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 Diogo Rendeiro, a former DEI student, 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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Diogo Rendeiro, student number 53836, enrolled at Instituto Superior Técnico in 2003, studying Computer Science and Computer Engineering.

Throughout his professional journey, Diogo built an international career in product management in startups, working at technology companies with Portuguese DNA and global reach such as Feedzai and OutSystems.

He currently divides his time between Lisbon and Barcelona, leading the development of Artificial Intelligence products and coordinating an advanced training program in Product Management at the CMU Portugal Academy.

• Why Técnico?

I have always enjoyed playing with Lego. As a child, I would spend hours assembling and dismantling structures, testing combinations, and figuring out how things worked. At school, that curiosity extended into mathematics and physics, subjects where I felt comfortable and motivated. Pursuing engineering became a natural choice.

Instituto Superior Técnico was immediately my first option. I already knew the institute because of its strong reputation and because my uncle had graduated in Chemical Engineering from Técnico. Later, this choice was repeated in the family, with my brother and cousins also pursuing different programs at Técnico.

• What do you value most from your time at Técnico, in or outside the classroom?

Above all, I take with me the value of persistence. I learned that difficult problems are rarely solved on the first attempt and that progress depends on method and continuous work.

Over time, that foundation translated into confidence when working in situations of uncertainty and ambiguity. Técnico prepares us to deal with poorly defined problems and to maintain discipline when there is no obvious path. This preparation stayed with me far beyond my classes and continues to be essential when facing new challenges.

• What is your favorite place at Técnico and why?

My favorite place is the “Aquário”, one of Técnico’s most iconic study spaces, known for its glass façades facing outward and its abundance of natural light.

It is a place where students from different programs cross paths, and it was there that I prepared many projects and exam seasons.

• During your time at Técnico, did you have any inspiring figure? Who and why?

Several. I especially remember Professor Paulo Almeida, who taught the theoretical lectures of Linear Algebra. At first glance, he appeared to be a reserved figure, with a neatly kept white beard. But when he began talking about mathematics, everything changed. His lectures had a very particular rhythm and cadence, with humor mixed in.

The professor could transform something seemingly trivial like matrix multiplication into an engaging and fun moment. They were classes that lifted our spirits right at 8 in the morning.

Today, that memory also remains as an example of the importance of communicating well.

• What was the most difficult decision you ever had to make?

Changing careers and emigrating. In 2013, I moved to Berlin to join Zalando, then a startup selling shoes online. It was a risky bet: a new country, a language I did not master, and my first product management role in a fast-growing technology company.

The reward was proportional. I experienced the company’s evolution up close before and after its IPO and participated in its transformation into a European reference. I learned a lot and built strong professional connections and friendships during that period.

• What have been the major challenges of your career?

The biggest challenge has been discovering and consolidating my leadership style. The transition to management roles forced me to change the way I work. I learned to balance responsibility for results with the need to adapt my approach to different people, creating the conditions for them to succeed.

Today, my most relevant contribution is not solving specific problems, but ensuring that the team understands which problems are the most important to solve and why.

• Can you tell us a bit about the work you are currently developing?

Currently, I work on developing Artificial Intelligence products for prospecting and sales teams. The goal is to help them identify the right contacts and approach each person at the right time with more relevant messages.

In practice, this translates into more qualified conversations, more scheduled meetings, and better commercial results.

• What does a typical day look like for you now?

A large part of my day is spent talking to people: meetings with the team to track projects and metrics, conversations with customers to understand how they use the product, and alignment meetings with marketing, sales, and customer success teams.

There is also time dedicated to studying the market, structuring decisions, and preparing documents that help teams align priorities and clarify direction.

• What makes you proud to be a Técnico alumnus?

The quality of the education and what it represents. Having studied at Técnico is a sign of rigor, method, and the ability to deal with demanding problems.

Today, when I interact with Técnico alumni, I know I am dealing with people with solid foundations, used to thinking deeply and tackling complex challenges without shortcuts.

• What advice would you give to current students?

Take advantage of all the learning opportunities Técnico offers. This includes doubt-clearing sessions, exam reviews, and even going to the second exam season to retake an exam for a course you have already passed but feel you could do better.

Knowing how to use all available resources, and knowing when to ask for help, makes all the difference, both during your degree and throughout your professional journey.

(original image: Diogo Rendeiro)