“I’m learning from people who are actually doing the work, not just from textbooks.”
Can you introduce yourself? Tell us your name, where you’re from, and a bit about your background.
My name is Inês, and I’m from Guimarães, Portugal. I have a background in life and biomedical sciences, and I’m currently pursuing a PhD in political economy.
How does your background connect with your experience here?
My background gives me a more scientific perspective, but here I’m combining it with a more industry-focused approach. I see it as a way to complement what I’m learning, especially on the entrepreneurial side. It’s helping me connect theory with real practice.
What is your experience at ABC Silicon Valley like?
I’m learning by doing and by talking to people who are actually working in the field.
It’s very different from academia, where most of the learning comes from textbooks, articles, and theory. Here, I’m learning directly from experience and from being in the environment itself.
How does this compare to your previous learning experiences?
Before, most of my entrepreneurship learning came from online courses.
Here, it’s much more practical. You get insights you can’t really find online or in books — small details, real experiences, and perspectives from people who are actively building things.
That’s something you only get by being in this kind of ecosystem.
What makes this experience unique for you?
For me, it’s the opportunity to be inside the ecosystem itself and learn from people who are living it. It broadens my perspective and helps me see different possibilities for what I can do next, beyond the academic path.
