In the latest episode of the podcast "Negócios com Impacto," a partnership between CATÓLICA-LISBON and Rádio Renascença, we had the opportunity to meet Afonso Coimbra and Rui Ascenso, the founders of Sqill. This emerging company is revolutionizing how social media teams create and manage content with an innovative platform that promises to simplify the lives of social media managers.
Afonso Coimbra, 33 years old, has always had a passion for mathematics and dreamed of becoming a football player. Today, he feels fulfilled by interacting with people from different countries and building a business with a global impact. He especially appreciates his colleagues' ability to overcome obstacles, or as he puts it, "to pass through walls." Rui Ascenso, one year younger than Afonso, also dreamed of becoming a football player or a lifeguard. Influenced by a Portuguese teacher in the eighth grade, Rui finds fulfillment through interacting with people. He values courage and joy for life in his colleagues.
Sqill, founded in 2021 in Lisbon and currently headquartered in Coimbra, is the result of a shared vision and an emerging need in the social media market. Afonso and Rui identified that social media managers, previously focused on metrics analysis, now need to create content quickly and effectively. Sqill's platform enables social media teams to create, edit, and publish content directly from their mobile phones, using advanced video technology and artificial intelligence. "Our clients who collaborate with us have access to our platform, our technology, and from there they can not only communicate and orchestrate but also create all the content, which then goes to different platforms," explains Rui. Sqill does not create content for brands; instead, it provides the necessary tools for them to do so efficiently and in line with current social media trends. The platform has been well-received, especially among major brands in Portugal and internationally. Among their clients are TikTok accounts of some football first division’ clubs, Sonae, the Paulista Football Federation, and even L'Oreal. Internationalization is a clear goal for Sqill, which already operates in four different countries and aspires to global expansion.
The integration of artificial intelligence at Sqill raises questions about its impact on the job market, but Afonso and Rui are clear: "We believe that the concern should be for those who do not work with artificial intelligence; they will actually be replaced by those who do." For them, machines are not here to take jobs away but to enhance the efficiency and creativity of human teams.
Rui and Afonso emphasize the crucial importance of CATÓLICA-LISBON in their journeys. Rui highlights that the university was not only fundamental in their individual formation but also provided the space and platform where they met, formed friendships, and developed the "bug" of creating something together. Afonso adds that CATÓLICA-LISBON "brought the world" to him and opened horizons, offering comparisons with the best worldwide and enabling experiences that were previously unthinkable, such as his Erasmus in Hong Kong. He further emphasizes that CATÓLICA-LISBON made him realize the importance of behavioral skills and the stories we tell, in addition to technical knowledge. This integrated approach to education was essential for their professional and personal development, preparing them for the challenges of the global market.
The story of Afonso Coimbra and Rui Ascenso, driven by CATÓLICA-LISBON, is an inspiring example of how innovation and perseverance can turn challenges into opportunities. With Sqill, they have revolutionized how brands create content on social media while demonstrating that collaboration, adaptation, and passion are essential for success. Sqill's global ambition reflects the vision of these two entrepreneurs who continue to expand the horizons of the digital market, always maintaining a human touch in their interactions and creations.