Luís Fernandes, with a degree in Informatics from the Portucalense University, found his first job at Galp, where he worked as an analyst and programmer. In 2014, he founded Decskill, a technology company that is already a part of “Inc. 5000 Europe “, the North American ranking that selects the fastest growing private companies in Europe.

Comunica UPT: When did you decide to create your own company?
Over the years, I had carried out roles in a diverse set of activity sectors, in large companies such as Galp, Sonae, EDS or Portugal Telecom. My responsibilities had grown to managerial functions, which allowed me to acquire a vast network of knowledge, at the level of the decision makers, the influencers, and the business value chain of different sectors of activity. By 2014, I felt I had reached the top of my career as an employee, and it was time to challenge myself.

What is your assessment of Decskill’s path?
Decskill has an evolutionary path. In 2014, we conquered the first large customer in the area of IT outsourcing, we launched products based on augmented reality technology and computer vision, and we presented a service offering in the area of modern agile. A year later, we expanded our customer base and focused on the sectors with the highest demand for outsourcing services and with low credit risk. In 2015, we consolidated our presence with our main customers and extended our customer base, both in the domestic market and the foreign one. In 2016, we continued our strategy to affirm ourselves as a specialist outsourcing company and established Decskill Spain, with the aim of strengthening our presence in the Spanish market. This year, the company should reach a turnover close to 8 million euros.

In what areas does the company stand out?
Decskill has excelled in the telecom, banking and utilities sectors and in geographies such as Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

What was the most important moment in the life of the company and why?
The execution of the agreement to acquire 100 per cent of the company’s capital was an important moment. The governance model has disrupted with the recent past, resulting in a rapid growth of the organization, and proof of this is the entry of Decskill in the “Inc 5000 Europe” ranking.

What are the main challenges facing technology companies in Portugal in the coming years?
In my opinion, the biggest challenges for technology companies will be at the level of Human Resources, and these challenges are associated with internal employee retraining, talent retention, and federation of global talent.

How many employees are there in the company?
We currently have approximately 200 employees.

What is the employee profile that the company seeks to recruit?
We mainly seek to recruit technological profiles, preferably with knowledge of the value chain of companies in the telecom, banking and utilities sectors.

What skills are most valued?
ASoft skills. These social and emotional intelligence skills allow people to adapt to their work environment, to work well with others, to be able to deal with others, and have a positive attitude.

Any advice you would like to leave to current and future students in the area of Information Technologies?
On a personal level, it is important for current and future students to be able to live their lives without having technological devices as a walking stick for their happiness. At a professional level, they should understand that technology is a means and not an end.

What is the main memory you have of Universidade Portucalense?
A place where I felt at home. At the time, it was my second family.