Cristina Fonseca is not confined to a single role and encompasses many functions. The Portuguese entrepreneur, born on November 14, 1987, in Ourém, Portugal, is a businesswoman, angel investor, and founder of “Talkdesk,” a cloud-based customer support software. It is a CRM (customer relationship management system) that facilitates and automates interactions between companies and their clients.
Fonseca is one of the company’s co-founders, which in 2018 became Portugal’s third “unicorn.” In business terms, a unicorn company refers to a startup that exceeds $100 million in valuation without being publicly traded. That same year, the company raised over $1 billion in Series B funding, meaning a second round of venture capital investment.
The Portuguese investor constantly works within the investment sphere and is often a venture partner. The term “angel investor” refers to individuals who invest in startups during their early stages in exchange for equity in the company. In 2018, the Ourém-born entrepreneur became a founding partner of Indico Capital Partners, a technology-focused venture capital fund targeting Spanish and Portuguese companies.
Currently, Fonseca was named among the 100 women “driving innovation” in Europe who work in venture capital. Upon receiving this recognition, she said it was “a great honor to be recognized among so many incredible women who are shaping the European startup and venture capital ecosystem.” She also commented on Europe’s growing maturity in company building and market development.
After completing primary and secondary school, Fonseca knew she wanted to study at Instituto Superior Técnico, a technology and engineering school at the University of Lisbon. “I always loved mathematics, physics, and chemistry, so I knew I would choose an engineering career,” she remarked during an interview.
During her studies, she specialized in telecommunications and network engineering and later completed an Integrated Solutions Program at a U.S. university. Today, she continues to deepen her expertise in artificial intelligence. In 2021, she achieved a milestone by joining the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders list, becoming the first Portuguese woman selected.
How Did Talkdesk, Fonseca’s Company, Emerge?
The company led by the network and AI expert was launched a few years ago with the purpose of “creating.” Fonseca developed the project with a colleague who is now the company’s CEO. During an interview, the angel investor noted that it was relatively easy to secure funding given the company’s market potential.
Talkdesk revealed that the company was born during the promotion of a U.S. competition. What followed was extraordinary for the entrepreneurs, who saw their startup become a unicorn and today offer cloud-based software support.
With frequent recognition, Fonseca advises young people that “they must be able to stand out and successfully market their products.” Her words reflect her commitment to innovation—an essential element that defines the Ourém-born entrepreneur who continues to drive Portugal and Europe’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Cristina Fonseca, A Woman Who Inspires
Fonseca stands out as one of the most influential women in venture capital, known for “innovating and driving” entrepreneurship across Europe. “Entrepreneurs who have become investors can bring unique value,” she explained, emphasizing that Europe is currently experiencing an optimal moment for investment.
The venture capitalist returned to Instituto Superior Técnico to give an interview with several students, asserting that “being an entrepreneur is something very recent in Portugal.” She also promoted her former university by highlighting “the Entrepreneurship course, which allows you to connect with the real world.”
Fonseca chose to share her awards and recognitions with young aspiring entrepreneurs to encourage them to understand “the importance of diversity and inclusion in fostering innovation and building the companies of the future.” She also emphasized the need for Portuguese professionals to improve their communication and global outreach skills.
Under these principles and many others, Cristina Fonseca has established herself as a leading figure in technology and venture capital. She continues to foster Portuguese entrepreneurship by supporting emerging businesses and inspiring the next generation of innovators. The Ourém native remains closely connected to Instituto Superior Técnico, engaging with students and constantly encouraging investment in Portugal and Europe.