Episode 1: António Poças | Incentea
Summary
António Poças and Paulo Lourosa in the studio
In this episode of the Fusões & Visões podcast with António Poças, founder and CEO of the Incentea Group - a leading name in Portugal’s information technology sector - the conversation explored his personal and professional journey, marked by sustained growth through multiple mergers and acquisitions, always keeping the focus on people and organizational culture. With a degree in Electrical Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico, António began his career in industry before moving into technology consulting and business management. Today, Incentea generates around €23 million in revenue, operates in eight countries, employs more than 350 people, and earns 28% of its revenue outside Portugal.
Throughout the episode, António explained how childhood experiences and scouting shaped his vision of participative and collaborative leadership. He shared the story of the company’s creation, initially as part of an industrial group, and emphasized the importance of management discipline from day one. One of the most defining moments was the Management Buy-Out (MBO), which allowed the team to take control and paved the way for a growth strategy based on mergers and acquisitions. He discussed the challenges faced, such as resistance from second-tier management in acquired companies, and highlighted the importance of credibility, trust, and cultural integration to ensure successful operations.
Internationalization emerged as a natural step, starting with Cape Verde in 2007 and expanding to Angola, Mozambique, and Spain, always focusing on cultural adaptation and building local teams. António also revealed ambitious plans for the coming years: to double revenue by 2028, combining organic and inorganic growth, which will require external financing and a more professionalized approach to M&A processes.
Among the key lessons, he stressed the need to genuinely believe in the project, remain humble enough to compromise when necessary, and value human integration. For António, success is not just about numbers but also about creating joint value and preserving relationships. In closing, he left a simple yet powerful message for the next generation: “Be happy and fight for it.”
Watch now on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts
Throughout the episode, António explained how childhood experiences and scouting shaped his vision of participative and collaborative leadership. He shared the story of the company’s creation, initially as part of an industrial group, and emphasized the importance of management discipline from day one. One of the most defining moments was the Management Buy-Out (MBO), which allowed the team to take control and paved the way for a growth strategy based on mergers and acquisitions. He discussed the challenges faced, such as resistance from second-tier management in acquired companies, and highlighted the importance of credibility, trust, and cultural integration to ensure successful operations.
Internationalization emerged as a natural step, starting with Cape Verde in 2007 and expanding to Angola, Mozambique, and Spain, always focusing on cultural adaptation and building local teams. António also revealed ambitious plans for the coming years: to double revenue by 2028, combining organic and inorganic growth, which will require external financing and a more professionalized approach to M&A processes.
Among the key lessons, he stressed the need to genuinely believe in the project, remain humble enough to compromise when necessary, and value human integration. For António, success is not just about numbers but also about creating joint value and preserving relationships. In closing, he left a simple yet powerful message for the next generation: “Be happy and fight for it.”
Watch now on YouTube | Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts