MAKER ENGINEER INNOVATOR ENTREPRENEUR

João Melo Rodrigues
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The Journey

1991
Born in Alentejo
Évora, Portugal

Born in Alentejo

I grew up in a small town near Évora, where my gradma had a small grocery store. Altough I had suffered from bullying, I had a great childhood and a great family and friends.

2013
Évora, Portugal

Becomes Mechatronics Engineer

Graduated from University of Évora with a degree in Mechatronics Engineering. I started my career as a Mechatronics Engineer, working with robotics, electronics, mechanics, automation and software.

Becomes Mechatronics Engineer
2014
Becomes Fablab Manager
Évora, Portugal

Becomes Fablab Manager

I became the manager of the Fablab Évora, a space where I could learn and share my knowledge with others. I was responsible for the day to day operations of the Fablab, including the management of the team, the equipment and the projects.

2017
Évora, Portugal

Founded Dotesfera

I started my own company, Dotesfera. A digital agency that provided digital solutions around Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality to enterprises.

Founded Dotesfera
2018
Founded Cyango
Évora, Portugal

Founded Cyango

Meanwhile I started another company, Cyango. With the focus building a SaaS for storytelling virtual tours. Later it escalated to something bigger.

2020
Home, Quarentine

The Pivot Year

COVID was tough. It represented a change in my personality and my startup. While others saw crisis, I saw opportunity. Pivoted to digital-first solutions and discovered the power of remote collaboration.

The Pivot Year
2021
Sunny Lisbon & Startup Lisboa
Lisbon, Portugal

Sunny Lisbon & Startup Lisboa

After winning the Startup Lisboa competition, I moved to Lisbon to be closer to the startup community. COVID gates still havent't been lifted, but I was meeting new people like never before.

2023
Madrid, Spain

Met the love

Believe it or not this was a change in my life. Meeting my girlfriend in Madrid made me move from Lisbon to Leiria, Portugal.

Met the love
2024
Cyango acquired by Spotside
Coimbra, Portugal

Cyango acquired by Spotside

It was a tough year, and the company was almost going bankrupt. It felt like a miracle to find such a good match with Spotside, the acquiring company. Our product and team matched perfectly with their line of products and business.