Luís Silva: ‘By investing in knowledge, we’re investing in leadership and evolution, placing ourselves at the forefront of digital transformation.’
Luís Silva, president of Porto Tech Hub, spoke about the importance of companies considering digital transformation, taking the opportunity to explain IoT in an interview with RHmagazine.
What is Porto Tech Hub’s mission?
Porto Tech Hub was set up in 2015 precisely to promote Porto as a center of technological excellence and innovation, both nationally and internationally, by creating and promoting an atmosphere conducive to growth. For nine years, the non-profit organization has been committed, in partnership with Porto City Council, to boosting the city’s technological ecosystem, which can be seen in the strengthening of Porto’s entrepreneurial fabric. For this reason, we believe that our mission has been fulfilled.
We also invest heavily in professional training, facilitate networking, encourage knowledge sharing and offer support to member companies on various fronts. With initiatives such as the Porto Tech Hub Conference and training programmes like the SWitCH courses, we have actively contributed to boosting the sector and teaching and integrating highly qualified talent into the job market, positively impacting employability in the region’s technology market.
The continuous growth marked by 40 member companies not only strengthens local businesses, but also makes the city more attractive to international organizations wishing to enter the Portuguese market. In this way, we continue to expand Porto’s ecosystem, fulfilling our goal of boosting the city’s development and recognition as a technological hub of reference.
What were the reasons for choosing Porto as the place to become a global center of technological excellence?
Porto offers a unique set of conditions – from a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem to a welcoming and business-friendly environment – that make it the ideal place to establish itself as a global center of technological excellence. We have our arms open to innovation, with the city’s tech ecosystem expected to grow by 53 percent between 2019 and 2021, according to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2024.
Added to these figures is the fact that the city has the largest number of start-ups in the country, which is attractive not only to local entrepreneurs, but also to international companies, contributing to greater diversity and dynamism in Porto’s tech scene.
The reputation of Porto’s educational institutions, which train dozens of new technology professionals every year, offers a solid base of qualified talent. Naturally, this is a decisive factor for companies looking for specialized talent bases, increasing their confidence in establishing themselves in the city, which in turn attracts even more professionals who choose to settle here and build a life.
In addition, the city’s business-friendly environment should also be emphasized, as it facilitates the entry and integration of technology companies, providing easy access to political agents and support associations, such as Porto Tech Hub, which acts as a facilitator for the technology market. I must also highlight the hospitality of the people of Porto as a key factor in creating a welcoming and favorable environment for entrepreneurship.
How important is it for companies to use IoT, that is, the Internet of Things?
The Internet of Things refers to smart devices that have a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection and are equipped with sensors that capture real-time data from the surrounding environment. By analyzing this data, companies can keep up with the latest market trends, foster growth and even make more informed decisions about their business strategies.
IoT is therefore an excellent tool for boosting business and optimizing processes. By implementing this technology and hiring and/or training professionals in this area of innovation, organizations optimize operational efficiency and the customer experience and innovate their business models, which gives them a competitive edge.
What are the biggest challenges when investing in IoT?
The biggest challenges when investing in IoT involve issues of security, interoperability, costs and scalability, but there are practical solutions for each of them. Security and privacy are central concerns, as IoT devices are vulnerable to cybersecurity issues, so the solution is to invest in robust encryption, secure authentication and security practices.
Although the complexity of this implementation can be seen as an obstacle, with detailed planning and the hiring of IoT specialists to support integration, the issue is easily managed. These specialists are also up-to-date on the law, so they implement compliance practices from the moment the systems and devices are implemented, which is an important factor in avoiding legal problems.
Although investing in this innovation presents some challenges, the solution lies in addressing them with strategic and well-planned solutions, turning obstacles into opportunities for growth and innovation, with the help of professional training and capacity building in IoT.
What is the role of training in the context of digital transformation?
Learning cultivates strategic thinking and leadership, while giving professionals and organizations the tools to keep up with the technological sector, characterized by successive advances, transformations and updates.
Digital transformation is a new reality for organizations, requiring a process of adaptation, new business growth models and the adoption of innovation and technology, with a view to increasing productivity and competitiveness. In this context, technological education holds the key to keeping up with progress. By investing in training, we are investing in more resilient and innovative professionals, with tools such as data analysis, programming, cybersecurity and the Internet of Things. By investing in knowledge, we are investing in leadership and evolution, placing ourselves at the forefront of digital transformation.
To what extent does the development of IoT enhance the digital transformation of businesses?
IoT not only accelerates digital transformation, but also redefines it, allowing companies to become more efficient, with real-time responses and a more customer-centered perspective. As technology continues to evolve, IoT’s impact on business is expected to keep pace.
There are several dimensions that benefit from the IoT: the collection of real-time data, which provides information on operational performance, customer behavior and market trends; the automation of operational processes, which improves efficiency, minimizes errors and reduces operating costs; the personalized customer experience, product and service innovation, the implementation of preventive maintenance and increased safety.
What’s more, the Internet of Things can be integrated with other technologies, such as artificial intelligence and big data, which further enhances and facilitates digital transformation through deeper analyzes that can guide organizations’ strategic vision.
What are the advantages of creating the SWitCH IoT postgraduate programme in partnership with Santander?
The SWitCH IoT postgraduate programme, in partnership with Santander, has a particular feature that sets it apart from other SWitCH courses. The previous courses focus on professional retraining with a view to integration into the technology sector, while SWiTCH IoT is aimed at professionals who are already integrated into the labor market. As such, this specialization focuses on improving skills and consolidating knowledge, with the aim of responding to companies’ needs.
We present SWiTCH IoT, a course that focuses on the development of systems and devices capable of gathering and transmitting data and connected to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, such as smart TVs, smart homes, smartwatches, drones and smart cities, given the need for IoT specialists that organizations are experiencing.
The partnership with Santander stems from Porto Tech Hub’s aim to facilitate access to technological education, since we believe that knowledge and continuous training are crucial to the development of professionals in the sector.
What are Porto Tech Hub’s prospects for the future of technological training, and what impact do you hope these initiatives will have on consolidating the city of Porto as a technological center of excellence?
The technology sector is undoubtedly very dynamic and evolving. That’s why these professionals need to invest in continuing education and training throughout their careers. Because we understand the importance of keeping up with trends and fostering knowledge for the technology sector, we have been implementing these initiatives in partnership with the Porto Higher Engineering Institute (ISEP).
SWitCH courses already have a significant impact, as they have trained more than 400 students, with an employability rate of 98 percent. This commitment to training cultivates the progress of specialists, companies and the sector as a whole.
The focus on education has not only been beneficial in boosting local talent, but also in attracting students who choose Porto as their home, increasing our talent pool. As a result, more and more companies are choosing Invicta to set up and develop their businesses. These initiatives are reflected throughout the value chain, and this method has helped to decentralize technology and consolidate Porto as a home for innovation and a technological center of excellence at an international level.
