Inspired by his brother’s difficulty in accessing quality physiotherapy after a serious road accident, Virgílio Bento developed, during his doctorate in electrical engineering at the University of Aveiro, the technology that would become the origin of Sword Health in 2013. The objective? Using artificial intelligence to facilitate access to decent healthcare. Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength until reaching unicorn status [empresas avaliadas em mais de mil milhões de dólares] in 2021, being the fastest Portuguese company ever to reach this status, currently valued at more than $4 billion (approximately €3.43 billion). With more than 30 registered patents and authorship of more than 40 scientific articles, Virgílio Bento shows no signs of wanting to stop.
Why did you choose to dedicate yourself to this ambitious idea?
Because life is too short to waste the talent given to us, in causes that do not touch humanity
Was there any difficulty that marked you?
The biggest challenge was fighting against a culture of risk aversion and aversion to those who think boldly and can change the world.
What does it mean to be among this batch of finalists?
It is above all a recognition for the Sword Health team and all the success they have achieved with their talent.
Do you consider that Portugal supports entrepreneurship in the best way?
At this moment, yes.
Where do you look in the future?
Collect solutions to problems. The bigger the problems, the greater the satisfaction of having the privilege of being able to solve them.
Favorite movie?
V for Vendetta.
Favorite food/dish?
My mother’s rice pudding at Christmas.
Challenge to Portuguese entrepreneurs?
Think of the world as destiny and be inspired by the great Portuguese discoverers. Who without means and only with their talent and courage, conquered the world.
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