Between the desire to serve and the entrepreneurial drive lies João Cotter Salvado, a central figure in the academic community of Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics. With a journey marked by a commitment to service and innovation, João Cotter Salvado has made his mark as the academic director of the Entrepreneurship Center at CATÓLICA-LISBON (CLEC), which is featured today on the "Negócios com Impacto" podcast by Renascença in partnership with CATÓLICA-LISBON.
Born and raised in Lisbon, João Cotter Salvado charted an academic path that took him to London, where he had a transformative encounter with the discipline of "Business model innovation at the bottom of the pyramid" at the London School of Economics, shaping his vision of entrepreneurship. "This course was very inspiring and defined what I do today," reflects Cotter Salvado.
His passion for service and education led him to the university world, where he found his calling as a professor. "It fulfills me to see students well-equipped and motivated to solve problems," he says. This dedication to training future entrepreneurial leaders resulted in the founding of CLEC in 2018, a milestone for CATÓLICA-LISBON.
CLEC is not just another academic center; it is the manifestation of CATÓLICA-LISBON's commitment to promoting knowledge, empowering students, and integrating with the entrepreneurial ecosystem. "CLEC is the main vehicle connecting our School to entrepreneurship," explains Cotter Salvado. "We promote excellent knowledge, empower students, and establish connections with the entrepreneurial ecosystem." This openness to the community is evident in the diversity of programs offered, from curriculum courses to pre-acceleration programs, open not only to CATÓLICA-LISBON students but also to external entrepreneurs.
The pandemic brought challenges but also growth opportunities for CLEC. "We kept creating more content and presence to serve the students," highlights João Cotter Salvado. Continuous adaptation and constant learning are fundamental values for facing challenges in a world that is constantly evolving. Looking to the future, João Cotter Salvado sees CLEC as an essential pillar in promoting entrepreneurship and innovation. "The more things change, the more CLEC will be necessary," he says.
In an environment where ideas are cultivated and supported, CLEC remains a source of inspiration for growing entrepreneurs. "The great advantage of CLEC is being a support network for those who want to develop ideas," emphasizes Cotter Salvado. It is this support that continues to drive entrepreneurs, as is the case with Glooma, one of the companies that found in CLEC the encouragement needed to expand their horizons.
Thus, João Cotter Salvado's legacy and the work of CLEC echo not only in the halls of CATÓLICA-LISBON but also in the hearts and minds of those who dare to dream and turn their dreams into reality.
João Cotter Salvado holds a PhD in Strategy and Entrepreneurship from the London Business School and is currently an Assistant Professor at Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics.