Technical Working Committee
Meet the members of Cabo Verde’s Startup Act Technical Working Committee, a diverse team of entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, academics, and ecosystem leaders committed to shaping a more inclusive and dynamic business environment. Brought together under the Digital Cabo Verde Project with support from the World Bank, i4Policy, and Miranda & Associados, this group plays a pivotal advisory role in the development of the Cabo Verde Startup Act. Their collective expertise ensures that the legislation is grounded in local realities, aligned with global best practices, and designed to empower startups and entrepreneurs across the country.
Diogo Curado Moeda
Diogo Curado Moeda is a Gestor at Unitek, where he leads teams and projects in a highly dynamic and innovative environment, focusing on the development and implementation of technology-based solutions to address market challenges. With 15 years of experience in entrepreneurship and innovation, Diogo has contributed to notable projects such as the implementation of the largest Business Incubation Center in the country (BIC), the National Network of Innovation Incubators (RENII), and the creation of Unitek itself.
He is particularly passionate about developing business models tailored to market needs. Diogo holds a degree in Gestão (Management) and a postgraduate specialization in Empreendedorismo e Gestão de Negócios (Entrepreneurship and Business Management).
Leida Correia e Silva
Leida Correia e Silva is the Founder and CEO of KORU, a Cabo Verdean fintech building Africa’s first Financial Passport by integrating decentralized identity, stablecoins, and inclusive digital wallets. Based in Cabo Verde, Leida leads cross-border financial innovation that connects the diaspora, promotes financial inclusion, and strengthens digital sovereignty in African markets.
She began her career as a Mechanical Maintenance Engineer at ASA – Aeroportos e Segurança Aérea, working at the international airports of Sal and Praia for over five years, before transitioning into fintech in 2022. Her engineering background and experience in critical infrastructure now fuel her mission to redesign access through inclusive digital finance.
She holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Wenzhou University (China), is a UN IGF Youth Ambassador for Cabo Verde, Programs Manager at Women in Tech Cabo Verde, and a 2024 Forbes Lusophone Africa 30 Under 30 honoree.
Nilda Silva Mendes
Nilda Silva Mendes is an Innovation strategist and Ecosystem Builder at Unitek, a leading innovation lab and venture platform in Cabo Verde. There she leads initiatives focused on digital talent development, startup acceleration and ecosystem strengthening. With over a decade of experience in entrepreneurship support, business incubation and innovation policy, Nilda is currently leading the structuring of a Training Center for Innovation and Technology and has played a central role in designing and implementing national programs – including startups bootcamps, Cabo Verde’s national incubator network and entrepreneurship programs.
She is particularly passionate about inclusive digital transformation, youth empowerment and building sustainable innovation ecosystems. Nilda holds a bachelor’s in Business Administration and specialized training in Digital Innovation Leadership and Business incubation management.
Ivandro Pina
Ivandro Pina is the CEO of Skrin – Digital Studio and a multidisciplinary professional with a strong track record in the digital sector and social innovation in Cape Verde. With over 11 years of experience as a Product Manager and UI/UX Designer, he has led impactful projects in both national and international startup environments. He is the creator of the app Bocadurna and the web series Foradurna, where he combines technology, design, and content production to promote active citizenship.
Ivandro holds a degree in Information Technologies and Multimedia from the Escola Superior de Tecnologias de Castelo Branco in Portugal. Throughout his career, he has been recognized with the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award at the Somos Cabo Verde Awards (2016) and received an honourable mention in the category of Best Social Inclusion Project at the Cape Verde Digital Awards 2024.
Kesia Lima
Kesia Lima is an Executive Board Member at Techpark CV, where she oversees Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Training & Certification, Events & Programming and Project Monitoring. With 7 years of experience in building and operating Innovation Centers worldwide, Kesia has contributed to the design of Innovation Centers in Japan, Netherlands, US and now is contributing for the launch and operational foundation of Cabo Verde Technology Park.
She is particularly passionate about advocating and building more diverse and inclusive innovation ecosystems worldwide. Master Degree in both Architecture and Business Administration with a Certification on Innovation Management. Recognized as a Young African Leader by the US Department of State.
Loide Monteiro
Loide Monteiro is the CEO of Nos Zona Smart Lda, where she is leading the development of a smart city model for Africa, showcasing the future of urban living through the 4S Cities concept (Smart, Sustainable, Safe, and Smiling). She is responsible for managing and coordinating the team for the development and implementation of this pioneering project in Cabo Verde, with the ambition to replicate the model across Africa.
