World Talents is a company that connects world-class entrepreneurs and businesses with local universities and startup ecosystems. Through its talent mobility programs and pioneering initiatives, it unlocks opportunities for growth, expansion, and innovation. The company currently offers programs in Portugal, Canada, Spain, the UAE, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Pulse 2.0 interviewed World Talents Co-Founder and Director Bernardo Saraiva to gain a deeper understanding of the company.
Bernardo Saraiva’s Background
What is Bernardo Saraiva’s background? Saraiva said:
“I was a former professional athlete competing on the ATP Tour across all continents and a member of the Portuguese National Team and Olympic Committee. I have a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from the University of San Francisco, which allowed me to help Silicon Valley startups expand into Europe and to advise international entrepreneurs on fundraising and navigating the U.S. market.”
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for World Talents come together? Saraiva shared:
“I was living between the U.S. and Portugal, and while traveling during my competition years and later for business meetings, I understood quite well how challenging it can be to move across jurisdictions, but also how the number of opportunities increases. It became clear to me that supporting entrepreneurs in establishing themselves across the globe could have a profound impact, not only on their ventures but also on local economies.”
“This vision began to take shape with Tim, World Talents’ founder, whose extensive track record in investment migration created the strategic foundation for the company and programs we’re developing. We set out to create programs that empower entrepreneurs to establish themselves internationally while driving meaningful local impact.”
Responsibilities At The Company
What are your primary responsibilities at the company? Saraiva pointed out:
“Initially, I was involved in designing programs that integrate entrepreneurs into thriving ecosystems, leveraging their knowledge and experience to create lasting economic and social value. Particularly, the creation of the Global Talent Portugal program, which bridges global entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors with the Portuguese university and startup ecosystem.”
“This year, I’m primarily focused on overseeing operations in Portugal while driving adoption of the Global Talent Portugal program and streamlining collaboration processes with our partners, including universities and incubators.”
Differentiation From The Competition
Can you explain what makes World Talents’ approach unique? Saraiva affirmed:
“There are two very specific points.”
“First, we recognized early on that talent mobility was shifting from a purely financial play to an impact and expertise-driven model. Ultimately, we’re driving positive impact on the global economy, rather than focusing on the more traditional pathways that center on passive investment. Because of this, we’ve designed pioneering programs.”
“Second, our processes are remarkably streamlined. What this means in practice is that we’ve developed a proprietary system to support our clients in establishing themselves in Portugal. We provide a clear and more predictable path for their residency and passport journey, as well as their collaboration and mentorship efforts. This is something current industry practices don’t account for. Plus, we’re truly involved in the journey; we understand firsthand what it takes to move along with your family, establish business relationships, and maybe even find a soccer team for your kids.”
Choosing Portugal
Why are entrepreneurs choosing Portugal and your program? Saraiva replied:
“The Global Talent Portugal program is unique in that it creates a win-win for all participants involved. Universities receive funding and expertise, and entrepreneurs tap directly into the local ecosystem and infrastructure.”
“Generally, people are fond of Portugal for the most well-known reasons: it’s a friendly and welcoming country, with fantastic culture, weather, and food. But when they get to know it better and become acquainted with local universities and startups, they are often surprised by the quality and potential of the ecosystem. It’s the perfect blend of quality of life and business opportunities. The ecosystem is actually witnessing its largest growth in recent years: it grew over 16% year-over-year, reaching over 4,700 active startups spanning industries from fintech to renewable energy.”
“The country also offers seamless access to 450 million EU consumers while maintaining strong ties to Brazil, Africa, and other Portuguese-speaking markets, representing over 260 million additional consumers. This has become quite appealing to many entrepreneurs who want to expand their market reach.”
Entrepreneur Qualifications
What types of entrepreneurs do you typically work with? Saraiva emphasized:
“We work with entrepreneurs and researchers across several fields, including technology, venture capitalism, banking and finance, as well as the medical sectors. What’s most striking about them is that they are highly ambitious and driven to positively impact the Portuguese ecosystem. We see more and more how they are focused on developing projects in the country, rather than pursuing the traditional pathways of passive investment.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory or most rewarding moment at World Talents? Saraiva reflected:
“When we introduce our clients to local universities and discuss the projects, research, and innovation they’re working on, there’s always a moment during the meeting where you can feel the energy build up, and everyone gets excited about what they can accomplish together. There’s this feeling of “Wow, I can actually contribute to this project. My expertise will be truly impactful.” This is a very rewarding moment.”
“I remember when we hosted a meeting between a Google executive and the University of Coimbra. His feedback was very candid; he really didn’t know what to expect. When he left the meeting, he was truly surprised by how everything was flowing and the possibilities for collaboration.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of World Talents’ most significant milestones? Saraiva cited:
“We’ve facilitated over €2.8 million in international investment in R&D. This is a substantial amount considering it’s been injected into the Portuguese university ecosystem and research projects, which are typically underfunded compared to more traditional equity investment. We’ve also attracted over 100 entrepreneurs to the country, who have become invaluable to the startup ecosystem not only through investment but also mentorship.”
Portugal’s Appeal
How has Portugal’s appeal as a destination for tech entrepreneurs evolved since you launched? Saraiva noted:
“The main change is that Portugal is consolidating its position as a tech and innovation hub, and the infrastructure is maturing. It spans traditional industries like software development while also disrupting sectors like FinTech, Blockchain, and AI. It’s more active than it’s ever been.”
Success Stories
Can you share any specific success stories of entrepreneurs you’ve helped successfully establish themselves in Portugal? Saraiva highlighted:
“We have many success stories, but I can highlight a few: An American entrepreneur who currently manages a NASDAQ-listed company valued at approximately $700 million. He has also led several companies as CEO and chairman and has a solid history of building and selling his own businesses in sectors such as software, medical devices, and energy engineering.”
“An Indian entrepreneur with extensive experience in creating and managing software companies has played a key role as a mentor at the University of Algarve. Through this collaboration, he has directly supported local startups in their projects, sharing knowledge and helping them grow. His presence has been a significant asset to the Algarve region and its entrepreneurial landscape.”
“A Japanese entrepreneur has been working to promote academic exchange between Japan and Portugal. His main goal is to facilitate the arrival of Japanese students at Portuguese universities, fostering the internationalization of higher education. This work has opened new opportunities for collaboration between the two nations, positively impacting both academic diversity and the appeal of Portuguese universities.”
Goals For Expansion
What are World Talents’ goals for expanding the Global Talent Portugal program? Saraiva explained:
“There are two specific areas of growth we’re focused on in the short to medium term. First, we want to continue expanding our network of university and institutional partners, including incubators and accelerators, which will increase the number of opportunities and sectors our program participants can engage with.”
“Second, we want to continue working with our current university partners to streamline collaboration processes that will lead to several projects with real-world impact, from research and mentorship to investment.”
Expansion To Other Countries
Are you planning to expand to other countries or develop additional mobility programs? Saraiva concluded:
“At this point, we already offer specific programs in jurisdictions like Canada, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, and the UAE. But our Global Talent Portugal program has witnessed remarkable growth, and we generally see the biggest interest among global entrepreneurs who want to establish themselves in Europe. We’re applying the concept and all the learnings from its success to other jurisdictions, with our main focus always being on bridging opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and local ecosystems.”
