Portugal Ventures, the venture capital company of the Banco Português de Fomento Group, begins a new cycle today with the appointment of its new Board of Directors, who will lead the institution for the 2025–2027 term. This transition reinforces Portugal Ventures’ mission as one of the country’s most relevant equity investment instruments, supporting the development of the Portuguese business ecosystem.
With renewed leadership and strategy, Portugal Ventures is now positioned to become an even closer and more agile partner, better prepared to support and project the future of Portuguese companies.
New Management Team
The new Board of Directors is composed of:
- Marco Neves, President
- João Paulo Miranda, Vice-President
- Carla Areias, Executive Board Member
Marco Neves takes over as CEO of Portugal Ventures, bringing more than three decades of experience in the financial sector, having led banking institutions, investment companies and public entities. He previously served as Vice-President of the Board of Directors of Parpública, S.A., and President of the Executive Committee of Lisgarante, while also serving as Executive Director at Garval and Norgarante. He has also held executive roles at Banco Português de Fomento and SPGM, with responsibilities spanning credit risk, asset management, guarantees and business development. His career additionally includes management positions at Novo Banco and Banco Espírito Santo, in areas such as private equity and corporate and institutional banking. He holds a degree in Business Management from Instituto Superior de Gestão and has complemented his education with postgraduate and executive programmes at institutions such as INSEAD and Nova SBE. Recognised for his leadership and negotiation capabilities, he has been a member of several investment committees and is a member of the INSEAD Alumni Association Portugal.
“We want to strengthen our proximity to companies, playing a strategic role in the development of their projects and consolidating Portugal Ventures as a partner of excellence, combining knowledge, experience and close engagement to create value for the economy. We begin this mandate with confidence and a strong sense of mission, determined to place our full potential at the service of innovation, sustainable growth and the portuguese business fabric.”
João Paulo Miranda, is a senior financial sector executive with more than 15 years of experience in business strategy, banking products, CRM, finance and digital transformation. He previously served as Marketing Director at Banco Atlântico Europa, leading product lifecycle management and brand strategy, contributing to growth in the customer base and digital adoption. At Millennium BCP, he held several senior positions, including Director of Savings and Investment Products, Director of Planning and CRM, Director of Treasury and SME & Corporate Payments, and International Strategy Consultant, leading innovation, digitalisation and expansion projects in multiple markets. With international experience in Poland, Turkey, Romania, Greece and the United States, he was also Director of Financial Planning at Millennium BIM in Mozambique. He holds a degree in Business Administration from Boston University and is fluent in Portuguese and English.
“ The market’s confidence in Portugal Ventures reinforces our growth ambition and our central role in developing the venture capital sector. We aim to combine strategic vision with rigorous execution, working alongside those who transform ideas into real growth.”
Carla Areias, as an Executive Board Member, brings more than 25 years of solid experience in financial management, having held leadership roles in major companies in the field of asset management and regulated entities. She most recently served as CFO at Atila Unipessoal, Lda., the Portuguese entity of the AFE S.A. SICAV-RAIF fund, ensuring local financial reporting and operational reporting of investments in several European countries under the Veld Group and, more recently, Arrow Global. She was also Chief Financial Officer at Whitestar Asset Solutions, where she led teams of up to 30 people, overseeing internal control, collections management and financial reporting, including to the Bank of Portugal and CMVM. She participated in securitisation processes and their systems implementation, due diligence procedures and integration into the group’s financial transformation programme. She holds a degree in Taxation from ISCAL and an Executive Master’s in Accounting from INDEG-ISCTE, and is fluent in Portuguese, English, German and French.
“Financial sustainability and rigorous management are essential pillars of our performance. We are committed to ensuring the efficiency of the funds under management, as well as the robustness and transparency of the processes that underpin our impact.”
Strategic Guidelines
For the 2025–2027 period, the new leadership has defined an action plan based on six key pillars: strengthening internal capabilities, enhancing organisational culture, reviewing governance structures, modernising processes, reconfiguring funds under management and setting a renewed strategic ambition to support the national business fabric.
Portugal Ventures reaffirms its commitment to impact investment, value creation and the sustainable growth of Portuguese companies, positioning itself as an active and strategic partner in the development of the national economy.
