Currently trying to change the world with Bundlr.
A more recent personal project has been a new blog called Coimbriefing. I use it to share quick updates about the Coimbra startup scene (in Portuguese only), to keep the community and my close network informed of what is happening.
Fell free to follow it and send new tips my way.
12th May 2013
Notes: 1
In the last months, we’ve done some projects outside Bundlr. One of those was just released: Androplr, an Android app for the popular sharing service Droplr.
We worked together with Michael Hart and it was a great project to brush up our Android skills. If you’re a Droplr user with an Android, give it a try. If you’re not using Droplr, you’re missing out on a really useful tool.
My first Barcamp, back in 2006, was sort of life changing. So, I’m very excited to help organize another edition, here in Coimbra.
It’s already this weekend. Join us.
This weekend, me and some fine gentleman/women will be teaching Rails, on an event called Rails Girls. It’s a great initiative. Know more at:
When you understand what each UI element in your product means to your customer’s life, you’ll understand how to sell it better. What your product is and the way it is sold are completely symbiotic. And both depend on detailed understanding.
This realization is both simple and beautiful.
"After having to learn a bit of Android development for a consulting job, I’m releasing my first app.
Caderno is a minimal notepad for Android. I couldn’t find the most basic note taking app on the Android marked, so I started building one myself. Take a look at caderno.sergiosantos.info
…or just get it straight from the Android Market.
Find and engage great mentors by David Cohen
I usually talk about how finding good mentors is hard, specially in a place without a big startup background. We’re already have some important companies created in Coimbra, but I haven’t seen their founders giving back to the community and making a difference. Probably, is still too soon for that, but it’s an important step on building a startup ecossystem.
I helped organize a weekend workathon called Improve Coimbra. The goal was to come up with concrete solutions for some of the city problems in just two days.
You can see here the results: Improve Coimbra #1 (in Portuguese).
I teamed up with Tiago Serra to build UrbanFlow, a simple Android app and server to spot the city buses position. The goal is to crowdsource the data gathering, release more accurate timetables and distribute the data openly. If you live in Coimbra, give us an hand ;)
Me and couple of friends are bringing the Beta Talks to Coimbra. They’re informal conversations with two guests and a moderator, happening on the 16th of each month, on several cities across the country. Each time, we’ll pair someone who started their own company with an investor.
The first one is already this Tuesday. Know more about it and join us
Before, in Portugal, everybody complained no one wanted to startup their own company. Now everybody complains entrepreneurship is being oversold.
I agree that there are people taking advantage of the recent wave to make a quick buck. But that happens all the time with any sort of hype. And everywhere, not just in Portugal.
I do believe that in order to have a couple of great startups, we will need to have a lot of startups. And the same goes for mentors, investors incubators, accelerator programs…
What I do notice is a subtle but important difference. I regularly speak with graduate students about my experience of starting Bundlr. Before, they wouldn’t even consider opening a company as a possibility after finishing their degree. It would just be research or working for a bigger company.
Now, they consider turning an idea into a company a possible career path. They’re not all running to start their own companies, like some overstate. Just a small percentage, but bigger than before.
So, the next time you feel like bashing another entrepreneurship event, try helping the ones you believe are doing a good job at helping improve the ecosystem. Help them rise above the noise. I know I will.
