion, and the weeks we all spent working together until the projects were delivered. I believe the mindset we got from that experience was that we can always solve problems and overcome challenges. The real School of Engineering: learning by doing and working as a team.

• What was the best part of your degree? And the most challenging?

The most challenging part, in the end, was finishing the degree because I was already working and developing my first company with a high school classmate who was also my university colleague. We were co-founders of that company for the first 10 years, and later we founded a second company.

• Were you involved in any extracurricular activities?

I always played a lot of sports, and Técnico was great for that. I did swimming, played in football tournaments (I was a federated athlete in my youth), and took part in the start/genesis of Técnico’s Surf Club, founded by Stephan de Moraes. I competed in championships and knew all the students from different degrees who also surfed. There was a great vibe near the copy room in front of the 5-a-side football field.

• At Técnico, was there any inspirational figure? Who and why?

In the Computer Science and Engineering degree (LEIC), we had several, some have recently retired. Among them, Professor José Tribolet, Professor João Pavão Martins, Professor Ernesto Morgado (I studied Artificial Intelligence, and these professors were founders of this field), and Professor Caldas Pinto, who supervised my thesis (which I ended up doing alone) and was incredibly supportive.

• What’s your best memory from Técnico?

My classmates and the bonds we built during that period. After graduation, within LEIC, we had a smaller group called the "Tarecos" that we kept going for quite some time. We met regularly.

• Can you tell us a bit about the start of your professional journey?

It was challenging because we were developing a new product/software from scratch related to shipping/supply chain, before the current wave of entrepreneurship and even before the Internet boom, just before the 2000 crash. At the time, no one talked about entrepreneurship, but that’s what we did for several years: analyzing, developing, implementing, providing support, and traveling to countries where we exported our technology. A lot of work and a lot of passion for what we were doing, with a great deal of responsibility from early on. The system was critical for our clients, managing their entire operation: commercial, operational, and financial areas. It allowed us to travel frequently to the Netherlands, the UK, Spain, and other countries based on what we were building in Portugal. For the first few years, it was just the two of us, classmates from Técnico and a lot of drive. We're still a Técnico spin-off, 25 years and several acquisitions later.

• What was the hardest decision you ever had to make?

Buying out the shares of the original partners and taking full ownership of the first company after 11 years since the project started.

• What are your plans for the future?

To keep “doing” and engaging in projects where I can contribute. Lately, I’ve been involved in Mergers and Acquisitions (M\&A), investing in tech startups, innovation, and R\&D projects, all connected to the supply chain. We are part of a mobilizing agenda with the Port of Sines, Agenda Nexus, we’ve invested in Shilling VC (a Portuguese venture capital firm), in the newly created Angels Way investment community, and we support and invest in CargoFive and Meight, two Portuguese startups. I continue to study and learn, currently finishing the Blue MBA in Copenhagen.

• What makes you proud to be a Técnico alumnus?

Still being part of this "family" and proud of this school of "knowledge" and its social role, with the same level of recognition and high standards it is known for. Técnico must continue to attract the best talent and help students find their path, inside and outside of the school.

• What are you most proud of in your life?

Family, along with the "foundations" that include school and friends, play an essential role. Understanding that education can be a powerful social elevator is key — with effort and determination, great achievements are possible. It’s also important to set that example, passing on discipline, values, and a strong work ethic to those around us, inspiring them to pursue their goals as well.