Exclusive Interviews with the New SPOT Nordic Team: Sérgio Dias
- SPOT Nordic
- Apr 1
- 4 min read
Our exclusive interview series continues with Sérgio Dias, treasurer at SPOT Nordic. With a career that bridges biomedical engineering, strategic consulting, and digital transformation, Sérgio has been living in Copenhagen since 2014, working with multinational companies to drive their digitalization.
Beyond his professional life, Sérgio has a deep intellectual curiosity and an appreciation for Danish culture—without ever losing his connection to Portugal. In this interview, he shares his thoughts on innovation challenges, the importance of collaboration between Portugal and the Nordic countries, and his vision for SPOT Nordic. 🚀🌍
▶️ What do you do? I lead consulting projects for multinational companies, mainly in the pharmaceutical industry, helping them leverage technology and digitalization to improve operations and align with strategic goals. Projects typically last 1 to 3 months and often start with a general idea—maybe a conversation or a PowerPoint slide—on how technology might create value. 🏢📊
My role is to translate that idea into a concrete execution plan. I lead teams in analyzing the problem within the company’s global strategy, defining possible scenarios and solutions, and building a detailed roadmap that outlines what to do, how to do it, and the expected results. I often stay involved through implementation to ensure real impact. 🎯💡
Recently, I’ve been focusing on Responsible AI Governance and strategic portfolios for digitalization and data—helping companies adopt structured and sustainable digital approaches with tangible results. 🤖📈
▶️ What’s a typical day like? My day starts with an oat milk latte, reading the news while listening to a podcast. Then I head to my office—conveniently located in Carlsberg Byen, my neighborhood—or directly to client offices. My workdays involve a mix of in-person and virtual meetings, with time blocked for research, reading, and writing related to ongoing projects. ☕📰
I usually end the day with a workout, yoga, or a run—vital for disconnecting, reflecting on decisions, and staying in shape. After dinner, I often prep or catch up on work while listening to a podcast about politics, economics, or football—interviews and tactical analysis are my favorites. ⚽📖
My days are long and require a lot of time management, but this routine allows me to balance professional focus, physical wellbeing, and intellectual curiosity. ⏳🏃
▶️ What do you value most about living in your city and country? I value the comfort and pace of life in Copenhagen. Everything works, the atmosphere is calm and quiet. Aesthetically, it’s a well-designed city thanks to continuous and thoughtful planning. 🏙️✨
I also value the career and personal development opportunities Denmark has provided me—through the unique projects and companies I’ve been part of over the past 10 years. I don’t think many countries would have made that possible. 🚀🌍
And I enjoy the more mundane pleasures too—nice cafés and restaurants, and Copenhagen’s cultural scene, from art galleries to well-curated museums that regularly feature renowned artists. 🎭🍽️
▶️ What do you now value in Portugal as an expat? Sunday lunch with family. A memory crystallized in time. Simple. 🍽️❤️
▶️ In your opinion, what are the priority areas for collaboration between Portugal and the Nordic countries? Portugal has much to learn from Denmark, especially in how R&D plays a central role in strategic sectors like life sciences and engineering—fields that have become high-value ecosystems. Portugal could tap into this model. 🔬💡
Another inspiring example is how Danish organizations invest in talent development—from business owners to technical workers. Their commitment to ongoing training significantly enhances competitiveness and resilience. 📈👥
▶️ Why did you decide to join SPOT Nordic? My motivation comes from a belief that we create more meaningful and lasting impact by engaging with our communities. SPOT Nordic caught my attention with its mission and potential—especially the chance to explore the interface between science and industry. 🔗🌍
It also felt like the right time to reconnect with the Portuguese community, offering my perspective, experience, and knowledge of both the Portuguese and Danish institutional and political landscapes. 🤝🇩🇰
▶️ How can you contribute to the SPOT Nordic team? Since joining, I’ve been responsible for SPOT Nordic’s finances, ensuring that we maintain a stable position to execute our plans. 📊💰
I’m proud to see how our budget capacity has grown, enabling impactful initiatives like grant funding and popular thematic events. This helps us fulfill SPOT Nordic’s strategic purpose and create value for the community. 🎓🎉
Of course, this success is the result of strong leadership, a dedicated team, and collective commitment. Despite being volunteers, we always show up at key moments to ensure the association keeps growing and delivering on its mission. 🤝🚀
▶️ Which SPOT Nordic projects interest you the most?
From Science to Industry 🔬🏢
Annual Events 📅🎤
Future-Focused Initiatives 💡🤔
▶️ Final message?
Maria Teresa Horta wrote a book with a profoundly symbolic title: "Minha Senhora de Mim". Beyond themes of identity and self-determination, she activated her intellectual network to amplify that message into real social and political change. 📖✨
Given her recent passing, it feels fitting to remember not only her work but also her courage and strategic vision—a legacy that continues to inspire. 🎭📚
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