With more than 25 years of entrepreneurial experience in city planning and development, Loide has been at the forefront of smart city innovation in Cabo Verde. Since 2018, her company has been leading initiatives focused on smart urban solutions, youth training, and incubation programs aimed at developing innovative city solutions. These efforts have contributed to the creation of the smart city model and its upcoming prototype implementation in collaboration with various national and international partners.
Loide is particularly passionate about innovation and the development of practical solutions to address urban challenges. She has authored articles published in international books on smart cities and holds several leadership roles, including Vice President of the ECOWAS Small Business Coalition, President of Cabo Verde and Diaspora Women Entrepreneurs, and Founder and President of the Cabo Verde Smart City Foundation.
Rui Levy
Rui Levy is an experienced consultant specializing in private sector development and entrepreneurship, with over 20 years of experience in Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and Portugal. An economist with a postgraduate degree in quality management, he is currently pursuing a PhD in global development and sustainability, focusing on the digital economy and artificial intelligence.
Rui has coordinated several UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) programs, supporting industrial development and entrepreneurship in Africa. As the founder and first President of the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Cape Verde (AJEC) and the creator of the country’s first business incubator, he has played a pivotal role in building the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Currently serving as the President of the Association of Business Angels of Cape Verde (ABAC), Rui actively fosters angel investing and startup growth in the region. His research and professional interests include sustainable development, economics, innovation, and Industry 4.0.
Rui is also a member of Rotary International and a strong advocate for civil society initiatives.
Marcos Querido Varela Ferreira
Marcos Querido Varela Ferreira is a CEO at DOUTVISIONS, Lda, where he cares about future projects, with 15 years of experience in entrepreneurship, innovation, law, public policy, and has contributed to notable achievements or projects.
He is particularly passionate about innovation and evolution. Graduated in Multimedia / CEO DOUTVISIONS (currently) / Commercial Administrator NACV (currently) / Startups Founder.
Adilson Gomes
Adilson Gomes has a degree in Theatre (Production) from the Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema (ESTC, Amadora, Portugal) and a Master's degree, still to be completed, in Entrepreneurship and Cultural Studies (specialising in Creative Industries and Entertainment) from ISCTE-IUL.
Between 2017 and 2023, he was General Director of Arts and Creative Industries, responsible for spaces such as the Ildo Lobo Palace of Culture, the Jorge Barbosa National Auditorium. Amilcar Cabral Memorial and the Mindelo Cultural Centre, as well as coordinating the Cesária Évora Academy of Arts and the National Film Centre.
Mentor and teacher of UNI-CV's CESP courses (Management of Artistic and Cultural Projects and Institutions and Cultural Production), he actively collaborated in the creation and implementation of these pioneering courses in Cape Verde.
He participated in the drafting of the Law on the Status of the Artist and was a member of Cabo Verde's organising committee for Expo 2020 Dubai.
Passionate about creativity, technology and the creative economy, he currently works as Executive Administrator at the Institute for Business Support and Promotion (Pró Empresa), where he is responsible for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and the Communication and Image Department.
Samir Pereira
Samir Pereira é Consultor de Inovação e Negócios, Fundador & Diretor Executivo da Cheetah Start, Gestor do Programa TUI Futureshaper Cabo Verde e Gestor de Projetos na PD Consult. Com mais de 15 anos de experiência em gestão de projetos, planeamento estratégico e inovação de modelos de negócio, Samir possui um historial comprovado na liderança de projetos complexos, no fomento do empreendedorismo e na construção de comunidades de inovação em Cabo Verde.
Fundou e expandiu a Cheetah Start, uma ONG focada em inovação, mobilizando mais de 100 voluntários e organizando mais de 50 programas, incluindo aceleradoras de negócios, hackathons e workshops de formação. Geriu também o Business Incubation Center (BIC), desenvolveu o seu currículo e prestou serviços de consultoria a um portfólio diversificado de clientes, desenvolvendo modelos de negócio personalizados e estratégias de crescimento. Samir é particularmente apaixonado por fomentar a colaboração, fornecer soluções transformadoras e capacitar empreendedores. Apresenta uma sólida formação em gestão de negócios, complementada por uma vasta formação em metodologias de inovação e empreendedorismo.