We live in an era where technology sets the pace of the world, and the skills of the future seem to shape the destiny of the next generations. Pedro Teixeira, co-founder of Happy Code, understands this perfectly. Born in Lisbon 47 years ago, he dreamt from a young age of a life of service, initially imagining himself as a police officer or firefighter. However, his path took different turns, especially after discovering his passion for Economics, a discipline that captivated him.
Today, Pedro Teixeira is a central figure in the Portuguese educational system, driving innovation and the development of essential skills for the future. His commitment to positively impacting the lives of others is evident in the mission of Happy Code, a school at the forefront of preparing children for tomorrow's challenges. Happy Code is currently featured on “Negócios com Impacto,” a podcast by Renascença with CATÓLICA-LISBON.
Founded in 2017 by Pedro Teixeira and Filipe Leitão, both alumni of CATÓLICA-LISBON, Happy Code quickly became a reference in the national educational landscape. With a clear vision, this future skills school operates at the intersection of three crucial areas: technology, entrepreneurship, and social awareness. "We use technology to develop socio-emotional skills, the soft skills that we believe will make today's young people successful adults in the future," explains Pedro.
Practically speaking, Happy Code teaches programming to students aged 5 to 17. Pedro describes the school's approach as an invitation for children to learn not only programming but also to be challenged to solve real-world problems. "We teach children programming in a way that challenges them to solve world problems, problems based on the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals," he says.
Happy Code's impact is tangible, with nearly 40,000 students trained so far and a revenue of 1 million euros in 2023. However, beyond the numbers, the school's true success lies in the transformation it brings to children. Pedro fondly recalls that his own children were the first students, witnessing firsthand the enthusiasm and transformative potential of Happy Code.
The relationship between children and technology is a growing concern, and Happy Code addresses this issue head-on. Pedro Teixeira acknowledges the challenges but emphasizes the importance of finding a healthy balance. "At Happy Code, our view is that everything in excess is harmful, but if well-used, technology is not inherently bad," he highlights.
His journey, marked by a strategic partnership with CATÓLICA-LISBON, is a living testament to the transformative power of education. A graduate in Business Administration from CATÓLICA-LISBON, Pedro Teixeira emphasizes that this education provided him with the confidence needed to embrace new challenges. "Not being afraid to launch into this new idea - which is no longer new but was seven years ago. That came from a confidence that the course itself encouraged," he reflects. Thus, the story of Pedro Teixeira and Happy Code is a narrative of vision, resilience, and commitment to building a better future. In a constantly changing world, the school continues to be a guiding light, preparing children not only to face challenges but also to shape the world they wish to inhabit.