The Tech Waves recap, inside JuniFEUP and the new Spots.
Splash with us in our tech waves recap, learn about the mighty JuniFEUP and find new places to work in.
Hello everyone,
Tech Waves was an absolute hit – and yes, we’ve got the videos to prove it.
We’ll also recommend two new work-friendly spots in Porto and a peek into the rising talent powerhouse that is JuniFEUP.
Let’s go!
Tech Waves Recap
From entrepreneurs to investors, from students to startups, we had it all!
We asked ourselves, how can we give more visibility to our tech scene?
People know there’s cool stuff happening, but not always what or who’s behind it.
Our idea?
Let’s go to the beach with the folks actually building the future.
And that’s how Tech Waves was born.
A podcast-meets-hangout, recorded right next to the ocean, at one of Portugal’s most iconic spots: Piscinas das Marés. From there, it just took off. Founders showed up. Startups brought their stories. Investors and students connected.
It was incredible.
It was one of those rare moments where everyone, from early-stage builders to big ecosystem players, got in the same space and talked. The kind of stuff that helps ideas spread and create new connections. It felt pretty special to us.
FoundersTales recorded a live podcast with each company, and we got to hear what problems they’re solving and why they care. It was a small move, but we know it had a big impact on our ecosystem, because we proved we can create unique experiences, showcase the talent around us, and bring people together.
Big shoutout to Câmara Municipal de Matosinhos for backing the vision, to all our sponsors, and to the community that keeps showing up and selling out every single event. You’re the reason this works.
Full recap, videos, and behind-the-scenes are live now on the Tech Waves page.
Simon’s Places
Work‑Friendly spots in Porto recommendations by simao
I’ve been working in startups and tech for a while, and since relocating to Porto last year, I’ve found a handful of great spots to break up the routine and stay connected with others in the ecosystem. Whether you're kicking off a new project, debugging, writing, or catching up on email, here are five quiet, Wi‑Fi‑powered spots in Porto for productive hours and good vibes.
Veganada
Vegan food & zoom calls
📍 Rua da Torrinha 153, Porto 🕒 Monday to Friday: 10h00 – 19h00 🔗 Instagram
A cozy, plant-based café with free Wi‑Fi and a focused work zone. Expect soups, salads, toasts, and the best vegan cheesecake in town. Bonus: they have designated spaces for calls and cultural events from time to time. Great for focused work or calls.
Mesa 325
Great coffee & pet-friendly
📍 Av. de Camilo 325, Porto 🕒 Monday to Friday: 8h30 – 17h00 🔗 Instagram
Laptop‑friendly café serving specialty coffee brews in Bonfim. With plenty of outlets and a welcoming atmosphere (pets included!), it’s a nice place to settle in the morning or early afternoon. Great for focused work.
Inside JuniFEUP
Back in September 2021, I got to know JuniFEUP.
JuniFEUP is the Junior Enterprise from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto. It offers IT Consulting, Management Consulting and Product Development services, but with one fascinating twist: it is entirely student-led.
I joined back in October 2022, while still a second-year Informatics Engineering BSc student. Interestingly, I chose a department that might seem unorthodox at first: Human Resources. But I wanted to understand how to manage (what I believe to be) the most valuable asset in any organization: people.
Very quickly, JuniFEUP became my main priority (and my BSc became more like a part-time job). I seized every opportunity as if it were the last, going from trainee to Project Manager, then to Department Director. Now, almost three years later, having completed my path at JuniFEUP at the beginning of this month, I can confidently say that JuniFEUP has shaped me in ways I never expected.
Of course, with all those experiences came plenty of lessons that made me a better person and professional. In this article, I want to share four lessons learned that have stayed with me throughout my journey at JuniFEUP. Lessons that go far beyond the context of a student organization and that I believe will stick with me for a long time.
Murphy’s law is real.
Murphy’s Law essentially states that if something can go wrong, it will eventually happen. And in these cases, it does happen (trust me, it happens a lot). Whether it is a delayed client reply the night before a deadline, a projector not working five minutes before a major presentation or an event going off-script, things go wrong. Often.
JuniFEUP taught me that this is the sign of real-life stuff. And the sooner you embrace that, the better you become at adapting (best soft skill for any person, in my opinion). It’s as important to stay calm under pressure as it is to help your team in developing the same mindset. They must learn how to anticipate risks, avoid leaving loose ends and figure things out on the fly when things don’t go as planned.
Perfect conditions are rare. What matters is how you react when things don’t go according to plan (it will happen, don’t fight it). You do not need a perfect plan A, but a plan B (and probably a plan C).
You get what you give.
This is something we say a lot inside JuniFEUP: “The more you give to JuniFEUP, the more it gives back to you.” And while it might sound like a cliché, it couldn’t be more true. Not just here, but in any fast-paced, high-growth environment.
The more you show up, push yourself and put your name on the table, the more you’ll grow. From what I experienced, the people who actively seek challenges are the ones who build the strongest networks, get the most feedback (whether positive or brutally honest) and accelerate their personal development.
Of course, there’s a limit; everyone has their threshold. But when you find your balance and decide to lean in, the compounding effect of drive and curiosity is unbelievable.
Associativism shouldn’t be the exception, but the norm.
In countries like the UK or the US, being part of student-led societies is often seen as a core part of one’s academic and professional development. It’s taken seriously. Students who get involved in these communities are seen as doers - people who take ownership, build things from scratch and learn by doing. It’s not just “a nice extracurricular to enhance the resume”. It’s a signal of initiative, leadership and drive.
That mindset needs to become more widespread. In Portugal, and in many other countries, associativism is still often seen as something secondary and optional. The truth is, the real world doesn’t operate on theory alone. It rewards people who can navigate teams, manage time, deal with uncertainty and take responsibility. Exactly what you learn when you're part of something like JuniFEUP.
The earlier you get exposed to this, the more prepared you are later. And, honestly, no course, no internship, no textbook (or nowadays, PPT/PDF) can replicate the kind of growth that happens when you’re thrown into a project with real stakes, real people and real impact, while being a student. At least, that’s what happened with me and every single person I met.
That’s why I believe associativism isn’t just valuable. It’s essential.
The finest steel has to go through the hottest fire.
People who go through experiences like JuniFEUP are often miles ahead in terms of personal and professional maturity. They have managed real clients, led teams and juggled priorities. They have learned how to think critically, how to give and receive feedback, and how to fail and bounce back.
Most importantly, they have learned how to build. That’s why I believe these people are some of the most prepared ones to enter the job market (not someday, now). That’s why I believe the Portuguese Junior Movement is one of the best ecosystems to find exceptional talent.
Whether you’re a founder or just looking for someone to build with - this is the place to look. The best people I’ve worked with, I met there. Driven, sharp and humble - exactly the type you want beside or just around you. Because they’ve been through the fire; and they came out even stronger.
All in all, I think associativism gave me farther than I expected. It taught me how to adapt when things go wrong, how real responsibility makes for real learning and how these experiences can accelerate one’s growth at a ridiculous pace. Beyond that, these environments are where confidence is built, leadership is tested and exceptional people come together. For students, it’s a fast track to maturity and impact. For companies and founders, it’s a goldmine of talent.
Associativism (particularly JuniFEUP) didn’t just prepare me for the real world. In many ways, it was the real world. And I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.