We'll hustle with you to achieve your vision

Rita Casimiro

Head of Acceleration

Rita leads Maze X, our pan-European impact startup accelerator, where she works side-by-side with our startups to help them live to their highest potential and impact. Previously was a finance analyst at CrossRail in the UK and was also a consultant in Aga Khan Foundation. BSc in Management from Bath University and MSc in Management from NOVA SBE. Master in Finance candidate at Católica Business School. She is a cat-lover, an Excel-wizard and a master connector.

Marta Costa

Programme Manager

Marta is our organisation geek. Her role is both to be the gatekeeper of our accelerator internal processes and to ensure all startups that make it to each cohort of Maze X, our impact accelerator, have the best experience possible. Previously she was Project Manager at Born Ethical and had several international volunteer experiences. BSc in International Relations and Political Science at Nova University and MSc in Management at Lund University. When not organising get-togethers, Marta can be found reading a historical fiction book.

Ângela Silva

Corporate Associate

Ângela is responsible for our corporate engagement and our minimalist in residence. She is passionate about designing simple solutions for complex problems. She was a consultant at KPMG and a product manager at NOS. She thrives in the flourishing territory where technology, business and empathy meet. BsC in Computer Science and Engineering and MsC in Business.

Tomás Vila Luz

Acceleration Analyst

Tomás is our in house mindful-strategist. His role is to find and work alongside the most promising impact startups that make it to Maze X. There are many things you would not guess about Tomás. We will leave you with one: he spent 2 months working in Muhanga (Rwanda) to build a language school from scratch. MsC in Management with Major in Strategy and Consulting while teaching Mathematics at Católica Lisbon University.

Gonçalo Salgado

Inhouse Producer

Gonçalo is our artist-in-residence. An autodidact and explorer at heart, Gonçalo joined MAZE to help us tell the stories of the people we back through an unexpected and authentic perspective. His prefered mediums are graphic design and video. Previously managed brand and design at Forall Phones. BSc in Marketing in ISCTE.

Cristina Almeida

Head of Communications

Cristina is a management consultant turned into storyteller. She was an analyst at EY, seconded at Impact Investment Group in Australia and learned the ins and outs of startups at Mellow. Cristina has created engaging content for +50 entrepreneurs and curated dozens of unforgettable MAZE events for our partners. BsC in Economics from NOVA SBE, BsC in Political Science from ISCSP.

Inês Rilhas

Office Manager

Inês is the glue that keeps it all together. Thanks to her work, the team has everything it needs to perform smoothly. From accounting, IT, managing suppliers, to event production. Inês is a jack of all trades. BSc in Communications and Media Studies at Nova University. When not taking care of the MAZE family, Inês can be found flowing on her skateboard from one ramp to another. Yup, she is that cool.

Nikita Savitskiy

Product Expert

Nikita is an international expert on product management. He is a product manager at uTrust, a company aiming to make cryptocurrency payments simple and safe. Previously he worked at Unbabel. His worldliness led him to grow a passion for teaching entrepreneurs about product, something he does seamlessly. Nikita has +10 years of experience working in results-driven, multicultural environments.

John Chang

Tech Expert

John is the co-founder of SURFnCODE where he is working on sustainable foodtech projects, centered around the belief that when you make "good" things easier, more people will do them and the world will be better off.
John has nearly 20 years of experience in engineering leadership positions at Apple, Skype, Microsoft, as well as various startups. With roots in Indiana, California, Sweden, and Taiwan, John is now based in Portugal. He has held engineering leadership positions at world-class software companies in Silicon Valley and Europe.

Tiago Campos

SEO expert

Tiago Campos is the co-founder of WeCareOn, a marketplace for online psychology, our mission is to democratize access to mental health services. Tiago Campos is a growth expert in the following areas: flywheel, SEO, product marketing Fit, CRO, UX, Email Marketing, inbound and content.

Emily Avila

Communications Expert

Emily is an award-winning communication professional with experience in leadership communications, public speaking, pitch coaching, storytelling, media training, among others. Emily has worked across multiple industry sectors (technology, finance, automotive, etc.), with a particular interest and expertise in health care.

António Miguel

Managing Partner

António has been working in impact investment for +10 years in the UK, Canada and Continental Europe. He worked on deals that have mobilized over 200M€ into impact ventures. He founded MAZE and previously was an Associate at Social Finance UK. Antonio is a Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum and visiting professor of Impact Investment at NOVA SBE. Holds an MsC in Business Administration from Católica Business School.

Luis Fonseca

Partner in Residence

Luis is a management and strategy consultant turned into impact entrepreneur. He was an Associate at McKinsey & Co where he advised multinationals from various industries and a Marketing Manager at Procter & Gamble in Geneva. As an entrepreneur, his impact venture had a go at hacking the babysitting industry by providing working mums with more flexible children care services. MBA from INSEAD and MsC in Marketing from ESADE.

Humberto Pereira

Entrepreneur in Residence

DashDash

Humberto Pereira is the founder and CEO of DashDash, the easiest way to access online services and build automated applications using the spreadsheet skills you already have. Humberto is an experienced entrepreneur backed by Accel (investors in Spotify and Facebook). Cherry Ventures, and has an MBA in Harvard University.

Valérie Konde

Entrepreneur in Residence

Collectionar.com

Valerie Konde is the cofounder and CEO of Collectionair.com, an online destination for entry-level art collectors looking for quality art under $5000. With an entrepreneurial spirit (and an Insead MBA to support) she left her job at Google to follow a passion closer to her heart, bringing art from emerging scenes to screens near customers. Previously, Valerie worked in investment banking at Societe Generale and in venture development at Rocket Internet in Middle East and Africa. 

Francisco Fonseca

Entrepreneur in Residence

BitSight

Francisco is the co-founder of AnubisNetworks (acquired in 2014 by BitSight, a Boston-based CyberSecurity company) while also leading BitSight’s Brazilian and Iberia markets. Previously founded Crashless, a company specializing in complex Microsoft-based services (acquired in 2008 by Claranet). Was Vice President of the Portuguese Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ANJE) and taught at Nova University. Holds a degree in Management and Computer Science and AMP from Kellogg / Catholic University.

Andrew Chen

Entrepreneur in Residence

Zwaty Corp

Experienced entrepreneur/start-up guy. Loves to learn and to build large business. Founded Fogdog Sports in 1995, raised $70M+ in venture financing, resulting in an IPO in 1999 (FOGD). Founded PowerReviews in 2005, raised $36M in venture financing, resulting in an acquisition for $170M in 2012.